The Photoaging Gene

Severe photoaging is connected to age, but also to certain variants in MC1R.

Aging-related changes in skin may be accelerated by such environmental factors as smoking and chronic ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure (photoaging). The melanocyte-stimulating hormones bind to the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R), switching off production of red pheomelanin and switching on production of black eumelanin, which is photoprotective. Previous studies showed that mutations of MC1R produce different skin phenotypes, such as red hair, fair skin, lentigines, freckles, sun-sensitivity, low tanning ability, and risk for skin cancers (including melanoma). Investigators studied the association between MC1R variants and the severity of facial photoaging (sagging, wrinkling, and irregular pigmentation).

Photoaging was strongly linked to …

Reviewing Author

Mark V. Dahl, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Ulthera, Inc.; AuBio LifeSciences, LLC; Paris Therapeutics

Equity Elorac, Inc.; Makucell, Inc.; Paris Therapeutics

Editorial boards UpToDate

Leadership positions in professional societiesNational Rosacea Society (Chairman, Medical Board)