Topical Rapamycin Reduces Markers of Skin Aging: Pilot Study
GeroScience (2019)
0.1% topical rapamycin applied to hands for 8 months increased collagen VII and reduced p16INK4A (senescence marker) vs placebo.
How it works
Marek's Guided Optimization® Program combines advanced lab testing, a dedicated health coach and medical provider, and a personalized treatment plan, all built around your data.
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The process
1
Start your assessment
Complete your 45-min intake assessment
2
Get your labs drawn
4,000 partnered lab locations nationwide
3
Review with your coach
Screen-by-screen lab review
4
Receive your protocol
Treatment delivered to your door
Why Marek
The only program pairing you with a dedicated health coach and medical provider, built on precision diagnostics, with no subscription required.
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Meet our co-founder
Derek
Co-Founder · MPMD Podcast
"Over time, I found it incredibly difficult to get medical oversight for myself and my family that reflected the latest research, and that was preventative. That's why I started Marek Health."
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What we test
Every client's lab panel is hand-selected from 1,000+ available biomarkers, built around their specific goals.
Panel categories
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Treatments
700+ medical provider-prescribed therapies built from your labs. Browse by category or explore the full formulary.
Rapamycin Cream (Topical Sirolimus)
Topical cream (0.01%)Not available in all statesMarketing purposes only. Actual medications, if prescribed, are dispensed by a licensed pharmacy.
skin
Rapamycin Cream (Topical Sirolimus)Rapamycin Cream (Topical Sirolimus)
Topical mTORC1 inhibitor for skin anti-aging. Reduces cellular senescence, improves collagen production, and has demonstrated improvement in skin aging markers in pilot studies. Minimal systemic absorption at 0.01% concentration.
Reduces cellular senescence markers in skin
Improves collagen production
Minimal systemic absorption
Novel mechanism distinct from retinoids
No commitment · HSA/FSA eligibleNo commitment · HSA/FSA eligible
How it works
Mechanism of action
Topical mTORC1 inhibition in skin fibroblasts and keratinocytes enhances autophagy, reduces cellular senescence (SASP factors), improves collagen synthesis, and may reduce UV-induced photoaging.
The baseline panel.
Every Marek client receives this baseline panel before a provider review. Your provider may add additional biomarkers based on your health history, symptoms, and goals, pulling from 1,000+ available markers. See more biomarkers →
Hormone Profile
12 markers
Sex hormones
- Total TestosteroneLC/MS
- Free TestosteroneEquilibrium Dialysis
- Estradiol, Sensitive / UltrasensitiveLC/MS
- Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG)
- ProgesteroneLC/MSFemale panel
- Prolactin
- Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
- Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
- hCG, Total, QuantitativeFemale panel, pre-menopause
Adrenals & neurosteroids
- Cortisol
- DHEA-S
Growth hormone / IGF-1
- Insulin-Like Growth Factor I (IGF-1)
Thyroid Status
3 markers
Thyroid hormones
- Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
- Free T4
- Free T3
Heart Health
9 markers
Cardiovascular health
- Total Cholesterol
- HDL Cholesterol
- LDL Cholesterol
- LDL:HDL Ratio
- VLDL Cholesterol
- Triglycerides
- Apolipoprotein-B (ApoB)
- C-Reactive Protein, High Sensitivity (hsCRP)
- Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a))
Metabolism
3 markers
Insulin sensitivity
- Blood Glucose
- Fasting Insulin
- HbA1c
Organ Function
26 markers
Liver & pancreas
- AST
- ALT
- Bilirubin, Total
- γ-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT)
Kidney function
- BUN
- Creatinine w/ eGFR
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
- Glucose
- Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
- Creatinine
- eGFR
- BUN/Creatinine Ratio
- Sodium
- Potassium
- Chloride
- Carbon Dioxide, Total
- Calcium
- Protein, Total
- Albumin
- Globulin, Total
- Albumin/Globulin (A/G) Ratio
- Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)
- AST
- ALT
Prostate health
- Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA)Male panel
- Free PSAMale panel
- % Free PSAMale panel
Nutrient Status
31 markers
Vitamins & minerals
- Vitamin D, 25-OHD (25-Hydroxy)
- Magnesium, RBC
Iron status
- Iron
- Iron Saturation
- TIBC
- UIBC
- Ferritin
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- White Blood Count (WBC)
- Red Blood Count (RBC)
- Hemoglobin (Hgb)
- Hematocrit (HCT)
- MCV
- MCH
- MCHC
- Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW)
- Platelets
- Neutrophils
- Neutrophils (Absolute)
- Lymphocytes
- Lymphocytes (Absolute)
- Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio
- Monocytes
- Monocytes (Absolute)
- Eosinophils
- Eosinophils (Absolute)
- Basophils
- Basophils (Absolute)
- Immature Cells
- Immature Granulocytes
- Immature Granulocytes (Absolute)
- NRBC, w/ Reflex for Immature Cells
Clinical evidence
The research behind Rapamycin Cream (Topical Sirolimus).
Safety profile
Monitoring & safety information.
Commonly reported side effects
- Local irritation
- Dryness
- Mild erythema
Less common but serious risks
- Minimal at topical concentrations
- Delayed wound healing at application site
Generally not appropriate for
- Active skin infection at site
- Pregnancy
Typical monitoring
- Skin assessment
- Tolerance assessment
FAQ
Quick answers.
Topical mTORC1 inhibitor for skin anti-aging. Reduces cellular senescence, improves collagen production, and has demonstrated improvement in skin aging markers in pilot studies. Minimal systemic absorption at 0.01% concentration.
Reduces cellular senescence markers in skin. Improves collagen production. Minimal systemic absorption. Novel mechanism distinct from retinoids.
Common side effects include: local irritation, dryness, mild erythema. Most side effects are dose-dependent and may resolve with continued use or dose adjustment.
Topical mTORC1 inhibitor for skin anti-aging. Reduces cellular senescence, improves collagen production, and has demonstrated improvement in skin aging markers in pilot studies. Minimal systemic absorption at 0.01% concentration.
Treatments are dependent on licensed clinical prescription. Client costs vary based on individual labs and panel in treatments and services.