For some time now, we’ve realized that genetics alone cannot explain aging, as environmental factors also play a role in influencing the expression and activity of our genes, accelerating the aging process. This is the fascinating chapter of Epigenetics.
All of these external factors, collectively referred to as the Exposome (exposure to UV rays, smoking, alcohol, poor diet, lack of adequate sleep, oxidative stress, excessive physical activity, pollution, etc.), add an additional 40% to what would be our genetically programmed senescence, particularly affecting the telomeres (DNA structures found at the ends of chromosomes) by shortening them. The name comes from the Greek telos (τέλος), meaning “end,” and meros (μέρος), meaning “part.”
“Telomere length is one of the most accurate biomarkers of aging, and keeping them long allows you to stay young and live better,” says Dr. Maria Vittoria Giatti, Specialist in Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery. “There are innovative telomere tests that can quantify their shortening, allowing us to establish a personalized aesthetic therapeutic plan to help elongate them.”
How the Outpatient Treatment Is Performed
“At my clinic, I conduct telomere tests during the first specialist visit, so that we can establish the most suitable and personalized medical aesthetic therapeutic plan. These are highly innovative techniques, still underused in Italy,” says Dr. Giatti.
The test is carried out by specialist doctors in selected clinics. The patient is initially given a thorough anamnesis, evaluating their physical characteristics, family history, cardiovascular health, hours of sleep, smoking, stress levels, physical activity, diet, alcohol consumption, environmental factors, and psychological aspects.
Next, the doctor performs a buccal swab, which is not at all uncomfortable for the patient. The swab is first placed on the tongue and moistened with saliva for ten seconds. It is then vigorously rubbed between the cheek and gums for ten seconds on each side of the mouth. Patients are advised to avoid eating, drinking, or brushing their teeth for at least one hour before the sample collection and should rinse their mouth with water shortly before the test.
The sample is promptly sent to specialized laboratories, where telomere length is quantified using a quantitative PCR molecular technique. The report is typically received within about a month.
Test Results
“It is sufficient to perform the telomere test once in a lifetime or, if significant telomere shortening is detected, to repeat it after an appropriate specific therapy to check for elongation and the achieved anti-aging effect,” explains Dr. Maria Vittoria Giatti, Specialist in Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery.
After receiving the results, the doctor will schedule a follow-up appointment to discuss the patient’s telomere length, estimated biological age (which often does not match their chronological age), and the degree of cellular aging. A personalized therapeutic plan will also be prescribed based on the results.
The therapeutic plan may involve recommending a nutraceutical treatment to rejuvenate cells and increase telomere length. These could include phytochemicals (such as piperine, turmeric, silymarin), antioxidants (glutathione, coenzyme Q10, resveratrol, omega-3), vitamins (Vitamin C, Vitamin B, Vitamin E), or combinations of formulations, tested and chosen based on the patient’s aging level.
The specialist will also provide guidance on lifestyle changes (such as engaging in physical activity, reducing intake of proteins, calories, or salt, moderating alcohol or tobacco use, incorporating specific foods into the diet, increasing sleep hours, practicing mind-relaxing techniques, etc.) and may develop a targeted medical aesthetic therapeutic plan (such as cycles of dermal densification, regenerating peels, fillers, specific anti-aging treatments, laser therapy, etc.), in addition to a personalized dermocosmetic prescription that addresses the patient’s skin needs.
These telomere tests can also be applied in any medical field, as the results reflect the biological age of our body.
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Dr. Maria Vittoria Giatti
Specialist in Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery
www.mariavittoriagiatti.com