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What is DNA Testing for Skincare?

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How many different skincare products have you tried, hoping you’re getting the right ones for your skintype? You’ve probably looked in the mirror over and over, wondering if you’re combination, oily, dry or something else entirely. Want to try the latest and greatest thing I just stumbled across? Try DNA testing for skincare so you know exactly what types of products you need instead of just guessing or trial and error. No more standing and staring at a wall of products wondering, “What are the best skincare products for my skintype?”

How DNA Testing for Skincare Works
The process itself is extremely simple for you. All you do is swab inside your cheek with the Q-tip provided by your physician and send it off for testing. The sample is then analyzed to see what short, specific DNA sequences called single nucleotide polymorphisms say about what your skin needs. The test can determine your propensity for collagen production, sun exposure risk, inflammation control, and certain antioxidant needs for now.

Once the results are in, you’ll get recommendations based on your own unique DNA. These will help you choose the right products instead of trying one thing after another with little or no results.

Should You Get DNA Testing for Your Skin?
Many simply visit their dermatologist and ask, “What are the best skincare products for my skintype?” A good dermatologist can really make a difference in your skin, but they can only go off of what they see. Your DNA gives an in-depth look at your skin’s internal and external health along with potential genetic pitfalls that may require you to focus on specific areas of skincare, such as extra sunscreen.

DNA is unique to everyone as is your skin. When a dermatologists says you have oily skin, you automatically start using products for oily skin. However, you might need something completely different, because the excess oil could be caused by something else triggering that response. DNA testing for skincare gives a level of insight into your skincare needs that you can’t get any other way.

Customized Skincare
The best skincare products for your skintype are ones customized to your skin. Some companies are now using DNA testing to create products specifically for your skintype. No more buying a generic dry skin formula. Instead, you’ll receive a skincare line designed just for you. You’ll see the results you’ve always wanted without the stress of trying to pick out your own products.

Is DNA Testing for Skin Care for Everyone?
There are currently only a few hundred single nucleotide polymorphisms relevant to the skin and skin care that have been identified to date. It’s tempting to know, but just because a test tells you that you have a susceptibility to dry skin doesn’t mean that it’s going to be any easier to treat it. Some of the SNPs that have been identified right now basically say, “Oh, that’s what I already knew, I have dry skin, or rosacea, or a lot more wrinkles than my friends the same age.”

Furthermore, DNA testing for skin care does not tell you with certainty that you will suffer from a specific skin condition or nutrient deficiency. Nicki says, “Look at this like the BRCA1 and BRCA2 breast and ovarian cancer genes: Yes, your paternal and maternal grandmothers may have both had breast cancer, and your mother may have had ovarian cancer. You may carry both of the BRCA genes, but this indicates you have an 80% greater risk than someone who doesn’t carry the gene. Risk is not certainty. If you adopt better nutrition, exercise, and overall health patterns than someone who eats fatty and fried foods, drinks excessive amounts of alcohol, and does not exercise at all without the BRCA genes, you could very well be off the hook while they develop breast cancer.” Genes tell your ability. Not your destiny. They create a roadmap — it’s up to you whether or not you choose to follow it.

That said, knowing that you have certain SNPs doesn’t hurt. Those with a greater susceptibility to skin cancer, for instance, would be wise to take heed and apply (and reapply) antioxidant serums and sunscreen (and adopt sun avoidance strategies) even more often than the rest of us. Those with dry skin propensities should moisturize year-round. And so on and so forth. So does it hurt anything to know? No, but it only helps if you’re willing to do something about it.

Bottom Line
While DNA testing for skincare isn’t widely available yet, it could very well be in the future. If you’re struggling with trying to find the right combination of products for your needs, it could be beneficial to try this method for yourself. Odds are, you’ll save money in the long run and you’ll get the right skincare products to take care of all your skin issues.

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About Myself

Nicki Zevola is the founder and editor-in-chief of FutureDerm.com. Named one of the top 30 beauty bloggers in the world by Konector.com since 2009, Nicki

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