Research Areas

Aging

Using state-of-the-art cosmetic and laser dermatology, researchers are working to identify new products involved in skin aging and aging in general in healthy individuals as well as in those living with skin allergies, sensitivities, and eczema. Our cosmetic physicians and physician scientists are using advanced approaches and lasers to improve the appearance of the skin across all skin complexities and ethnicities, achieving a more youthful appearance, while researching the mechanisms involved in skin aging. This will be followed by unique clinical trials to test novel modalities to slow down aging and improve the appearance of skin in healthy individuals and patients with sensitive or allergic skin. This research fills an important gap in the field of aging, as cosmetic dermatology centers are usually not doing translational research or clinical trials. Our goal is to approach cosmetic dermatology and anti-aging in the same way we did for inflammatory skin conditions, such as eczema and skin allergies, and use our findings to propel innovation and create additional solutions for patients with aging skin.

Inflammation

The link between inflammation and aging has only recently been explored. Dermatologists have coined the term “inflammaging” to describe the normal process occurring with age of increased inflammation in the skin and blood of healthy individuals. Our researchers are exploring how inflammaging, which contributes to the visible effects of aging on our skin, can be modeled by the inflammatory process that occurs in eczema patients over time. Eczema has been proposed to be a simulator of skin aging due to the dry skin and premature wrinkling seen in patients with eczema affecting the face and neck, as well as other body locations. By closely examining inflammaging in both healthy and diseased states, researchers are aiming to pinpoint targetable molecules that may prevent premature aging or postpone the aging process. Once the molecules are identified, researchers will design clinical trials and treatments that will target these molecules to slow down aging.