Signs on the face: Russian ethnic groups with a high risk of skin aging are named
Karachays, Ossetians, Ashkenazi Jews, Chuvash and Mari have an increased risk of photo-aging (premature skin aging). This was shown by a study of geneticists who analyzed about 170,000 DNA samples from representatives of different Russian ethnic groups. Scientists have identified a mutation in a gene that is necessary to regulate the synthesis of pigment responsible for skin, hair and eye color. About the dangers of premature skin aging and whether genetics alone is responsible for it, see the Izvestia article.
Who has a high risk of photo-aging
Among the peoples of Russia, residents of Karachay-Cherkessia, North Ossetia and Mari El have the highest predisposition to premature skin aging (photoaging), which is caused by ultraviolet radiation, geneticists told Izvestia. It is also observed among the Chuvash, Tatars and Ashkenazi Jews. In addition, "northern Russians" have a greater risk of premature aging compared to southern Russians.
—Northerners may underestimate the risk of solar radiation, especially in conditions of short summers and few clear days," they warned.
Experts studied mutations in the IRF4 gene, which is necessary for the regulation of melanin synthesis (the pigment responsible for skin, eye, hair color, and sunburn intensity) in more than 166 thousand genome samples.
— A mutation in this gene increases the risk of actinic keratosis (a precancerous condition characterized by rough, scaly patches on the skin. — Ed.), the appearance of age spots, decreased skin elasticity and the appearance of wrinkles, the scientists explained.
According to Genotek, mutations in the IRF4 gene increase the risk of actinic keratosis by 1.4 times, and age spots by 1.55 times.
Actinic keratosis is a skin change that manifests itself as red spots and is caused by direct and prolonged exposure to sunlight, Mikhail Laskov, oncologist and founder of the Dr. Laskov Clinic, explained to Izvestia.
Mutations in the IRF4 gene lead to premature skin aging in all races, noted geneticist Elena Kirichenko. But she reminded that this gene is not the only one responsible for photo-aging and skin condition. For example, there are genes that protect against oxidative stress, immune response genes, as well as genes responsible for skin hydration and collagen synthesis.
In fair-skinned people, age-related changes are more often manifested by wrinkles, the skin loses elasticity, and people with dark skin are characterized by hyperpigmentation and uneven tone, said Alexandra Fileva, a dermatologist at the Hemotest laboratory.
According to the doctor, dark-skinned people experience skin aging at a later age compared to fair-skinned people. The first signs of damage can appear by the age of 25, and irreversible changes accumulate by the age of 40, she added.
Genetics plays a role in the tendency to photo-aging, which depends on the synthesis of melanin, dermatologist Irina Skorogudaeva told Izvestia.
—The darker the skin, the better the person is protected from the sun, and photoaging will occur more slowly," she said. — A person can have a light phototype from birth: These are blue-eyed, white-skinned, pink-skinned, people with red hair. Such people are the most unstable to the sun, they often develop melanoma. They can't sunbathe at all and they get burned all the time. But photo—aging affects all people, and it depends on how long a person stays in the sun," she said.
The main signs of premature aging, in addition to loss of elasticity, wrinkles and age spots, are the appearance of vascular meshes, a yellowish tint and a change in skin texture, noted dermatologist and cosmetologist Victoria Barishpolets.
What is the danger of photo-aging?
Mutations in the IRF4 gene can lead not only to premature skin aging, but also increase the risk of skin cancer, said Anastasia Sivakova, a geneticist at the National Center for Genetic Research. For example, actinic keratosis can eventually transform into squamous cell carcinoma of the skin.
Skin cancer is the leading localization of malignant neoplasms in Russia, it ranks third in the structure of oncological diseases among the male population and second among the female population, follows from the article "The state of oncological care in Russia: malignant neoplasms of the skin" (published in the journal Formulas of Pharmacy in 2024. About 80,000 primary cases of skin malignancy are registered in Russia every year, it says.
Nevertheless, among the studied ethnic groups, the degree of risk of predisposition to skin aging does not coincide with the frequency of skin malignancies in a particular region. Last year, according to the report "The state of oncological care for the Russian population in 2024" by the P.A. Herzen Moscow Scientific Research Oncological Institute, patients with melanoma and other skin malignancies were registered in Moscow - more than 1.6 thousand and almost 11 thousand people.
In Tatarstan, 332 melanoma diagnoses were made, in addition, almost 2.3 thousand cases of other skin malignancies were identified. In 2024, 32 people with melanoma and 321 people with other skin cancers were registered in Karachay-Cherkessia, 36 and 295 in North Ossetia, 58 and 322 in Mari El, 95 and 584 in Chuvashia.
Aging and skin cancer are linked by the presence of cells with a defective genome, explained dermatovenerologist Denis Laseev.
"Although aging is formed due to the loss of cell adaptation mechanisms, and the appearance of skin cancer, on the contrary, is associated with excessive activation of cell adaptation," he explained. — The first and main cause of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin is the accumulation of cellular damage.
The degree of predisposition to premature skin aging due to UV exposure depends not only on ethnicity and genetics, emphasized Alexandra Fileva. According to her, lifestyle and frequency of sun exposure are important.
In addition, the environment in the place of residence can affect the situation, for example, air pollution, dust, tobacco smoke and tar, an unbalanced diet, insufficient water intake, lack of sleep, stress and a sedentary lifestyle, Victoria Barishpolets added.
— It is important to maintain sufficient levels of vitamins A, B, C and E in the diet, drink at least 1.5–2 liters of clean water per day and sleep at least 7-8 hours a day. It is better for women not to engage in exhausting physical activity with heavy weights, but Pilates, yoga or stretching," the expert clarified.
To slow down the aging process of the skin, doctors recommended protecting the body in sunny weather by wearing light-colored clothes made of natural fabrics and wide-brimmed hats, and applying sunscreens with SPF 30-50 to exposed skin.
You should protect yourself from the sun even in cloudy weather, Alexandra Fileva reminded.
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