Recently, the highly reputable Mayo Clinic, a leading American research hospital recognized worldwide, announced research findings that "aged skin cells" can cause other cells to age, similar to "zombie cells." The research team transplanted aged skin cells from elderly mice into healthy mice. As a result, not only the skin but also other organs such as muscles and the brain showed signs of aging. The peripheral and cognitive functions of the healthy mice declined.

 

Aging does not discriminate between animal species. Humans also grow older day by day. Unlike yesterday, today's skin becomes more dull and wrinkled. Could it be that aging human skin cells also act like 'zombie cells,' as in previous experiments? Director Jeong Jin-ho of Seoul National University's Institute for Aging and the Elderly (Department of Dermatology) said, "That is possible," and added, "Maintaining healthy and youthful skin helps preserve a clear mind, proper judgment, and a peaceful heart."

Skin cells are similar to brain cells and ancestors.

 

The skin is a more sophisticated protective barrier than we think. It does not merely serve as a physical 'shield' against external environments. When the skin barrier detects environmental factors that seem harmful to our body, such as high ultraviolet rays or low humidity, it produces various bioactive substances, including hormones and immune molecules. These substances then travel through the bloodstream to various organs, including the brain, and exert their effects. The bioactive substances produced by the skin are extremely diverse. In fact, it even produces brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a neurotransmitter typically made by brain cells, unlike other organs. This is because the skin originates from ectodermal cells, just like the brain, when the fertilized egg is first formed. Director Jung Jin-ho stated, "The impact of aging skin is significant, which is why the field of 'senolytics,' drugs that selectively eliminate aging cells, has been actively researched for a long time," and "the government is also providing research funding to teams conducting related studies."

 

Elderly who do not use moisturizers experience faster cognitive decline

 

In humans, dry skin and skin damaged by ultraviolet rays can impair cognitive function. In dry environments, the skin thickens the stratum corneum to retain moisture and increases lipid synthesis. During this process, inflammatory cells called 'cytokines' are produced. Professor Hong Ji-yeon of the Department of Dermatology at Chung-Ang University Hospital explained, "When aging cells accumulate overall, the formation of the stratum corneum becomes less effective, leading to increased production of inflammatory substances like cytokines. These substances travel through the bloodstream to the brain, causing mild inflammatory responses and potentially accelerating aging phenomena elsewhere." This has been proven through clinical research.

 

Professor Maoqiang Man's research team at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine observed elderly individuals over 3 to 4 years, comparing those who used moisturizers with those who did not, to examine the levels of inflammatory substances in the blood and the rate of cognitive decline. As a result, elderly individuals who did not use moisturizers had higher levels of inflammatory substances in their blood, and their cognitive function declined at a much faster rate.

Director Jeong Jin-ho said, "Even if you haven't applied moisturizer so far, consistently using moisturizer can reduce cytokine levels in the blood," and added, "It's good to apply a moisturizer containing cholesterol, ceramide, and fatty acids in a 1:1:1 ratio about twice a day." If the skin is dry and itchy, it can be applied 3 to 4 times a day.

 

◇Eye damage is caused by UV exposure... metabolic diseases are also at risk

 

When the skin is exposed to ultraviolet rays, the stress hormone cortisol is synthesized. When this substance travels through the bloodstream to the brain, it can inhibit neurogenesis in the hippocampus, which is responsible for memory. Professor Jung Jin-ho stated, "Animal experiments have proven that UV exposure not only increases cortisol but also excessively raises neurotransmitters such as dopamine, which can reduce memory and even induce depression."

 

Exposure to ultraviolet rays can increase the risk of metabolic diseases. Ultraviolet rays inhibit lipid synthesis in the subcutaneous fat layer, causing excess lipids consumed to eventually accumulate as visceral fat. Research by the Jeong Jin-ho research team found that skin exposed to ultraviolet rays had about a 50% reduction in subcutaneous fat compared to unexposed skin. All types of exposure, whether chronic or intense, suppressed subcutaneous lipid synthesis. While subcutaneous fat has little effect on insulin hormone function that regulates blood sugar, visceral fat reduces insulin function. If blood sugar is not properly controlled, the risk of developing type 2 diabetes increases.

 

Professor Jeong Jin-ho said, "The more elderly people are, the more their cheek fat diminishes, which is also due to chronic UV exposure suppressing subcutaneous fat production." He explained, "Ultraviolet rays also reduce the production of a beneficial substance called adiponectin, which is produced by fat cells in the skin." Adiponectin is a protein composed of 244 amino acids, and a deficiency in this substance can lead to abnormalities in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, causing the skin muscles to contract. It can also trigger sensitive skin symptoms, as the skin's acidity decreases, activating nerves and causing a stinging pain. There are studies showing that supplementing with adiponectin peptides improved sensitive skin. It is also known that a lack of adiponectin can lead to depression, memory decline, and cognitive dysfunction. To prevent UV exposure, it is important to regularly apply sunscreen with SPF50+ and PA+++ or higher. Reapplication every two hours is necessary, and even on cloudy days, UV rays are present, so sunscreen should be reapplied.

 

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You must apply sunscreen.

My mom also uses the same Dalla Sun Stick as I do.

Moisturizer also during the busy farming season due to farm work

Your face can get damaged too, so make sure to apply the cream properly.

 

It is said that cognitive function declines rapidly.

Please remember to bring your moisturizer.