Tag: skin

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When Healing Hurts: The Hidden Toll of Radiation on Skin Health

Background

As advancements in cancer treatments emerged, they brought along unavoidable side effects. Radiation therapy, now a cornerstone in oncology, comes with persistent impacts on the body, one of the most significant being radiation-induced skin injury (RISI) (Jaschke et al., 2017). This condition remains a common and challenging complication for both patients and clinicians.

The skin serves as a physical shield and a habitat for a diverse ecosystem of microorganisms, collectively known as the microbiota. These microbes play a critical role in maintaining skin health by supporting wound healing, regulating inflammation, and preventing infections. Any disruption to this microbial balance can have extensive consequences for recovery and immune response. 

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How the Facial Microbiome Changes as we Age

Background

         The human microbiome refers to all the microorganisms that live on and inside us. These microorganisms are predominantly bacteria and can consist of both beneficial and harmful species that change throughout our lives due to different factors. Our facial skin is home to millions of these microscopic organisms, such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses; that influence the health of our skin (Byrd, A., Belkaid, Y. & Segre, J, 2018). These include the bacteria that peacefully coexist on our skin, as well as potentially harmful and dangerous invader bacteria (Scharschmidt TC, Fischbach MA, 2013). These facial microbes function in maintaining the physical barrier of our skin, protection against pathogens, working with the immune response, and the breakdown of natural products (Byrd, A., Belkaid, Y. & Segre, J, 2018). 

         Aging is a factor that influences the composition and function of the facial microbiome and is unavoidable for all humans. As we get older, our facial skin experiences a decrease in collagen, sebaceous/oil glands, and sweat, which can impact and influence the facial microbiome (Sun, C. et al. 2024). Skin aging is associated with physical changes such as wrinkles, loss of elasticity, and the appearance of rough texture (Kim, HJ. et al., 2022). It has been found that elderly individuals exhibit significantly higher microbiome diversity linked to reduced immune capabilities that are not as effective at eliminating certain bacteria and microbes (Jensen, J. M., & Proksch, E., 2009).

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