A Narrative Review

BACKGROUNDCellular reprogramming is an emerging technology with significant potential to prevent or reverse aging. However, its role in regenerative aesthetics as a mechanism to specifically address skin aging has not been reported.

OBJECTIVEThis narrative review aims to contextualize current epigenetic drivers of skin aging, highlight their central role, and provide a comprehensive exploration of the potential role of cellular reprogramming in regenerative aesthetic medicine.

METHODSLiterature searches were conducted to identify studies on the epigenetics of skin aging and the effects of cellular reprogramming on the skin for this narrative review. This review provides an epigenetic view of skin aging to serve as a foundation to understand findings from preclinical and animal models reporting the effects of cellular reprogramming on the skin.

RESULTSEpigenetic changes, particularly DNA methylation drift, histone modifications, and chromatin remodeling, progressively erode cellular identity and disrupt gene expression with age. These alterations promote senescence, impair extracellular matrix homeostasis, and reduce regenerative capacity. Reprogramming methods can reset the epigenetic state, restore youthful gene expression, enhance mitochondrial function, and attenuate senescence. Preclinical studies in aged mice and human skin cells have shown that reprogramming increases epidermal and dermal thickness, accelerates wound healing, lowers inflammatory markers, and reverses epigenetic age.

CONCLUSIONPartial cellular reprogramming represents a promising approach, ranging from prioritizing cosmetic outcomes to addressing the root causes of aging, thereby improving skin health and function. If successfully translated, partial cellular reprogramming could advance the field of regenerative aesthetics and skin rejuvenation.

Abstract from Crossref