Using steroid-induced skin atrophy as a model, we identified and validated REDD1 and FKBP51 as genes central for atrophy in skin and discovered that many PI3K/Akt/mTOR inhibitors can strongly down-regulate the expression of these atrophogenes in skin, lymphoma cells, and in osteocytes. This evidence concerns the gene DDIT4 and skin atrophy.