Dry Skin - Problems and Solutions

Dry skin (Ñ…erosis cutis) is a common problem a`ecting people art di`erent age and of di`erent skin types. he reasons for dry skin can be natural (physiological), pathological, or related to the inquence of unfavourable environmental factors. he purpose of the paper is to elaborate an algorithm for diagnosis and management of patients with dry skin of various etiology. A retrospective search in the following data-bases was carried out: MEDLINE (PubMed) of the National Library of Medicine (USA), Consilium-Medicum (Russia) and Russkij meditsinskij zhurnal (Russia). When the diagnosis of dry skin is made, usually, one takes into consideration the disturbance of the hydratation of the corneal layer (10%) only. his parameter can be considered as a screening tool only and should not be the only criterion for choice of therapy. he pathophysiological changes are assocaited with disturbace of the epidermal barrier, incerase of the transepidermal water loss and pH alterations of stratum corneum. he basic diagnostic criteria are the following: transepidermal water loss and fatty secretion level (i.e., normal, low or high). hese parameters should be born in mind in the selection of treatment and can be assessed through the application of rapid real-time invivo methods such as TEWL-metry and sebumetry. he recent research achievements demonstrate that natural moisturizing factor, ceramides and aquaporins are the key factors for skin hydratation. he chouice of therapy in patienst with dry skin is a great challenge. It is strictly individualized. Treatment errors could lead to patient`s status worsening

IN MEMORIAM: PROF. ALLAN T. WILLIAMS, a great scientist and friend!

Prof. Allan T. Williams was Emeritus Professor at Swansea Metropolitan University, Swansea, Wales, UK. He passed away on 17 November 20221 págin

New low molecular collagen - a number one treatment in wrinkle care and anti-aging processes

Многобройни изследвания показват по неоспорим начин, че съществува непосредствена връзка между съдържанието на разтворим колаген в човешката кожа и стареенето й. Колагенът е биополимер, който изгражда 75% от влакнестата съединителна тъкан в кожата. Заедно с процесите на стареене на кожата намалява и нейната метаболитна активност, което води до редица физиологични нарушения. Този белтък може да бъде внесен успешно в организма, но проблемът при неговото локално приложение идва от това, че има високо молекулно тегло 300 000 мD и това препятства преминаването му през кожните бариерни структури. Този нов нискомолекулярен колаген успешно се прилага и действа на клетъчно ниво, като стимулира образуването на собствен колаген в кожата. Трайната употреба на продукти за домашна и професионална грижа с този нискомолекулярен колаген (TH 80) води до намаляване на загубата на този белтък с възрастта и е гаранция за здрава кожа. Доказани резултати след употреба на продуктите, съдържащи тази нова структура, са: тонизиращо, придава блясък, подобрява еластичността, хидратацията и клетъчната регенерация на кожата. Притежава успокояващо и балансиращо действие и забавя процеса на стареене.Numerous studies over the years have shown in an irrefutable way that there is a direct connection between the content of soluble collagen in human skin and its aging. Collagen is a biopolymer that forms 75% of the fibrous connective tissue in the skin. Along with aging of the dermis, the metabolic activity also decreases. This leads to numerous physiological disorders. This protein can be successfully brought in the human body, but the problem of its local use is that the molecular level is very high - over 300 000 мD, which precludes its absorption at cellular level and its transition through the skin barrier structures.This new low-molecular collagen can be successfully applied on skin - on a cellular level. It stimulates the formation of the skin`s own collagen. Long-term use of products for home and professional care with this low molecular weight collagen (TH80) reduces the loss of the protein with time and it is also a guarantee of healthy, elastic and radiant skin.Proven results after the use of these products are: toned, shine, elastic and hydrated skin. They also improve cell regeneration, soothe and balance skin with acne and sensitivity, remove fine wrinkles, smooth deep wrinkles, improve the cell membrane elasticity and slow the aging process of the skin

Dynamic hyaluronic acid - an innovative formula for rejuvenation

Хиалуроновата киселина е естествен компонент в тъканите на човешкия организъм и играе важна роля за възстановяването на кожата. В процеса на стареене количеството на хиалуроновата киселина намалява и между 40-50-годишна възраст се губи около 50% от нея. Патентованата формула RHA (еластична хиалуронова киселина) води до значително подобряване на еластичността на кожата, дълготрайна хидратация и биоревитализация.Hyaluronic acid is a natural component in the tissues of the human body and it plays an important role in the recovery of the skin. In the aging process, the amount of hyaluronic acid decreases and between 40 and 50 years of age, about 50% of it is lost. The patented formula RHA (elastic hyaluronic acid) results in a significant improvement of skin elasticity, long-lasting hydration and biorevitalization

Beauty today – natural or acquired

Since antiquity beauty has been one of the main aims of mankind. We have a great variety of options for reaching it, some of them completely harmless and others a bit more radical. Provoked by the outburst of role models we decided to check whether they actually have any influence. The goal of our research is to determine the public attitudes about aesthetic procedures. The subjects of our online survey are 244 women between 15 and 65 years of age, from all over Bulgaria. According to a significant part (65.16%) a “pretty woman” is the one who takes care of her natural look and no one appears to include plastic surgery in this definition. More than the half of them (52.87%) would not change anything and more than one quarter (26.64%) consider there is a huge marketing manipulation about the eventual consequences. Mostly young ladies are willing to go for aesthetic manipulations and a small but an important part of them (4.26%) admit they aim to attract the attention of others. Whether this propaganda has any impact on the society, the possible presence of any vulnerable groups and whether we have enough information about all the procedures on the market are among the questions we will try to answer with our research

Needle mesotherapy

Микронидлингът, известен още като терапия за стимулация на колагеновия синтез, е уникален иновативен метод, насочен към решаването на различни естетични проблеми и профилактика на възрастови изменения на кожата. Този метод представлява система, използваща техниката на микроперфорация. Образуваните микроканали позволяват по-лесно проникване на активните вещества в дермата на кожата. Благодарение на това се стимулира синтезът на колаген и еластин с минимално увреждане на епидермиса. В настоящия материал се разглеждат спектърът на терапевтичните индикации, основни принципи, механизъм на действие и странични ефекти на този съвременен метод.Microneedling, also known as a therapy used to stimulate the synthesis of collagen, is a unique innovative method oriented to solving different aesthetic problems as well as staving off the signs of aging. In fact, this method is a whole system, which uses microneedling techniques. The tiny punctures act like little channels and they allow the active substance to penetrate the dermis of the skin. Due to it synthesis of collagen and elastin is stimulated and minimal damage to the epidermis is caused. The present project considers the spectrum of therapeutic indications, basic principles and the mechanism of its work and the side effects it may produce

Tattoo - art or fashion

Nowadays, the interest in tattooing has grown enormously. The sizes of the tattoos vary from very tiny to fully covered bodies. New eyelid tattooing techniques have emerged that mimic makeup. The purpose of the report is to show what tattooing represents and what people think about it. We made a poll, the purpose of which was to know the attitude of the people about tattoos. The poll covered 160 people aged between 19 and 50+ of whom 119 women (74.2%) and 41 men (25.8%). The majority of respondents were young people, and for this reason we have established a positive attitude towards tattoos. They defined them as art and would have themselves tattooed. As a motive, they pointed to an expression of their individuality, but they would still do it in a place that is not visible. According to the data for the majority of respondents, the fact that a person has tattoos would not affect the attitude towards him or her. From the answers of the respondents for the most part, we came to the conclusion that they would have tattoos due to different motives – self-expression, fashion, image and religious or emotional motives

Coconut Oil

Въведение: Кокосовото масло представлява дериват на кокосовата палма, получен от вътрешната месеста част на кокосовия орех, която се нарича копра. Процесът на получаване на маслото включва настъргване и изсушаване на кокосовото месо, внимателното му пресоване при ниска температура и филтрация. Този механизъм за добиване е необходим, за да бъдат запазени структурно и функционално основните му полезни съставки. Употребата на кокосовото масло е позната на човечеството от близо 4000 години.Цел: Да се анализира достъпната литература, реферирана в базите-данни MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus и Web of Science през последните 10 г.Материал и методи: Проучени са съдържанията на резюметата и пълнотекстовите публикации по проблема кокосово масло и ефекти върху кожата.Резултати: Кокосовото масло е ценен източник на хранителни вещества и натурални съставки за изготвяне на козметични и дерматологични формулировки. Поради своя състав, кокосовото масло има противовъзпалителни, антипиретични, аналгетични, антимикробни, антиоксидативни, хепатопротективни, имуномодулиращи свойства, инсулинотропен ефект, спомага за редуциране на телесното тегло, запазване бариерната функция на кожата, редуциране загубата на вода, поддържане на кожната хидратация, омекотяване, противостареене, регулиране нивата на холестерола, подпомагане невротрансмисията, забавяне еволюцията на болестта на Алцхаймер.Изводи: Кокосовото масло е натурална суровина с ценен състав, намираща приложение в козметичната, фармацевтичната и хранителна индустрия. Активните съставки са полифеноли, токофероли, средноверижни мастни киселини, които обуславят широкия диапазон от приложения. Кокосовото масло е с позитивно въздействие само ако в процеса на получаване не е използвана термична или химична обработка, при която се разрушават ценните му съставки. Кокосовото масло може да се прилага локално и системно. Влиза в състава на много козметични средства, лекарствени продукти, хранителни добавки.Introduction: Coconut oil is a derivative product of the coconut palm tree, obtained from the inner, edible part of the coconut, called copra. The process of obtaining coconut oil includes shredding and drying of the coconut meat, then processing under low temperature and filtration. This way all its beneficial ingredients are preserved. The use of coconut oil by people has been known for more than 4000 years.Aim: The aim of this paper is to evaluate the literature in the last 10 years in MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus and Web of Science – referred literature data bases.Materials and Methods: Abstracts and full text publications on the topic were reviewed.Results: Coconut oil is a precious source of nutritional substances and natural ingredients for preparing cosmetic products and dermatological formulations. Coconut oil has anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective and immunomodulating action. It also has an insulin-like effect, it helps in weight loss, restores the skin barrier, prevents water loss, maintains the skin hydration, controls the level of cholesterol, amplifies the neurotransmission, prevents progression of Alzheimer’s disease. In dermatology, coconut oil is used as an emollient and antiaging product.            Conclusion: Coconut oil is widely used in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical and nutritional industries. The active ingredients of coconut oil that define its broad specter of activity are polyphenols, tocopherols and mid-chain fatty acids. The effectiveness of coconut oil depends on its beneficial ingredients, which are not being processed by chemical or thermal processing. Coconut oil can be applied locally and systemically. Many cosmetic products, drugs and nutritional supplements contain coconut oil as an active ingredient

Tattoo Removal Methods

Въведение: Татуирането представлява древен способ за личностно изразяване, отразяващо религиозна, културна, социална и морална принадлежност. Този феномен датира от преди около 5200 години и е значимо внедрен в корените на човешката еволюция.Цел: Да се анализира достъпната литература, реферирана в базите данни MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus и Web of Science през последните 10 години.Материали и методи: Проучени са съдържанията на резюметата и пълнотекстовите публикации по проблема. Резултати: Основните методи за детатуаж биват: механични, химични, термични, хирургични, смесени методи. Златен стандарт за детатуаж са лазерите с различна модалност на действие.Изводи: Премахването на татуировки се осъществява чрез механични, химични, термични, хирургични и смесени методи. Лазерните технологии дават най-добри клинични резултати по отношение степента на премахване на пигмента и вероятността от възникване на странични ефекти. Различните пигменти за татуаж изискват различна модалност на действие на лазерите. Клиничният резултат от премахването на татуировки е индивидуален и зависи от формата и големината на татуировката, давността, механизма на направа, използвания цвят и плътност на пигмента, имунитета на пациента.Introduction: The art of tattooing is an ancient way of a personal expression. It reflects religious, cultural, social and moral belonging. This phenomenon has been known to humankind for more than 5200 years and it has been profoundly implemented in human evolution.Aim: The aim of this paper is to evaluate the literature in the last 10 years in MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus and Web of Science – referred literature databases.Materials and Methods: Abstracts and full text publications on the topic were reviewed.Results: The principal methods of tattoo removal are: mechanical, chemical, thermal, surgical and mixed methods. Lasers are the golden standard for tattoo removal.Conclusion: Tattoo removal can be achieved through mechanical, chemical, thermal, surgical and mixed methods. It is established that the laser technology is the most effective method in tattoo removal in regard to both the level of pigment elimination and the percentage of adverse effect manifestations. Different pigments require different modes of laser action. The effectiveness of tattoo removal is strongly individual and depends on the shape and size of the tattoo, duration, method of tattooing, the color and density of the pigment and the host immunity

Cell-Autonomous Alterations in Dendritic Arbor Morphology and Connectivity Induced by Overexpression of MeCP2 in Xenopus Central Neurons In Vivo

Methyl CpG binding protein-2 (MeCP2) is an essential epigenetic regulator in human brain development. Mutations in the MeCP2 gene have been linked to Rett syndrome, a severe X-linked progressive neurodevelopmental disorder, and one of the most common causes of mental retardation in females. MeCP2 duplication and triplication have also been found to affect brain development, indicating that both loss of function and gain in MeCP2 dosage lead to similar neurological phenotypes. Here, we used the Xenopus laevis visual system as an in vivo model to examine the consequence of increased MeCP2 expression during the morphological maturation of individual central neurons in an otherwise intact brain. Single-cell overexpression of wild-type human MeCP2 was combined with time-lapse confocal microscopy imaging to study dynamic mechanisms by which MeCP2 influences tectal neuron dendritic arborization. Analysis of neurons co-expressing DsRed2 demonstrates that MeCP2 overexpression specifically interfered with dendritic elaboration, decreasing the rates of branch addition and elimination over a 48 hour observation period. Moreover, dynamic analysis of neurons co-expressing wt-hMeCP2 and PSD95-GFP revealed that even though neurons expressing wt-hMeCP2 possessed significantly fewer dendrites and simpler morphologies than control neurons at the same developmental stage, postsynaptic site density in wt-hMeCP2-expressing neurons was similar to controls and increased at a rate higher than controls. Together, our in vivo studies support an early, cell-autonomous role for MeCP2 during the morphological differentiation of neurons and indicate that perturbations in MeCP2 gene dosage result in deficits in dendritic arborization that can be compensated, at least in part, by synaptic connectivity changes