The Role of Genetics & Skin Type

Scientists have found that genetics play a large role in determining the outcome of many features of our body such as eye color, hair color, height, and personality. Our genes, which are made up of DNA, determine the characteristics of our living bodies. Scientists have estimated the human body houses 20,000 - 25,000 different genes. They determine everything from the shape of our bodies to our ability to digest and process certain nutrients. With DNA affecting almost every aspect of our body, one may wonder what role it plays with our skin type. If we are genetically programmed to have more acne or drier skin than others, is it still something worth fighting? The answer is yes. Although our genes can affect our bodies drastically, the advancement of topical products and skin supplements along with lasers and cosmetic procedures can keep your skin as healthy as someone with perfect genes.

Your DNA can cause skin problems affecting tone and appearance along with more harmful disorders such as skin cancer by genetic mutations. When genes are working properly, they work to control your body's ability to produce new skin cells. When older skin cells die, your body needs to replace them. However, when a mutated gene does not function correctly, the message sent to your body to produce new skin cells could be lost. This can cause cells to grow at a rapid rate causing problems such as a build-up of acne or early-age wrinkling.

Your DNA is passed to you through your family. If your family has skin issues like acne, freckles, dry skin or skin cancer, you can have a higher chance of all of those issues. However, the DNA that affects your skin is not as black and white as one may think. Proper prevention and skincare can eliminate many skin irregularities caused by your DNA.

Proper maintenance starts with these basic steps:

Drink Plenty of Water

Nothing is better for the body, especially your skin, then drinking a lot of water every day. It keeps skin hydrated and promotes the loss of dead skin cells.It is also helpful to hydrate the skin from the outside in. Hyaluronic acid is a great ingredient to use as it holds 1000x its weight in water.

Use Sunscreen

One of the biggest causes for damaged skin is too many UV rays. Over 80% of the visible signs of aging are caused by exposure to the sun. Use sunscreen that protects from UVA and UVB of SPF 15 every day. Sunscreens should be reapplied every 2 hours if out in the sun.

Avoid Smoking

Smoking should be avoided to prevent skin damage. Internal supplements and use of topical anti-oxidants are recommended for those who choose to smoke. This will help to protect the skin from further damage caused by toxic chemicals in cigarettes that can lead to congestion within the pores.

Limit Alcohol

Drinking alcohol may cause a lack of hydration that can be visible on the skin. For this reason, cutting back on dehydrating substances and increasing water intake is vital for healthy skin. It is recommended that a person drink 8-10 glasses of water a day, as well as an additional 2 glasses for every glass of alcohol.

If your skin continues to be an issue, seek a doctor or skin care professional for proactive solutions to treat the situation. Lasers and chemical peels may rejuvenate skin and help produce collagen needed for healthier, younger looking skin. As some procedures can have side effects, it is always best to consult your physician before any surgeries or treatment is performed.