Skin Vitality Test

The Home Test Box Skin Vitality Test measures the levels of vitamin D and six hormones that may affect your skin health.

The Home Test Box Skin Vitality Test includes the following seven markers:

• Estradiol
• Progesterone
• Free Testosterone
• DHEA
• Cortisol
• Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
• Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a nutrient that helps the body absorb calcium and phosphorus, which are crucial for maintaining strong and healthy bones. It also affects immune function, cell growth, and keeping your muscles and nerves working normally.

Vitamin D has been linked to several skin health benefits, including calming inflammation, protecting the skin, and improving cell turnover.

Vitamin D is known as the "sunshine vitamin" because the body can produce it when the skin is exposed to sunlight. However, many people do not get enough vitamin D from sunlight alone and may need to obtain it from other sources, like food or supplements.

Before your body can use vitamin D, your liver must change it into 25 hydroxyvitamin D, or 25(OH)D. Most vitamin D blood tests, including the Home Test Box Vitamin D Test, measure the level of 25(OH)D in your blood.

Your kidneys use 25(OH)D to make "active vitamin D," which allows your body to use calcium to build bones and help other cells work properly.

Vitamin D deficiency can lead to weak bones and an increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures.

Sources:

Vitamin D. Medlineplus.gov. Published 2021. Accessed January 19, 2023. https://medlineplus.gov/vitamind.html

Vitamin D Test. Medlineplus.gov. Published 2022. Accessed January 19, 2023. https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/vitamin-d-test/

The Skin Vitality Test requires you to self-collect a saliva and blood spot sample. 

View details on how to collect a saliva sample here.

View details on how to collect a blood spot sample here.

Estradiol is a form of estrogen that plays a role in maintaining skin health. It helps to keep the skin thick, hydrated, and elastic by stimulating the production of collagen and hyaluronic acid. It also helps regulate oil production, which can reduce dryness and keep the skin looking youthful.

Estradiol also plays a role in protecting the skin from UV damage by increasing the production of melanin, which is the pigment that gives color to the skin and hair. It also helps to repair DNA damage in the skin cells caused by UV radiation.

However, a decrease in estradiol levels can lead to skin thinning, decreased elasticity, and dryness, which can lead to wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots.

Testosterone can affect the skin in a few ways. It can increase the size of oil glands, leading to acne. It can also cause hair growth and thickening of the skin. Additionally, low levels of testosterone can lead to a decrease in collagen production, resulting in thinner, less elastic skin.

Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced in the adrenal glands and released in response to stressors like exercise and illness. While it’s often referred to as the “stress hormone,” cortisol has many other bodily functions, including blood sugar and metabolism regulation. 

Studies show that chronic stress may also negatively affect overall skin health and exacerbate conditions like psoriasis, rosacea, eczema, acne, and hair loss.

DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands, the ovaries, and the testes. It is a precursor to other hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone.

DHEA levels typically decrease with age, and some studies have suggested that supplementing with DHEA may have anti-aging effects on the skin by improving hydration and firmness. However, more research is needed to confirm these effects and to determine the appropriate dosage.

It is important to note that DHEA is a hormone and should be used with caution, as high doses can have negative side effects, and people with certain medical conditions should not use it without consulting a doctor.