The Role of Skin Microbiome in Enhancing Cosmetological Treatment Outcomes

The microbiome of the skin is a complex ecosystem that includes various types of microorganisms, which lives on the surface or the top layers of the skin.

These microorganisms plays an important role in regulating skin’s barrier functions and inflammatory response with pathogen protection.

In the past years the number of scientific researches about skin’s microbiome influence on the performance of different cosmetic procedures are increasing highly.

Understanding this phenomenon is crucial for the better results prediction.

Let’s break down every question regarding this topic:

What is a skin’s microbiome?

Skin’s microbiome is a complex combination of different microorganisms in the epidermis and deems layers of the skin. Every part of the skin has a unique microbe profile that depends on a bunch of factors, such as age, climate and gender.

The main microorganisms in skin’s microbiology are:

⁃ Bacteria. The most popular kinds are Staphylococcus epidermidis, Propionibacterium acnes, Corynebacterium. These bacteria protects us from different pathogens and overall considered guardians of the skin.

⁃ The fungus. Malassezia - the most common skin fungus that easily can cause bacterial imbalance.

⁃ Viruses. Such as Bacteriophage that can affect the bacterial flora of the skin.

Micro biome functions:

1. Pathogen protection. Microorganisms are competing with pathogens for the resources and therefore prevent their spread.

2. Barrier function. Integrity of the skin barrier stays intact because of microorganisms ability to protect the skin from harmful substances. It’s happening due to peptides such as cathelicidins and defences.

3. Immune regulation. Microorganisms influence the immune response and lowering anti inflammatory reaction.

Types of skin’s microbiome:

Normal skin’s microbiome.

Normal microbiome is described as balanced and healthy, microorganisms in normal microbiom protect the skin and keep it clean.

The main bacteria is Staphylococcus epidermidis - it prevents infections and colonization of the pathogenic bacteria.

Oily skin’s microbiome.

Oily skin has excess sebum production, which leads to a different type of microbial life. Logically, in this environment the bacteria that metabolizes fats are the one that are most common such as:

Cutibacterium acnes - the main bacteria in oily skin that participates in the sebum disintegration and influence acne and pimple formation.

That’s why the most common skin type amongst people who struggles with acne is oily skin.

Dry skin microbiome. The main microorganisms:

Staphylococcus epidermidis - actually a really helpful bacteria that contributes to lowering the pathogenic microbes. 

So, yes, dry skin is actually less likely to have acne or pimples, but there is a huge con - peeling of the skin, redness, premature wrinkles. That’s why dry skin needs to be hydrated at all times.

Sensitive skin microbiome.

Corynebacterium spp. is only growing in inflamed parts of the skin, which in case of highly sensitive skin is pretty much a big area.

It is not just personal feature of the body - the sensitive skin is considered abnormal and therefore needs to be treated right - we’re going to discuss this soon.

Sensitive skin is more likely to develop rosacea and eczema.

Combination skin. 

Depending on the area, combination skin has oily microbiome as well as dry areas with completely different main microorganisms.

In oily areas the most common bacteria is Cutibacterium Acnes, in dry ones - Staphylococcus epidermidis.

The main problem in this type of skin is its non-uniform microbiom. So because of that people with combination skin can face different conditions like acne and dryness irritation.

Acute dysbiosis.

Microbiome with microbe disbalance is considered pathogenic and can cause severe skin damage such as inflammation and infections.

⁃ Staphylococcus aureus can cause abscess and boil.

⁃ Malassezia - yeast like fungus that can be associated with seborrheic dermatitis and other skin diseases.

Factors that can affect the skin’s microbiome.

Hygienic products: excessive use of aggressive cleansing foams and toners can damage the hydro-lipid layer of the skin.

Cosmetic products: antibacterial agents in cosmetics can wipe out helpful bacteria in the skin.

Ecological factors: pollution, climate change, humidity and even stress can negatively affect the health of the skin barrier.

So, now that we described different types of microbiom, how is this related to cosmetology?

The Impact of the Microbiome on Cosmetic Treatments

1. Chemical Peels and the Microbiome:

Chemical peels, such as glycolic or salicylic acid peels, affect the superficial layers of the epidermis and can alter the composition of the skin microbiota. Research shows that after aggressive peels, the skin microbiome can be altered, potentially increasing the risk of infection or delayed healing. In this regard, it becomes important to use restorative products that not only soothe the skin, but also help restore a healthy microbiome.

2. Laser Treatments:

Laser resurfacing and fractional lasers cause microdamage to the skin, which stimulate regeneration, but can also temporarily disrupt the barrier function and the skin microbiome. The recovery period after such procedures can be associated with an increased risk of bacterial infection, especially in conditions of dysbiosis. The use of probiotic and prebiotic products after procedures can speed up recovery and reduce the risk of complications.

3. Antibiotic therapy and the microbiome:

The use of antibiotics in cosmetology, especially in the treatment of acne, can cause an imbalance in the microbiome, which sometimes leads to the development of resistant bacterial strains or other side effects, such as exacerbation of fungal infections. The introduction of probiotics and synbiotics into cosmetics after antibiotic therapy is considered a promising method for restoring normal skin microflora.

As we stated earlier, there is different types of microbiome, but the most healthy one is the normal microbiome. And to increase effectiveness from cosmetic procedures and overall look of the skin we aim to achieve the “normal” microbiome.

It can easily be done with pre- and probiotics.

Probiotics are living organisms like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium that can be used locally for strengthening the skin barrier.

Prebiotic is a substrate such as inulin and fructooligosaccharides that nourish the healthy microorganisms in our skin.

Postbiotics are metabolites that are released by probiotics, the best example is short chain fatty acids because they are present anti-inflammatory actions.

Little tips for cosmetologists:

To better predict the outcome of aggressive procedures like laser treatments or deep peelings we recommend to pay attention to the client’s microbiome.

Soft cleansing foam with neutral pH.

Avoid too harsh cleansing products to not disturb or dry the skin barrier and cause skin flaking.

Recommend certain prebiotics for skin barrier protection, it can help with better procedure’s outcome. 

Preparation before the treatments is one of the most important steps to achieve the perfect results, check out our article to learn more: https://toxifillers.com/index.php?route=blog/article&article_id=20

The skin microbiome plays a key role in maintaining the health and integrity of the skin barrier, and also affects the effectiveness of cosmetic procedures. To optimize results and reduce the risk of complications such as infections and delayed healing, cosmetologists should consider the state of the patient's microbiome, use probiotic and prebiotic products, and avoid aggressive effects on the skin without subsequent rehabilitation.