Methods for preventing, ameliorating, or reducing dermatological signs of aging are provided which employ active agents, other than a retinoid, that stimulate thymosin beta-4 expression in the skin. Also provided are methods for screening for substances which stimulate thymosin beta-4 expression levels and the methods of using active agents identified by the screening protocol in the treatment of skin.本發明提供用於預防、改善或減少皮膚老化跡象之方法,該方法使用類視色素以外可刺激皮膚之胸腺素β-4表現之活性劑。本發明亦提供篩選刺激胸腺素β-4表現程度之物質的方法,及使用該篩選方案所鑑別之活性劑用於皮膚治療之方法。