Why patient lifestyle matters: Fatigue emerges as a measurable, direct aggravator of wrinkles, elasticity, and tone
Today’s report also covers research into prurigo pigmentosa after bariatric surgery, defining and decoding skin glow, and more (Issue #110, 1,450 words, 7 minutes)
Good morning, and welcome to the Women in Dermatology newsletter from Chronicle Companies. We’re pleased to have you join us. Let’s get you updated on new findings regarding dermatologic issues that affect women — and the female dermatologists who care for them. We welcome your feedback and suggestions. Please let us know if you have any comments or observations. You can email them to us at health@chronicle.org. This biweekly bulletin is presented with the support of our friends at Galderma Canada.
A study in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (Jan. 21, 2026; 25(1): e70679)evaluated the effects of sustained work-related fatigue on the skin condition of women exposed to extremely intensive work schedules. The researchers found that cumulative work-related fatigue over a single workweek worsened visible signs of aging, skin elasticity and colour, and overall skin quality.
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The authors enrolled 31 Chinese women aged 30 to 45 years following the “996” work pattern, meaning working from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six consecutive days per week. Fatigue was evaluated using the Chalder Fatigue Questionnaire and lifestyle assessments. Baseline clinical and instrumental skin evaluations were conducted before the working week, and repeated after one, three, and five working days. At each visit, fatigue scores were reassessed, and a dermatologist conducted standardized clinical grading with device-based measurements of wrinkles, pigmentation, elasticity, and skin colour.
The results showed that fatigue levels increased steadily from Sunday to Friday, coinciding with prolonged working hours, reduced sleep duration, and limited outdoor time. Self-reported data showed that participants strongly associated fatigue with health disturbances, including sleep disruption, anxiety, irritability, and physical complaints.
The authors determined that skin-related concerns were the most reported physical effects, with dullness, dark circles, and increased fine lines identified as the most noticeable changes during periods of intense work. Clinical grading indicated that signs of facial aging worsened with increasing fatigue. The assessment found that periocular fine lines increased consistently during workdays, cheek fine lines declined midweek, and overall wrinkle scores rose progressively, peaking by day five.
Instrumental assessments also showed weekday changes in skin colour, elasticity, and surface characteristics. Measures indicated that skin elasticity declined by midweek, while skin yellowness increased. Parameters associated with barrier stress and acne risk also shifted during workdays, suggesting that fatigue affected the skin's structural and functional properties.
The findings suggest that short-term, repeated fatigue can exacerbate visible signs of aging and impair skin quality in otherwise healthy women.
The Takeaway: The study found that short-term, cumulative work-related fatigue over a single workweek can significantly impact visible skin aging and overall skin quality. Furthermore, even brief exposure to extreme work schedules can produce rapid, visible changes in skin appearance. It also found that fatigue increased steadily with longer working hours, reduced sleep, and limited recovery, with dullness, dark circles, and fine lines emerging as the most noticeable changes.
A review published in Dermatology Research and Practice evaluated the potential association between prurigo pigmentosa and bariatric surgery. The researchers found that most reported post-surgical prurigo pigmentosa cases occurred in young women and were linked to rapid weight loss and ketosis.
The authors searched PubMed and Google Scholar for case reports describing prurigo pigmentosa after bariatric procedures. They identified eight cases, six involving young women, with onset typically within days to weeks after surgery. The results showed that prurigo pigmentosa management often involved discontinuation of ketogenic or restrictive diets and antibiotics, with symptom improvement in most cases. Additionally, residual hyperpigmentation commonly persisted following resolution of the inflammatory phase.
Mental health, dermatology-related quality of life, and the role of probiotics
A study published in the Journal of Dermatologic Science and Cosmetic Technology examined the associations between anxiety, depression, stress, dermatology-related quality of life, and probiotic intake in Brazilian adults. The researchers found that women consistently reported higher levels of anxiety, depression, and stress than men, along with greater impairment in dermatology-related quality of life.
The authors analyzed data from 305 adults collected through an online questionnaire assessing mental health and dermatology-related quality of life. The findings showed that anxiety, depression, and stress were significantly associated with poorer dermatology-related quality of life. Probiotic consumption and body mass index were not meaningfully related to mental health outcomes. The results show that psychological distress and its dermatological impact are greater in women, reinforcing the need for integrated, gender-sensitive approaches to skin and mental health care.
Defining and decoding skin ‘glow’ of women with skin phototype IV+ living in South Africa
A study in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science evaluated how South African women understand and pursue clean skin “glow,” meaning clear and radiant skin, on the face and body, using skincare alone. The researchers found that South African women associate skin glow primarily with hydration, moisturization, and skin evenness, and actively pursue it for both face and body through consistent skincare routines.
The authors used a hybrid qualitative and quantitative design involving focus groups and in-home interviews with 146 South African women with Fitzpatrick scale skin tones IV-VI. The findings showed that participants defined skin glow as a hydrated and moisturized appearance, most often described as smooth, healthy-looking, radiant, or glowing. Daily routines relied on basic products such as soaps, cleansers, and moisturizers for both face and body. Oiliness, dark marks, and uneven skin tone were the main factors participants felt interfered with their glow. Women also reported that consistent skincare routines, along with lifestyle factors such as hydration and sleep, contribute to achieving glow.
The relationship between perceived and chronological age in Chinese women
A study published in the Journal of Dermatologic Science and Cosmetic Technology examined how perceived age relates to chronological age and facial aging features in Chinese women. The researchers found that perceived age was higher than chronological age among younger women, while older women were more often perceived as younger than their actual age.
The authors evaluated 308 women aged 15 to 65 years using standardized facial photography, expert clinical grading, and perceived-age assessments by the other participants. The findings revealed that perceived age correlated with the severity of typical aging features, particularly lower-face changes such as nasolabial folds and marionette lines, as well as skin evenness, radiance, and facial contour.
Miami-based dermatologist Dr. Anna Chacon gives a presentation on common skin conditions during pregnancy at the Skin Spectrum Summit’s Focus on Women in Toronto in October 2025.
A case of trastuzumab-associated prurigo nodularis successfully treated with nemolizumab
A case study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology described a 60-year-old woman with HER2-positive breast cancer who developed severe, generalized pruritus shortly after starting adjuvant paclitaxel, trastuzumab, and pertuzumab. She presented with superficial skin wounds and papulonodular lesions on the upper back, shoulders, arms, and legs. She also reported facial pruritus, predominantly on the left side. The symptoms disrupted her sleep and significantly impaired her quality of life. A clinical examination and skin biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of prurigo nodularis. The patient did not respond to multiple therapies, including high-potency topical corticosteroids, antihistamines, neuromodulators, systemic corticosteroids, aprepitant, dupilumab, or colchicine. She was then treated with nemolizumab, which led to near-complete resolution of pruritus after three monthly doses, sustained improvement for several months, and successful retreatment during a later flare.
“I’ve treated countless women whose skin and hair concerns were brushed off as ‘just aging.’ When I entered perimenopause and experienced these changes myself, it was both a personal and professional wake-up call. We need to do better—and talk about it more.”
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The fatigue skin aging data is useful! Patients always connect stress with breakouts but rarely think about how burnout accelerates fine lines and wrinkles. Nice to have objective measurements to back up the counseling conversation.
The fatigue skin aging data is useful! Patients always connect stress with breakouts but rarely think about how burnout accelerates fine lines and wrinkles. Nice to have objective measurements to back up the counseling conversation.