The Ages of our Skin: New programme from British Skin Foundation and ITN Business out now
“The Ages of our Skin,” a news-style programme raising awareness of skin health and different skin conditions across the ages is available to watch now.
The programme is a partnership between The British Skin Foundation (BSF) and ITN Business and is hosted by presenter and journalist Louise Minchin.
It takes an unfiltered look at the body’s largest organ - the skin, in a bid to raise understanding of how the skin changes as we age, awareness of skin diseases both common and rare and knowledge of developments in dermatology that combat these.
The online show is broken down into seven bitesize videos, five of which are reporter-led films from partners, Ameliorate, Boots, Dermal, Olay and Sanofi. Here conversations around industry trends, the democratisation of skincare and cross-industry collaboration can be found.
The first video introduces a group of patient advocates of all ages who have suffered from various skin conditions from acne and eczema to skin cancer and dominant dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DDEB) - a rare inherited condition in which the skin blisters extremely easily.
Patient advocate Poppy, age 17 said; “I think people with acne are quite overlooked because it can take a huge mental toll. I found solace in skin positivity. It made me feel confident, happy and comfortable in my own skin and reminded me that living with acne or any skin condition doesn't define who we are.”
The patients got to sit down with consultant dermatologist Dr Emma Wedgeworth to talk about their conditons and ask questions.
“The Ages of our Skin” also features studio interviews with consultant dermatologist Dr Anjali Mahto and British Skin Foundation CEO Matthew Patey discussing skin concerns as we age, decelerating the ageing process, and what the BSF is doing to address “the minefield of information and misinformation available.”
“We have access to the real information, the real advice and expertise that is necessary when talking about skin disease and skin health,” said Patey.
“The internet is such a double-edged sword, there is no getting away from that,” added Mahto. “Knowledge is power providing that it’s good quality knowledge, credible and comes from a good source.”
Also in the studio interviews, Patey alluded to some of the areas that BSF is aiming to focus on in the future which include skin diversity and the psychological impact of skin disease.
“That has been overlooked and it will be interesting to do a lot more research into that area,” he said, noting that the effects of skin disorders can often be worse psychologically than they are physically.
Speaking of the partnership, Patey said; “Throughout our lives, our skin changes and, with that, how we need to look after it changes. At the British Skin Foundation, we know how important it is to be able to access trusted information to help with your skin through the different stages of life. Working with ITN Business has given us the opportunity to raise awareness of skin health and highlight the important work both we and our partners do.”