What is Epigenetics?
Epigenetics primarily refers to a naturally occurring biological modification of DNA by adding a chemical tag to DNA sequences, which will switch genes on and off without changes to the underlying DNA sequence. Epigenetics essentially affects how genes are read by cells, and subsequently how they produce proteins.
- Epigenetics Controls Genes. Epigenetics can be influenced by the environment, causing genes to be silenced (inactive) or expressed (active) over time.
- Epigenetics is Everywhere. Aging, disease, diet, exercise, chemical exposure, and even social interaction can cause eventual chemical modifications around the genes that will turn those genes on or off over time. Hazardous environmental effects or unhealthy lifestyle can lead to various genes being switched to the opposite state, away from the normal state.
- Epigenetics Makes Us Unique. With the myriad combinations of gene states, epigenetics adds a complex layer of uniqueness to each individual’s physiological and psychological makeup. Moreover, there has been evidence that some epigenetic effects can be inherited, further emphasizing its importance.
- Epigenetics is Reversible. As epigenetic change refers to the addition of chemical tags to the DNA sequence, which can be written (adding the tag), read (recognizing the tag), and erased (removing the tag) by different regulatory proteins and enzymes. Thus, epigenetics is dynamic and reversible and can be regulated by the intervention of medicine, affected by lifestyle, and many other environmental factors.
Gene promoter silencing caused by the epigenetic mechanism DNA methylation. (Credit: Karina Zillner)
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Only Epigenetics Can Determine Skin Quality Dynamics
Skin quality and aesthetics, especially for the face and hands, are reflected as a youthful appearance and determined by the following key factors: aging, firmness & elasticity, moisture retention, sun protection, skin rejuvenation, sensitivity response, anti-oxidation, and pigmentation. All of these factors are greatly affected by the exposure of one’s skin to the environment and are epigenetically controlled/regulated. Environment stimuli such as pollution, chemicals, and smoking will cause an epigenetic change (i.e., DNA methylation) in genes related to one or more factors mentioned above in skin cells, which leads to gene inactivation at different degrees. Because of this, each person’s skin undergoes different dynamic changes through interaction with different environment stimuli, thereby making each individual’s skin quality truly unique.
Identical twins have the exact same genetic sequence, yet will have entirely different DNA methylation levels, which can be reflected in the skin quality.
Epigenetics is the Ideal Determinant for Skincare Product Application
Epigenetics corresponds to the ever-changing aspects of skin quality during one’s entire life. Most existing skincare products contain active ingredients which epigenetically target one or more skin quality affecting factors such as anti-oxidation. Product ingredient information are indexed by EpigenCare from publicly available market information and databases, and do not require any sort of corporate partnerships to generate ingredient information. Additionally, some new products that are specifically aimed at epigenetic intervention of skin quality such as aging are being developed. As each person’s skin type is mainly dependent on his or her epigenetic status and such epigenetic status can be dynamically changed in response to different environmental stimuli, only epigenetic profiling of a person’s skin can critically determine the selection of which skincare products are optimally suited to him or her.