Lasers, Epigenetics & Reduced Skin Cancer Risk
A growing body of scientific evidence is showing how certain laser treatments can not only visibly improve the appearance of our skin but can influence how the skin functions at a deeper, biological level.
Our BBL, MOXI and Alma Hybrid are some of these laser devices capable of improving our epigenetic expression, cellular senescence,and consequently our skin cancer risk.
What is Epigenetics?
Epigenetics refers to how genes are expressed. Not only the genes you're born with, but how our environment, lifestyle, and treatments can switch certain genes on or off over time.
The biological age of our cells is influenced by these factors, affecting the function of our DNA and cellular behavior. These epigenetic changes are essential to normal cell function, but they also influence natural cycles of cellular repair, renewal and ageing.
If you can enhance epigenetic function, you help maintain the activity of genes that may become less active with ageing and environmental exposure. This supports healthier cellular function, skin repair, and ultimately skin longevity.
What is Senescence?
As we age, some skin cells enter a state known as cellular senescence. These senescent or “zombie” cells stop functioning normally but refuse to die. Over time they accumulate within the skin and release inflammatory signals that accelerate biological ageing by:
- Breaking down collagen and elastin
- Impairing the function of surrounding healthy cells
- Reducing new collagen production
- Contributing to chronic low grade inflammation within the skin
How do these factors influence or skin cancer risk?
Sunlight in particular UVA and UVB, triggers DNA damage in our cells. This damage accumulates over time and increases the risk of genetic mutations that cause skin cancer. Improving our epigenetics and regulating cellular senescence can result in a lower skin cancer risk by supporting DNA repair and preventing the multiplication of damaged cells, thereby supporting our skin to maintain healthy cell function and turnover to help stop precancerous cells from turning into malignancies.
Which devices provide these benefits?
BBL - Advanced IPL
MOXI - Non ablative fractional 1927nm laser
Alma Hybrid - Ablative CO2 + Non- ablative Fractional 1570nm laser
Each of these options available at The Skin Company provide varying epigenetic, senescent cell, and skin cancer benefits. Treatment selection will be guided by the severity of skin ageing, sun damage and tolerability of treatment and downtime following consultation.
BBL (Advanced IPL)
The ‘Stanford Study’ published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology found that BBL (BroadBand Light) treatments can alter the expression of genes associated with the ageing process.
This study found that after 3 BBL treatments given at monthly intervals for 3 months, the gene expression associated with photoaging and skin aging was similar to their expression in youthful skin. The outcome of this study suggests that skin rejuvenation at a molecular level can occur with BBL.
Why choose BBL?
- Well tolerated
- Little to no downtime
- Best for skin types I-IV
MOXI (Non ablative Fractional 1927nm laser)
Research published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology has shown that non-ablative fractional laser (NAFL) treatments can improve skin epigenetic expression, resulting in improved skin cell function and barrier repair, clearance of senescent cells, increased collagen and elastin production, and reduced numbers of sun damaged skin cells.
Biopsies of chronically sun damaged skin taken before and after NAFL treatment have demonstrated a reduction in sun damaged keratinocytes (the primary cell on the outer layer of skin), and increased fibroblast activity (the cells responsible for producing collagen and elastin).
Studies have shown NAFL can significantly reduce numbers of actinic keratoses (precancerous skin lesions) and improve the severity of by 79%. As many skin cancers arise within sun damaged skin and actinic keratoses, this therapy offers a safe, effective and FDA approved option for the treatment of precancerous lesions and sun damage.
Why choose MOXI?
- Minimal downtime
- Suitable for all skin types
- FDA approved for treatment of actinic keratoses
Alma Hybrid (Ablative CO2 + Fractional 1570nm laser)
This device combines the benefits of the non-ablative fractional laser with the ablative component of CO2 to additionally remove damaged skin on the surface. While the 1570nm wavelength penetrates deeply to stimulate improvements in epigenetic expression and clearance of senescent cells, the CO2 ablation resurfaces the epidermis and dermis containing sun damage, promoting healthy skin rejuvenation.
Studies have shown that facial resurfacing with CO2 ablation alone can reduce the amount of actinic keratoses by up to 92%. This therapy offers a powerful alternative to traditional precancerous therapies such as efudix, which in the same study showed an 83% reduction in the count of actinic keratoses. Combined with the 1570nm laser, the Alma Hybrid has the potential for even greater and sustained cellular rejuvenation of aged and sun damaged skin, alongside visible improvements in wrinkles, skin tone and texture.
Why choose Alma Hybrid?
- Powerful rejuvenation of aged, sun damaged skin
- Strong alternative for the treatment of actinic keratoses
- Best suited for those with some downtime available