Research Society and Development · Oct 10, 2026
Cutaneous inflammaging and cellular senescence: Molecular mechanisms of inflammatory skin aging and therapeutic targets
By Krauzer AS, Chagas IMDML, Terebinto MEB
This study aimed to analyze the molecular mechanisms determining cutaneous inflammaging and cellular senescence, investigating their repercussions for skin integrity and identifying promising therapeutic targets and strategies described in the recent literature. Skin aging is a multifactorial and systemic biological process that goes beyond superficial aesthetic changes. The study analyzes the molecular mechanisms of inflammaging and cellular senescence in the skin, assessing their repercussions for tissue integrity and identifying emerging therapeutic strategies. This is a qualitative narrative review of the literature. The literature search was conducted in the PubMed, SciELO, and DeCS databases, using descriptors combined with Boolean operators and strict inclusion and exclusion criteria (publications from the last 15 years in Portuguese, English, and Spanish). Of the 1.420 articles identified, 16 comprised the analytical corpus. The results indicate that the accumulation of senescent cells and the secretion of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), rich in proinflammatory cytokines and metalloproteinases, drive inflammaging and oxinflammaging. This scenario is exacerbated by mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, environmental pollution, and impairment of the epidermal barrier. Promising interventions include the use of targeted antioxidants, vitamin D supplementation, microbiome modulation through probiotics, precision nanocarrier delivery systems, and senolytic/immunomodulatory therapies. It is concluded that targeted management of the underlying molecular causes of skin aging restores tissue homeostasis and directly affects the overall health, well-being, and quality of life of the older population.