Our skin, the most extensive organ in our body, is a veritable mine of information on our lifestyle, if we are to believe the 3D map produced by researchers at the University of San Diego in California (United States). United). The technique used by scientists helps identify and locate the different bacteria and chemicals that colonize our body based on what we swallow and apply to the skin. It is the first time that molecules and bacteria found on the skin have been so precisely mapped all over the body. For Pieter Dorrestein, the pharmacology professor who led this study, this is an interesting avenue for analyzing the role of the skin in the occurrence of diseases.
The study, which was carried out on only 2 subjects, shows that the microbial signature of each individual is unique, a bit like fingerprints. It harbors a specific combination of bacteria (850 have been identified) and a mixture of molecules from what we eat and the drugs we take.
Particularly stubborn cosmetics
For their study, the researchers asked the 2 guinea pigs not to wash and not to apply cream to the body, face and hair for 3 days. The aim was to “increase the number of microbes and limit the presence of cosmetic products” explained the Dr Dorrestein at CNN.
Despite the absence of the application of hygiene products for several days, 14% of the molecules identified on the whole of the skin came from cosmetics. When we know that our skin gets rid of millions of cells every day (dead skin), we imagine how much it is concentrated in chemicals right after applying a beauty product.
Although this study was only conducted on two people, it could be done on a larger scale to understand how the composition of the skin can be changed in order to fight certain diseases, starting with allergic reactions like the psoriasis and dermatitis.
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