SINGAPORE – In a groundbreaking move, Singapore is set to invest $14 million in a four-year multidisciplinary research initiative aimed at understanding the aging process of Asian skin. Historically, most dermatological research has focused on Caucasian populations, leaving a significant gap in knowledge about Asian skin. This new study seeks to address age-related skin health issues specific to Asians, such as skin thinning and persistent itching.
The skin, being the largest organ of the human body, plays a crucial role in protecting against injuries and microbial attacks. As people age, their skin becomes thinner, less elastic, and more fragile, leading to a decline in its barrier function. This affects the skin’s ability to retain moisture, regulate temperature, and protect against infections and other harmful substances.
The study, titled the Cutaneous Ageing and Maintenance Programme, is scheduled to commence on August 1. It aims to discover innovative preventive measures and treatments tailored specifically for Asian skin. Professor Rachel Watson, the principal investigator, emphasized the importance of this research. Prof Watson, an expert in aging skin and the executive director of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star) Skin Research Labs and the Skin Research Institute of Singapore (SRIS), is leading the initiative.
The program will unite clinicians, biologists, engineers, and data scientists from SRIS’ tripartite partners: A*Star, the National Healthcare Group, and Nanyang Technological University. They will examine the physiology of Asian skin, investigate the underlying changes, and create models that simulate aged skin environments.
“We’re laying the groundwork so that in four or five years, we can begin developing interventions to support skin health,” said Prof Watson.
Research conducted in 2022 by Dr. Yew Yik Weng at the National Skin Centre (NSC) and other local researchers identified skin inflammation or dermatitis, viral skin diseases, and fungal skin diseases as the top three most common skin conditions among the elderly in Singapore.
“In younger populations, atopic dermatitis, commonly known as eczema, is prevalent. However, as people age, conditions like seborrheic dermatitis, which mainly affects the scalp, become more common,” explained Prof Watson. “We also see an increase in fungal infections and skin cancers.”
Professor Steven Thng, deputy director and senior consultant at NSC, highlighted a rise in basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer in Singapore. A study of 12,692 cases diagnosed from 1968 to 2016 showed that most cases occurred in individuals aged 60 and above, with the relative risk increasing sharply with age.
The study found that people aged 70 and above have a 14.8 times higher risk of developing basal cell carcinoma and a 40.4 times higher risk of squamous cell carcinoma, the second most common skin cancer in Singapore, compared to those under 40 years of age. Additionally, fairer-skinned Chinese individuals have the highest relative risk for developing any skin cancer compared to darker-skinned Malays and Indians.
Asian skin, which contains more melanin, offers better protection against the sun’s ultraviolet rays but is more prone to pigmentation issues and scarring. The humid and sunny climate in many Asian regions also affects skin differently than temperate climates.
“In Asian skin, we observe changes in pigmentation and complexion earlier than in Caucasian skin. We see less facial wrinkling,” noted Prof Watson, who spent nearly 30 years in Britain studying Caucasian skin before coming to Singapore in 2023 to research Asian skin. “We know inflammation plays a role in aging Caucasian skin. Now, we want to test this hypothesis in Asian skin.”
Prof Watson pointed out that some ingredients in skincare products, such as all-trans retinoic acid, a derivative of vitamin A, have been shown to help protect skin. However, these ingredients have only been tested on Western populations. When applied to the skin, all-trans retinoic acid encourages the production of collagen and elastic fibers, making wrinkles appear less prominent.
She likened the skin to a balloon, where the vitamin A derivative adds volume, reducing the appearance of wrinkles. Despite its effectiveness, this active ingredient is typically found in facial products rather than body moisturizers, which would benefit overall skin health.
To protect the skin, Prof Watson emphasized the importance of moisturizing, exfoliating, and using sunblock, especially as one ages and loses pigmentation. Eating a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables rich in dietary antioxidants can also help the skin combat sun damage.
“But there will always be a natural decline in the tissue as we age,” she concluded.
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