The 16th International Congress on Skin Ageing & Challenges, scheduled for November 11-12, 2025, in Valencia, Spain, promises to be a landmark event in dermatological science and gerontology. This congress will convene an international cadre of scientists, clinicians, and industry leaders to dissect the complex biological underpinnings of skin ageing and devise innovative interventions. Situated at the interface between fundamental research and practical application, the meeting aims to accelerate transformative strategies to combat not only cutaneous ageing but also broader systemic decline associated with aging.
Skin ageing is an immensely multifaceted biological phenomenon, arising from the intricate interplay of both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Intrinsic elements include cellular senescence, telomere attrition, stochastic genetic programming, and protein homeostasis dysregulation. On the other hand, extrinsic drivers such as chronic ultraviolet radiation exposure, environmental pollutants, and shifts in the skin’s microbiome substantially alter its physiological state. This duality underscores the necessity of a holistic framework to both understand and therapeutically address dermal senescence, pushing the field away from simplistic, linear models to ones embracing complexity and integration.
This event underscores a critical “strategy gap” in current approaches to skin ageing. While many interventions have targeted isolated molecular pathways—such as reactive oxygen species neutralization or collagen synthesis—the multifactorial nature of skin ageing demands comprehensive programs that engage multiple biological networks simultaneously. The upcoming congress aims to bridge this gap, stressing the synergy between senescence modulation, epigenetic reprogramming, microbiome homeostasis, and metabolic optimization as foundational pillars for next-generation therapeutic modalities.
A highlight of the congress will be the keynote address by Professor Vladimir A. Botchkarev from Boston University School of Medicine. His presentation will delve into the epigenetic regulation of skin ageing-associated genes through a comparative biology lens, examining short-lived versus long-lived mammalian species. This comparative approach holds promise for uncovering conserved protective mechanisms that could be exploited to develop novel interventions conducive to extending skin and organismal healthspan.
Among the thematic foci, cellular senescence and its clinical modulation will feature prominently. Novel senolytic and senomorphic strategies, including natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapies and targeted manipulation of mTORC1-lysosomal signaling pathways, are poised to revolutionize how medically we approach ageing tissues. These interventions aim not only to clear senescent cells but also to restore tissue microenvironments, thus promoting rejuvenation and functional recovery.
The congress will also shed light on the epigenetic and circadian dimensions of skin ageing. Advanced techniques such as circadian proteomics and comparative epigenomics are now elucidating how temporal gene expression patterns and structural chromatin modifications contribute to age-related phenotypic changes in the skin. Understanding these rhythms could pave the way for chronotherapy strategies that optimize treatment efficacy by aligning interventions with intrinsic biological clocks.
Another frontier explored will be the triadic interplay between the skin microbiome, immune responses, and environmental factors. Skin health hinges on a delicately balanced microbial ecosystem that interacts with host immune mechanisms. Disruptions in this dialogue can precipitate inflammaging, barrier dysfunction, and heightened susceptibility to exogenous stressors. Cutting-edge research into microbial restoration and environmental modulation therapies is set to advance substantially as part of this congress.
Significant attention will be given to damage repair and proteostasis mechanisms underlying skin ageing. Inflammaging—chronic, low-grade inflammation associated with ageing—contributes to progressive tissue degeneration and impaired protein quality control. Innovations ranging from nanotechnology-enabled targeting of senescent cells to biomaterial scaffolds and polyphenol-based bioactives provide promising avenues to restore homeostasis and counteract proteotoxic stress.
The congress also serves as a critical translational hub, aiming to accelerate the movement of discoveries “from lab to market.” By spotlighting inventions such as nanocarriers for precision delivery, synthetic biomaterials tailored for skin regeneration, and new classes of polyphenolic compounds, the event will foster collaborations between academic institutions and industry players dedicated to developing next-generation skincare therapeutics.
Call for abstracts and innovation pitches invites researchers and corporations alike to contribute their latest findings and technologies. The emphasis on polyphenol innovations and smart biomaterials underscores the industry’s quest to harness nature-derived compounds and advanced engineering to address the unmet clinical needs in skin ageing.
Jean Krutmann, President of Skin Ageing & Challenges 2025, highlights the broader significance of this research: “The skin is not only a protective barrier but also a sophisticated biological sensor. Deciphering its ageing processes offers insights into systemic ageing and whole-body rejuvenation strategies.” This perspective aligns skin biology at the nexus of dermatology, immunology, and geroscience, signifying the potential for skin-focused therapies to reverberate across multiple organ systems.
Held in the historic and vibrant city of Valencia, the congress will facilitate international scientific exchange and foster a multidisciplinary approach crucial for progress in the field. The convergence of diverse expertise will expedite the development of integrated interventions that leverage molecular, cellular, and environmental dimensions of skin ageing.
Ultimately, the 16th International Congress on Skin Ageing & Challenges represents a critical milestone in the ongoing quest to understand and modulate the ageing process at the skin level. By uniting cutting-edge research, translational innovation, and collaborative discourse, the event is poised to influence dermatological practice and aging research for years to come.
Subject of Research: Skin ageing biology and therapeutic interventions
Article Title: Revolutionary Insights and Integrated Strategies at the 16th International Congress on Skin Ageing & Challenges 2025
News Publication Date: Not provided
Web References: www.skin-challenges.com
Image Credits: Skin Ageing & Challenges 2025
Keywords: Cells, Skin, Skin regeneration
