Former acne suffers appear to have longer telemeres

[elte]

http://medicalxpress.com/news/2016-09-ac...aging.html

Dermatologists have long noted that the skin of acne sufferers appears to age more slowly than the skin of those with no history of acne. Signs of ageing such as wrinkles and skin thinning often appear much later in people who have experienced acne in their lifetime. It has been suggested that this is due to increased oil production but there are likely to be other factors involved    

   Dr Veronique Bataille, senior author of the paper and another dermatologist in the Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology said: 'Longer telomeres are likely to be one factor explaining the protection against premature skin ageing in individuals who previously suffered from acne. Another important pathway, related to the p53 gene (a protector of the genome), is also relevant when we looked at gene expression in the skin of acne twins compared to twin controls.'

My dad had skin that looked young for his age.  I always wondered what could be going on with that.

[C C]

Wow. So adolescent tribulations get balanced out with rewards in the long run.

[stryder]

I previously considered a point in regards to Spot baldness (wikipedia.org) and Immortal Jellyfish (wikipedia.org).  Most wouldn't consider the two have any link (technically they don't).  Spot baldness however is due to a immune disorder where the immune system attacks the hair roots like they are foreign tissue.  This in some respects reverts the skins make-up to a "younger" state (when there was no hair).  Acne therefore could also likely effect the skins make-up in the same way.

Why mention the Jellyfish?  Well the reason for it's name is based upon how it can revert it's cells to a younger state if traumatised.

[scheherazade]

There are other auto immune disorders which likewise affect the skin and hair, making it appear appear more youthful.

The CREST form of scleroderma, which my mother has experienced for approximately three decades now has left her with hair color that has
not turned grey despite her being 81 years of age. Her face and neck show very few wrinkles because tightening of the skin is one of the symptoms of this
incurable systemic disorder.

Unfortunately, the discomfort of the other symptoms does not come close to making her more youthful appearance a desirable trade-off. A brief description of the
two main forms of scleroderma at this link: http://en.sclerodermie.ca/information-2/...leroderma/