When most people think about anti-aging, they focus on erasing fine lines, tightening skin, or restoring lost volume. However, true rejuvenation goes deeper than what we see in the mirror. Just as “health longevity” measures how long we maintain good health, our “skinspan” reflects how long our skin remains strong, radiant, and resilient.
The concept of skinspan was recently published in a peer-reviewed article by Monica Boen, MD, and Sabrina Fabi, MD, of Cosmetic Laser Dermatology, marking a significant shift in how dermatologists approach aging. Rather than treating isolated concerns, the goal is to create a long-term strategy that supports the skin’s natural vitality at every stage of life.
At Cosmetic Laser Dermatology, this philosophy guides every personalized plan by combining prevention, evidence-based treatments, and regenerative science to help patients enjoy youthful, healthy skin for decades.
Today, we’re going to explore the skinspan roadmap developed by Dr. Boen and Dr. Fabi, which is a comprehensive guide to maintaining youthful, healthy skin through prevention, rejuvenation, and regeneration.
What is “Skinspan”? The New Way to Think About Skin Health
Your skinspan is the period of time during which your skin functions at its best, maintaining elasticity, hydration, an even tone, and a youthful glow. Just as healthy lifestyle habits can extend your overall lifespan, smart, proactive skin care can extend your skin’s functional life.
In their skinspan roadmap article, Dr. Boen and Dr. Fabi emphasize that skin longevity is not achieved through a single procedure or product. Instead, it is built through consistent care that targets both the visible signs of aging and the molecular processes beneath the surface, such as oxidative stress, inflammation, and cellular senescence.
By addressing these root causes early, patients can delay visible aging and maintain healthy, balanced skin well into later decades.
Let’s take a closer look at the three essential steps that form the foundation of lasting skin protection.
Step 1 – Protect and Prevent: The Foundation of Skin Longevity
Every lasting skin transformation begins with protection. Prevention is not only easier than correction but also scientifically proven to slow the biological mechanisms of skin aging.
The most effective preventive measures include:
- Broad-spectrum sun protection: Daily SPF uses shields against UV-induced DNA damage, which accounts for up to 90% of facial aging.
- Topical retinoids and antioxidants: Retinoids stimulate cell turnover and collagen renewal, while antioxidants like vitamins C and E neutralize free radicals before they damage skin cells.
- Healthy lifestyle choices: Quality sleep, balanced nutrition, hydration, and avoidance of smoking and exposure to excessive pollution help preserve the skin’s integrity.
Incorporating these habits builds the foundation of a longer skinspan. As Dr. Fabi and Dr. Boen’s research highlights, even the most advanced treatments are far more effective when skin is protected and well-nourished.
Transitioning from prevention to rejuvenation, the next step is to restore what time and environment may have already changed.
Step 2 – Rejuvenate and Repair: Energy-Based Treatments That Reset the Skin Clock
Once preventive habits are in place, many patients seek to reverse early or moderate signs of aging, such as dullness, laxity, or uneven texture. Here, energy-based treatments play a pivotal role.
According to the skinspan framework, these therapies form the second tier of interventions, working to repair deeper structural damage and stimulate long-term regeneration. At Cosmetic Laser Dermatology, our board-certified dermatologists design treatment plans using state-of-the-art laser, light, and energy devices, including:
- Nonablative Laser resurfacing (Fraxel® Restore: Dual, Clear and Brilliant® lasers): Delivers energy to the skin to improve skin quality, photodamage, and fine lines
- Radiofrequency (RF) microneedling: Tightens and revitalizes skin through precise, controlled heating beneath the surface.
- IPL (Intense Pulsed Light): Targets sun damage, redness, and pigmentation for a brighter, more even complexion.
- Laser Resurfacing (CO2, Fraxel, Ultraclear®): Gentle ablates a portion of the skin to improve skin texture, photodamage, and fine lines.
When performed by experienced dermatologists and physician assistants, these treatments do more than improve appearance. They restore the skin’s internal architecture, enhancing its ability to heal, renew, and maintain elasticity over time.
As Dr. Boen and Dr. Fabi’s publication notes, procedural rejuvenation is most successful when used strategically as part of an overall longevity plan rather than as a one-time fix. Individual results may vary.
Step 3 – Regenerate and Renew: The Future of Skin Longevity
Beyond prevention and repair lies the frontier of regeneration, where science meets the body’s innate ability to restore itself.
In the skinspan model, third-tier interventions include emerging therapies that focus on molecular and cellular rejuvenation. These may involve:
- Growth factor–based treatments: Encourage cellular communication and tissue renewal.
- Sirtuin activators and NAD+ boosters: Enhance mitochondrial function and energy within skin cells.
- Nicotinamide (vitamin B3) and resveratrol: Have been shown in early studies to improve cellular repair and reduce oxidative stress.
While research is ongoing, these innovations represent a promising future in aesthetic dermatology, one where treatments not only reverse aging but also optimize skin function at the biological level.
At Cosmetic Laser Dermatology, our physicians continually evaluate emerging evidence to ensure that every therapy we offer is both safe and scientifically sound.
Building Your Personalized Skin Longevity Plan
Just as no two people age the same way, no two skinspan strategies are identical. Extending your skin’s health and youthfulness requires a customized, evolving approach.
During a comprehensive consultation at Cosmetic Laser Dermatology, your dermatologist evaluates:
- Skin type, tone, and current concerns
- Genetic and environmental factors
- Daily skincare routine and lifestyle habits
- Long-term goals, whether prevention, correction, or maintenance
From there, a personalized plan is designed to balance immediate rejuvenation with long-term preservation, ensuring results that look natural, healthy, and enduring.
Since maintaining your skinspan is not a one-time thing, it is an important journey guided by medical expertise and ongoing care.
Start Your Skin Longevity Journey Today
Healthy, youthful skin isn’t a matter of chance; it’s the result of informed choices and expert, science-based care. Whether you want to prevent early signs of aging skin or restore your skin’s strength and resilience, our board-certified dermatologists at Cosmetic Laser Dermatology can help.
With a personalized, research-backed treatment plan, our team will guide you toward lasting skin health and measurable results you can trust.
Schedule your consultation today at 858.943.2113 and take the first step toward extending your skinspan with proven medical expertise.
Read Drs. Fabi and Boen’s article here.
