Metabolic Aging and Cutaneous Markers of Metabolic Syndrome: A Narrative Review

This narrative review explores the relationship between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its impact on the skin, highlighting how cutaneous markers can indicate underlying metabolic dysfunction. MetS, characterized by central obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and impaired glucose regulation, accelerates biological aging through mechanisms like inflammaging and oxidative stress. The review identifies skin conditions such as acanthosis nigricans, skin tags, acne in PCOS, hidradenitis suppurativa, and early-onset androgenetic alopecia (AGA) as markers of insulin resistance and metabolic dysregulation. Early-onset AGA, in particular, is strongly linked to insulin resistance and increased cardiometabolic risk. Understanding these connections is crucial for dermatologists and aesthetic practitioners, as metabolic dysfunction influences wound healing, treatment response, and procedural safety.