https://medicalxpress.com/skin-hair-news/ en-us Latest health news and information about Skin & Hair Care As we age, the skin loses part of its ability to regenerate, heal wounds and maintain an effective barrier against the outside world. Among the causes of this deterioration is low-grade, persistent age-associated inflammation, but the mechanisms that keep this response active in skin cells are not yet well understood. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-08-aging-reprograms-skin-genetic-inflammation.html Wed, 19 Aug 2026 05:00:03 EDT news706268221 Upadacitinib is a medication widely used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis that works by inhibiting Janus kinase (JAK) enzymes, which are involved in signaling pathways that regulate immune responses. Now, scientists have found another application for this immune system-modulating drug. Two recent Phase III international trials involving 1,399 people found that upadacitinib helped with alopecia areata, which causes people to lose hair, resulting in small, round bald patches on the scalp and elsewhere on the body. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-08-common-arthritis-pill-repurposed-boost.html Mon, 17 Aug 2026 12:40:01 EDT news706178056 A new study of sunscreens, baby lotions, shampoos, soaps and other everyday products found that nearly all contained chemicals not disclosed on their labels. Most contained at least one unlabeled chemical with known or suspected health hazards, and one in four contained a chemical that contradicted claims on the package, including "phthalate-free" products that contained phthalates. The research is published in Environment & Health. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-08-everyday-personal-products-unlabeled-chemicals.html Tue, 11 Aug 2026 15:40:08 EDT news705672061 Adding oral antihistamines to existing eczema treatments is unlikely to lead to clinically important reductions in eczema and itch severity and may not reduce sleep disturbance or flare-ups, finds a review of the latest trial evidence published by The BMJ today. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-antihistamines-meaningful-benefit-eczema.html Wed, 29 Jul 2026 18:30:01 EDT news704463061 Researchers at VIB and KU Leuven, together with international collaborators, have discovered that blocking autophagy—the body's natural recycling system for worn-out cell components—in specialized blood vessels can reduce inflammation in mice with psoriasis. Unlike many current therapies, this strategy reduces inflammation without weakening the immune system. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-body-natural-recycling-inflammation.html Tue, 28 Jul 2026 12:20:08 EDT news704456941 Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks and destroys melanocytes, the cells that produce the skin pigment melanin. Once the melanocytes are gone, the skin turns white, leading to the characteristic skin patches of the disease. However, the standard model of vitiligo doesn't explain some of its unusual features. Some vitiligo lesions repigment, and treatments sometimes restore pigmentation even in areas that lack melanocytes, suggesting that the melanocytes may not be fully destroyed. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-dormant-pigment-cells-vitiligo-patches.html Thu, 23 Jul 2026 15:00:08 EDT news704031481 The use of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity is associated with an increased risk of hair loss (alopecia) in adults with type 2 diabetes, a study published by The BMJ finds. Although the absolute risk is low, awareness of this potential effect may help inform shared treatment decisions, the researchers say. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-glp-diabetes-drugs-linked-higher.html Wed, 22 Jul 2026 18:30:01 EDT news703914961 Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease affecting more than 60 million people worldwide, characterized by painful red patches, scaling and skin thickening. While existing biologic treatments largely focus on calming hyperactive T cells in the skin, complete disease resolution remains challenging. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-skin-bone-marrow-axis-discovery.html Wed, 22 Jul 2026 13:00:04 EDT news703941362 Biohub researchers have performed what they believe is the first genome-wide CRISPR study of primary human adult skin cells, then used an AI model to mine the results for overlooked drug targets for psoriasis. They found an unlikely candidate: the receptor for oxytocin, a hormone involved in childbirth and sometimes called the "love hormone" for its additional role in social bonding. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-ai-crispr-uncovers-oxytocin-receptor.html Wed, 08 Jul 2026 17:40:01 EDT news702741456 You've likely heard it since childhood: Don't scratch that bug bite or rash, you'll make it worse. But why would something that feels so good be bad? https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-bug-good-science-bad-idea.html Sat, 27 Jun 2026 15:28:31 EDT news701792886 Two proteins with opposing functions orchestrate the development and maintenance of healthy skin, Stanford Medicine researchers have found. Modulating their activity with topical drugs could reduce inflammation, aid wound healing and slow or halt the growth of skin cancer, the researchers believe. The findings are published in the journal Science. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-opposing-protein-pathways-skin-stem.html Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:53:35 EDT news701621585 Sunscreen is overwhelmingly promoted in popular TikTok videos, but content containing health misinformation about sunscreen attracts disproportionately high audience engagement, according to a new study published June 18 in the open access journal PLOS Digital Health by Alessandro Marcon of the University of Alberta, Canada, and colleagues. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-sunscreen-misinformation-high-engagement-tiktok.html Thu, 18 Jun 2026 14:00:03 EDT news700988821 Working with mouse models, research led by the University of Michigan has revealed previously hidden biology of how touch-sensitive hairs create itching sensations. This fundamental discovery opens new avenues to better understand and potentially address human health conditions characterized by persistent itchiness. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-peach-fuzz-clues-chronic-treatments.html Fri, 05 Jun 2026 12:20:02 EDT news699879601 Three-quarters of people who respond well to the newest types of biologics for psoriasis can safely reduce their dosage, often even by half. These medications then work just as effectively, according to a study led by Radboud University Medical Center and Ghent University Hospital. The finding results in fewer injections and saves up to €8,500 (~$9,900) per patient per year. The study is published in The Lancet Regional Health—Europe. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-medicines-dosage-stable-psoriasis.html Mon, 01 Jun 2026 19:30:01 EDT news699521941