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Seen At 11: DNA Swabs Bring A More Personal Focus To Skin Care

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Skin care is getting more personal than ever.

Now, it's your DNA that can help determine the products you need for younger more vibrant skin.

"They took the swab, they sent it off to the lab and said you know, 'we'll be in touch in several weeks when we get all the results back,'" Beverly Galloway recalled.

Galloway wasn't waiting for results from just any medical test, she took a DNA test.

The simple cheek swab will help her learn more about her skin and the specific areas she should focus on.

"Skincare customization is kind of where we're going and the DNA test just takes that to a whole other level," Dr. Sejal Shah told CBS2's Alice Gainer.

Dr. Shah, a dermatologist, said he believes the future of healthcare lies in the personalization that DNA testing can provide.

"It just gives you a sort of guideline as to how you should be tailoring your skincare," Dr. Shah said.

Dr. Ruthie Harper helped develop a test that looks at the genetics behind five different factors: collagen formation, antioxidant protection, sun protection, glycation protection, and sensitivity control.

"And that report is going to tell you specific information about high, medium, and low priority areas of skin health and beauty so that you can make specific skincare decisions. The goal was to get faster results, better results, more cost effectively with, with less trial and error," Dr. Harper said.

Not everyone is convinced DNA testing, which can range from $99 to $400, and up is the key to fighting wrinkles, dark spots, and more, at least right now.

"Rest assured that there is more similarities in our DNA than there are differences and most of the products that you have available now will do just great for you even if you don't know your own specific DNA," said Dr. Doris Day, Clinical Associate Professor of Dermatology at NYU Langone Medical Center.

Still, Galloway said she's changed her skincare routine since learning her results, and has already seen improvements in her skin tone and texture.

"It just feels healthier, which is important to me," she said.

 

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