Could your DNA reveal your Transepidermal Water Loss?
Transepidermal water loss refers to the extent of water molecules permeating from the hydrated layers of the dermis or epidermis (skin) to more dehydrated skin layers. This permeability can be affected by our environmental exposures: temperature, seasonal variation, sun exposure, and smoking, to name a few. Interestingly, this property of the skin seems to be different between different ethnicities, which suggests that genetics can also play a part.
Why do we even care though? Apart from cosmetics, who cares about water loss in our skin? Actually, this property of skin matters a lot if we are thinking about skin diseases like atopic dermatitis or eczema, which causes our skin to become very red and itchy. Nobody wants that. Unfortunately, however, it has been shown that the higher your transepidermal water loss, the more you are at risk of developing eczema.
After all, it makes sense that transepidermal water loss would contribute to diseases that result in a water inbalance in the skin. No matter how many times you moisturize, if your skin is constantly losing moisture into the atmosphere, you likely won’t see improvements. Skin affected by transepidermal water loss, or TEWL skin, constantly loses moisture and seems dry, no matter how often it is externally moisturized.
Looking at this further, a 2017 study examined the genetic underpinnings of transepidermal water loss among Han Chinese participants in a genome-wide association analysis. Investigators found a specific chromosome band (9q34.3) that was associated with the extent of water loss. Among the various gene loci within this band, those who had the non-mutated (or ancestral) gene variant at one specific locus had a lower transepidermal water loss (in other words, less water permeability) compared to those with the mutated gene variant.
These results are consistent with the ethnic differences we talked about: Africans are more likely to have the non-mutated gene variant compared to other ethnicities, and, true enough, Africans have been previously reported to have reduced epidermal permeability compared to Asians or Caucasians. Learn a little more about the investigation here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28011148
Although the study only included 611 samples, it provides some preliminary genetic evidence to suggest what is genetically driving some risk for skin conditions. Further research is warranted, but this investigation is certainly a good start.
Understanding how genetics affects TEWL skin is valuable for controlling issues that result from transepidermal water loss. If you are African American, you have much less chance of suffering from transepidermal water loss. Therefore, if you suffer symptoms that look like TEWL skin, you may be more likely to look for another cause, which can make catching the real problem more likely.
On the other hand, if you know you are genetically prone to transepidermal water loss, like the Han Chinese, you may be more likely to stay ahead of the issues that can result from TEWL skin by using a humidifier, moisterizing often, and staying well hydrated.
So what about you? Are you genetically at risk for transepidermal water loss? Find out on Genomelink now.
