INTRODUCTION
Ultra-violet (UV) radiation is a key factor in skin aging, responsible for up to 90% of the process. Its effects are diverse, including loss of elasticity, fine lines, wrinkles, reduced epidermal and dermal components, increased epidermal permeability, and delayed wound healing.1 The health risks associated with excessive UV exposure are profound, with UV being the most important modifiable risk factor for skin cancer and many other environmentally influenced skin disorders.2
The clinical burden of photodamage and skin aging is significant and multifaceted, impacting an individual’s physical appearance, psychological well-being, and overall quality of life.3,4 Photodamage accelerates the natural aging process of the skin, leading to a variety of clinical manifestations, including fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation (freckles, age spots, and melasma), loss of elasticity and firmness, and texture irregularities.1,5-7 Beyond the physical manifestations, the burden of photodamage and skin aging extends to psychosocial impacts. Visible signs of aging, such as wrinkles and pigmentation irregularities, can negatively affect an individual’s self-esteem, impair quality of life, and may also lead to anxiety, depression, and avoidance of social situations.8-10
The Klotho gene, named after the Greek goddess who spun the thread of human life, encodes a transmembrane protein primarily expressed in the kidneys and, to a lesser extent, in other tissues, including the brain, parathyroid gland, and endothelial cells. Discovered by Kuro-o et al in 1997, the Klotho gene is of particular interest in the fields of gerontology and aging due to its association with aging and age-related diseases.11 Mutant mice lacking the Klotho gene exhibited premature aging phenotypes, including a shortened lifespan, osteoporosis, arteriosclerosis, and cognitive decline. Preclinical studies in animal models have provided evidence supporting the role of Klotho in skin health and aging; Klotho deficiency
The clinical burden of photodamage and skin aging is significant and multifaceted, impacting an individual’s physical appearance, psychological well-being, and overall quality of life.3,4 Photodamage accelerates the natural aging process of the skin, leading to a variety of clinical manifestations, including fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation (freckles, age spots, and melasma), loss of elasticity and firmness, and texture irregularities.1,5-7 Beyond the physical manifestations, the burden of photodamage and skin aging extends to psychosocial impacts. Visible signs of aging, such as wrinkles and pigmentation irregularities, can negatively affect an individual’s self-esteem, impair quality of life, and may also lead to anxiety, depression, and avoidance of social situations.8-10
The Klotho gene, named after the Greek goddess who spun the thread of human life, encodes a transmembrane protein primarily expressed in the kidneys and, to a lesser extent, in other tissues, including the brain, parathyroid gland, and endothelial cells. Discovered by Kuro-o et al in 1997, the Klotho gene is of particular interest in the fields of gerontology and aging due to its association with aging and age-related diseases.11 Mutant mice lacking the Klotho gene exhibited premature aging phenotypes, including a shortened lifespan, osteoporosis, arteriosclerosis, and cognitive decline. Preclinical studies in animal models have provided evidence supporting the role of Klotho in skin health and aging; Klotho deficiency
