Dear Editor,
As human space exploration progresses with longer missions to the Moon and Mars, ensuring astronauts’ health in extreme environments becomes increasingly important. Dermatological conditions, often underestimated in space medicine, present unique challenges due to factors such as microgravity, heightened radiation exposure, altered immune responses, and limited access to real-time dermatological care [1, 2]. These challenges stress the need for innovative medical strategies tailored to the unique demands of space. Artificial intelligence (AI) offers the potential to significantly improve dermatological health in space by addressing diagnostic challenges, treatment delivery, and remote monitoring.
Skin health is particularly compromised in space because of prolonged exposure to cosmic radiation, which can accelerate skin aging and increase the risk of cancer. Additionally, microgravity affects skin physiology, impacting wound healing, barrier function, and immune defense. Reports from previous missions have noted increased skin irritation, delayed healing, and worsening of preexisting conditions [3, 4]. The absence of in-flight dermatologists highlights the need for advanced, autonomous solutions to diagnose and manage skin conditions remotely.
AI-driven diagnostic tools, such as deep learning-based image analysis, could play a key role in space medicine. Dermatology-focused AI applications have shown high accuracy in diagnosing skin diseases, including melanoma, psoriasis, and infections, often matching human dermatologists in precision. Integrating these algorithms into spacecraft medical systems would allow astronauts to capture images of suspicious lesions, rashes, or wounds. AI models could then provide real-time assessments and severity scores. Alongside telemedicine, AI can facilitate asynchronous consultations with Earth-based dermatologists, ensuring timely and accurate diagnoses.
The treatment and management of dermatological conditions in space require innovative, autonomous strategies. AI-integrated robotic assistants could help astronauts administer dermatological treatments, such as laser therapy for radiation-induced skin damage or AI-guided microneedle drug delivery for targeted therapy. Furthermore, AI-assisted wearables equipped with biosensors could continuously monitor skin conditions, such as hydration, elasticity, and microbial balance, alerting astronauts and mission control to early signs of dermatological disorders.
A conceptual AI-augmented care pathway in space might include real-time skin image capture, automated classification and severity assessment, personalized treatment recommendations, and continuous feedback through wearable biosensors (Fig. 1). Such an integrated loop would enhance autonomy and reduce medical risk during long-duration missions.
Personalized medicine, powered by AI, could further enhance skin health in space. By analyzing individual astronaut data such as genetic predispositions, skin microbiome composition, and environmental exposure, AI can optimize skincare regimens and preventive measures customized to each astronaut’s specific needs. This approach could decrease the effects of prolonged space travel on skin aging and skin disorders, ensuring that astronauts maintain optimal skin health.
AI-driven research in space dermatology also holds translational potential for Earth. Insights into wound healing under microgravity could improve chronic wound care in immobile or aging populations. Studying rapid skin aging in space may inform preventive dermatology and antiaging therapies. Furthermore, the development of robust AI-assisted diagnostic platforms and wearable biosensors can expand teledermatology access in terrestrial remote or underserved communities.
Despite its potential benefits, implementing AI in space dermatology comes with challenges. The reliability of AI models in space must be tested against variations in lighting, imaging conditions, and physiological changes due to microgravity. Additionally, data transmission delays between spacecraft and Earth require AI models capable of real-time, autonomous decision-making without constant support from mission control. Ethical considerations, including the reliability and accountability of AI-driven diagnoses in high-stakes environments, also need to be addressed [5].
In conclusion, AI has the potential to expand dermatological health management in space by enabling autonomous diagnostics, personalized treatments, and continuous monitoring. As humanity prepares for deep-space missions, incorporating AI into space medicine protocols will be crucial for ensuring astronauts’ skin health, with wider implications for dermatology on Earth. Future research should focus on developing AI systems that are adaptable, explainable, and resilient in the challenging conditions of space.
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest to disclose.
Funding Sources
No financial support was received for this study.
Author Contributions
M.G. conceptualized the study and drafted the manuscript. D.H. reviewed and edited the manuscript. All authors approved the final version. We confirm that the manuscript has been read and approved by all the authors, that the requirements for authorship as stated earlier in this document have been met and that each author believes that the manuscript represents honest work.
