Preageing of the skin among Asian populations

Abstract

Skin ageing is a complex process. Both intrinsic and extrinsic factors have a role in determining the speed, progression and phenotypic outcomes of the process. Typical clinical signs of ageing, such as wrinkles, thinning and sagging of the skin, are usually first noticed in the mid‐20s to early 30s. However, real‐world studies report that younger Asian women between the ages of 18 and 24 years are perceiving emerging signs of ageing, including dull skin, uneven skin tone, dryness, transient wrinkles, and a lack of skin firmness. These observations have led to a hypothesis that a phase of preageing may exist, where clinical signs of ageing are not yet present, but an individual starts to notice subtle changes in their skin's appearance. This paper discusses the concept of preageing in Asian populations and provides recommendations for recognising and managing the preageing process in clinical practice.

Perception, understanding, and association between psychological stress and skin aging: Quantitative surveys of Asian women aged 18–34 years, dermatologists, and psychologists in China and Japan

“…However, increased exposure to environmental pollutants, sun (ultraviolet light), and lifestyle factors such as poor sleep, stress, smoking, and nutrition, contributes to increased inflammation, oxidative stress, and DNA damage within the skin also in early life. [4][5][6] Based on this, a new concept, referred to as preaging skin, has emerged that has been described as self-perceived signs of skin aging appearing in the early 20s-30s, mainly among women. 4 Psychological stress is highly prevalent in modern societies, reflecting education, work, financial, and family pressures facing young women.…”

“…[4][5][6] Based on this, a new concept, referred to as preaging skin, has emerged that has been described as self-perceived signs of skin aging appearing in the early 20s-30s, mainly among women. 4 Psychological stress is highly prevalent in modern societies, reflecting education, work, financial, and family pressures facing young women. Recent events, including the COVID-19 epidemic, have also had a profound impact on psychological stress, especially in younger adults.…”

“…9,10 Prolonged activation of these pathways can result in chronic immune dysfunction, increased production of reactive oxygen species, and DNA damage, leading to the aging of skin and other related tissues, a process that has been termed inflammaging. 4,6,[9][10][11] Despite a better understanding of the pathophysiologic processes involved in skin aging, it is currently unclear how young women and healthcare professionals understand the association between stress and aging. Furthermore, it is uncertain whether their perceptions are consistent with the actual pathophysiology of stress-related skin aging or inflammation.…”

“…These changes could be driven by a multitude of physiological processes and pathological intrinsic and extrinsic factors such as air pollution and sun exposure. However, increased exposure to environmental pollutants, sun (ultraviolet light), and lifestyle factors such as poor sleep, stress, smoking, and nutrition, contributes to increased inflammation, oxidative stress, and DNA damage within the skin also in early life 4–6 . Based on this, a new concept, referred to as preaging skin, has emerged that has been described as self‐perceived signs of skin aging appearing in the early 20s–30s, mainly among women 4 …”

“…Psychological stress is a response to external or internal factors that induces a variety of physiological changes through neural and endocrine processes, including inflammation 9,10 . Prolonged activation of these pathways can result in chronic immune dysfunction, increased production of reactive oxygen species, and DNA damage, leading to the aging of skin and other related tissues, a process that has been termed inflammaging 4,6,9–11 …”