This Just In: A Gene For Aging?
According to Dr. Howard Y. Chang and other researchers at Stanford University, the answer is yes, “aging is a process that can be switched on and off.” In the study, dermatologists deactivated the key aging gene in the skin of aged mice, and when they knocked the gene out, the skin became youthful looking once again. Until a gene-targeting therapy is available for humans (a gene-specific cream is actually evidently in the works by the Stanford team), Chang and other researchers also note that staying out of the sun and using sunscreen may help the gene stay deactivated, since UV light activates the gene (surprise, surprise). I recommend Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 85 ($10.44, Drugstore.com). And for more on the study, please see the September 2008 issue of Allure, fresh on newsstands now.
