DNA Skin Test
DNA Skin Test
Test individual nutrient requirements for your skin
Do you treat your skin mainly externally, from the outside? Then you may be missing an opportunity. Nutrition and lifestyle influence the skin's appearance from the inside - how exactly depends partly on your DNA. Different gene characteristics can cause skin problems to arise and the skin to age faster.
The cerascreen® DNA Skin Test analyses specific gene variants of five genes in a saliva sample. These gene variants provide information about your individual risk for oxidative stress, collagen degradation and increased sun sensitivity. If you are aware of these risks, you can take targeted countermeasures and help to optimise your skin health and slow down skin ageing.
- State-of-the-art DNA analysis of various gene variants
- Professional analysis in a certified medical laboratory
- Recommendations for protecting your skin health
- Based on current scientific research
- Receive your result within 3-4 weeks after sample arrived in the laboratory
Information about the DNA Skin Test
Collect a saliva sample
The DNA Skin Test kit includes a cotton swab and a sample tube, which you can use to take a small saliva sample from the oral mucosa yourself at the convenience of your home.
Activate DNA Skin Test
Enter the test ID listed on the test ID card in your secure My cerascreen user account on our website or on our app. You will then need to answer a short survey so that we can give you personalised recommendations.
Send saliva sample
Mail in the saliva sample tube to the medical laboratory by using the free return envelope.
Laboratory Analysis
In the medical laboratory, 4 genes are tested for specific gene variants that are associated with skin health.
Results Report
In your individual results report, you will receive information based on the DNA analysis as to whether you have genetic predispositions that increase your risk of oxidative stress, collagen degradation and increased sensitivity to the sun.
High Quality Standards
All samples taken with the cerascreen® test kits are analysed in a medical laboratory. All of our lab partners meet our high quality and safety standards, i.e. ISO 15189 und ISO 9001.
The advantages of the DNA Skin Test
How susceptible your skin is to inflammation, UV rays and ageing is influenced by DNA, among other things. If you want to systematically improve your skin health, a DNA analysis will help you. It provides information about the individual requirements of your skin. This knowledge enables you to take measures that are tailored to your own DNA.
With the cerascreen® DNA Skin Test, you receive a DNA analysis that is state-of-the-art in biotechnology. You don't have to wait in line and you don't have to go to a doctor's office. You can take your sample discretely and conveniently at home. The professional analysis is carried out by a specialised medical laboratory.
Take advantage of our expertise: cerascreen® is the market leader for at-home medical sample taking and send-in kits in Europe, with 8 years of experience in the developement and analysis of tests. We have developed more than 50 different approved sample taking and mail-in kits (medical products), analyse around 150,000 samples per year, and serve 19 different countries.
Your Test Results
As soon as your sample has been analysed, you will receive a notification via the my cerascreen®-App or your user account on our website for your test result. You can view your results on your smartphone, tablet, or computer and you can also print it out as well.
Learn from the laboratory analysis which possible interpretations the characteristics of the five analysed gene variants allow. Learn how to improve your skin health through easy-to-use recommendations on diet and lifestyle. Comprehensive health information will explain the role of your DNA in the health and ageing processes of your skin.
Frequently Asked Questions About Skin Health
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Why test skin health genes?
Do you want to preserve your vital youth for longer and keep your skin healthy? With a genetic test, you can find out which factors may be contributing to rapid skin ageing and skin problems.
The cerascreen® DNA Skin Test offers you insights into your genetics. Get to know your individual risks for oxidative stress, collagen reduction and increased sensitivity to sun better, so you can take targeted countermeasures, slow down your cell ageing and optimise your skin health with measures around nutrition, lifestyle and health.
Important note: If the DNA analysis shows an increased risk for skin problems, it does not automatically mean that you will develop them! These genetic predispositions are probabilities and the possibility of problems occurring. Moreover, the recommendations for skin health are also useful for people who do not show these manifestations.
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Who should take the DNA Skin Test?
The test is an excellent choice for all people who want to improve their skin health and are interested in which measures and recommendations are best suited for them personally.
If you already have skin problems or feel that your skin condition has changed recently, the cerascreen® DNA Skin Test may be able to help you get to the bottom of the causes.
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How does the DNA Skin Test work?
For the DNA Skin Test, take a small saliva sample from the oral mucosa with the cotton swab that is included in the DNA Heart Health Test kit. After the swab, you insert the saliva samples into the enclosed sample tube. Send the saliva samples to our medical partner laboratory by using the free return envelope. The lab will then carry out the DNA analysis.
The specialised medical laboratory carries out a comprehensive DNA analysis. How long the analysis will take depends on the quality of the sample provided - sometimes the medical laboratory has to repeat the analysis multiple times. Therefore, it can take up to four weeks until you receive your individual test results.
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What do I have to consider when I take the test?
The higher the quality of the sample, the faster and easier the laboratory is able to analyse it. You can contribute to this by adhering to the following guidelines for saliva sample taking:
- Do not eat or drink anything for at least half an hour before collect the saliva sample.
- Do not brush your teeth or use mouthwash at least half an hour before collecting the saliva sample.
- Do not smoke in the 30 minutes before taking the tests
- The sample must be stored in a dry place for 24 hours before sending. Throughout this time the sample dries via the aeration membrane at the bottom of the sample tube.
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What will the result report tell me?
Based on 4 analysed genes, your results report provides you with information about three genetic tendencies of your skin health. For each, you will receive a possible interpretation of whether your genetic variants indicate a "normal" or "increased" tendency.
The following aspects of skin health are investigated:
- Tendency to oxidative stress
- Tendency to break down collagen
- Sensitivity towards sun
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What kind of recommendations will I receive?
You will receive recommendations for each of the three skin health aspects assessed - find out more about these in the questions below.
We will also provide you with general tips for proper skin health that you can incorporate into your daily routine. This includes advice on nutrition, lifestyle and sun screen.
Important note: If you already suffer from skin disease(s), follow our recommendations for action only after consulting a medical practitioner in order to check whether they are in harmony with your current therapy!
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What influences the skin?
As a protective barrier, your skin is directly exposed to various environmental influences. UV exposure and exhaust gases can stimulate inflammatory processes in the skin. But an unhealthy diet as well as heavy nicotine and alcohol consumption also affect your skin health.
All these factors accelerate skin ageing due to oxidative stress: the skin dehydrates, loses elasticity and robustness. Wrinkles form more frequently. In addition, the skin becomes more susceptible to inflammation.
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What is the tendency to oxidative stress?
Oxidative stress is the result of a large number of so-called free radicals in your body. Free radicals are oxygen molecules that can cause inflammation in cells and are, among other things, believed to promote cardiovascular diseases, cancer and skin ageing.
EA genetic predisposition can possibly ensure that some people are more likely to develop free radicals and therefore oxidative stress. During oxidative stress, the body tends to shut down collagen production: Wrinkles and dry skin are possible consequences. Dry skin tears more quickly, making it easier for bacteria and fungi to enter the skin and trigger inflammation or fungal skin infections.
One of the things that can help are the opponents of free radicals, the antioxidants. They protect the cells from the harmful effects of oxidative stress. Antioxidants can be supplied in a targeted way through nutrition; antioxidant nutrients include vitamins C, E and B2, zinc, selenium and iodine, as well as secondary plant compounds.
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What is the tendency to collagen degradation?
The protein collagen is mainly found in connective tissue. It keeps the skin robust and elastic. With age, collagen production decreases, which can cause the skin to become slack and inelastic. A genetic predisposition can additionally ensure that certain people break down collagen more and quicker than others.
With the right nutrition, you can help your skin produce collagen. Important nutrients for collagen formation are vitamin C and the two amino acids proline and glycine. Proline and glycine are protein components from predominantly animal foods such as eggs, fish and meat. Foods with a lot of simple carbohydrates (such as table sugar, white flour and convenience foods), on the other hand, could inhibit collagen formation - so you should rather avoid them.
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What is the sensitivity to sunlight?
We need the UV light from the sun to form the essential vitamin D in the body. On the other hand, too much exposure to sunlight can damage the skin. UV radiation promotes collagen breakdown and damages skin cells in such a way that sunburn, inflammation and skin cancer could develop.
A genetic predisposition can possibly cause some people to react more sensibly to sunlight - damage to the skin could become more likely as a result. The right care can help. This includes adequate head and body coverage and the right sunscreen.
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Which genes are being analysed?
The cerascreen® DNA Skin Test uses state-of-the-art biotechnology to analyse specific characteristics of four genes. These are also referred to as gene variants.
Here we show you the genes and gene variants that will be analysed with the DNA Skin Test:
- SOD2: The gene variant examined can lead to two genes being produced in a lower degree. The risk for oxidative stress could then be increased.
- IL6 und TNF-Alpha: The gene variant studied is related to the increased production of certain inflammatory substances.
- IRF4: The gene variant examined determines the pigmentation of the skin and thus the sensitivity to sunlight.
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For whom is the DNA Skin Test not suitable?
People with contagious diseases like hepatitis are not allowed to take the DNA Metabolism Test.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women should only carry out the DNA Metabolism Test under medical supervision. The reference values and recommendations do not apply to them, so they should obtain recommendations on the test result from their doctor.
The DNA Metabolism Test is not suitable for children under the age of 18
The test is not intended to diagnose diseases. For example, if you experience unexplainable weight loss or obesity, you should consult a doctor.
