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Sparavigna. Plast Aesthet Res 2020;7:14 Plastic and
DOI: 10.20517/2347-9264.2019.73 Aesthetic Research

Review Open Access

Role of the extracellular matrix in skin aging and

dedicated treatment - State of the art

Adele Sparavigna

Derming, Clinical Research and Bioengineering Institute, Milan 20159, Italy.
Correspondence to: Dr. Adele Sparavigna, Derming, Clinical Research and Bioengineering Institute, Milan 20159, Italy.
E-mail: adele.sparavigna@yahoo.it
How to cite this article: Sparavigna A. Role of the extracellular matrix in skin aging and dedicated treatment - State of the art. Plast Aesthet
Res 2020;7:14. http://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2347-9264.2019.73

Received: 13 Dec 2019 First Decision: 25 Feb 2020 Revised: 3 Mar 2020 Accepted: 12 Mar 2020 Published: 20 Mar 2020
Science Editors: John Yousif, Kai O. Kaye Copy Editor: Jing-Wen Zhang Production Editor: Tian Zhang

Abstract

The extracellular matrix (ECM) occupies the space between cell and cell, and serves as a sort of intranet which connects
the whole organism. Current research is focused on the ECM and, it is now possible to develop increasingly effective
strategies for the prevention and treatment of degenerative diseases and even, cutaneous ageing. In fact, the most
advanced anti-aging treatments are those that regenerate the ECM, which is now regarded as the main player in the
physical support of, and exchange with and between cells of nutrients, cellular mediators and growth factors.

Keywords: Collagen, elastin, hyaluronic acid, extracellular matrix, matrisome

INTRODUCTION
[1]
Skin aging is a complex and unavoidable biological phenomenon that starts in the third decade of life .
The aging processes is determined by a combination of intrinsic (chronological, hormonal and genetic) and
extrinsic factors. The latter can be further divided into behavioural factors like sun exposure (responsible
for photo-aging), cigarette smoking, dietary habits, alcohol intake, drug abuse and environmental factors
such as pollution, weather, and humidity. Between individuals, genetics, as well as lifestyle habits, are all
[2]
different. Therefore, aging at large, and skin aging in particular, are extremely variable . Skin aging is a
dynamic process that results in structural alterations of soft and bony tissues . The silhouette of the face
[3]
and body change as a result of atrophy of its various constituent layers: from skin to subcutaneous adipose
tissue including loss of muscle mass and, to a lesser extent, resorption of bone, wrinkles, hypotonicity,
lipoatrophy, sarcopenia and volume displacement may result. Furthermore, to counteract atrophy, a

© The Author(s) 2020. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
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