Acetyl hexapeptide-3 in a cosmetic formulation acts on skin mechanical properties - clinical study

abstract Acetyl hexapeptide-3 has been used in anti-aging topical formulations aimed at improving skin appearance. However, few basic studies address its effects on epidermis and dermis, when vehiculated in topical formulations. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the clinical efficacy of acetyl hexapeptide-3 using biophysical techniques. For this purpose, formulations with and without acetyl hexapeptide-3 were applied to the ventral forearm and the face area of forty female volunteers. Skin conditions were evaluated after 2 and 4-week long daily applications, by analyzing the stratum corneum water content and the skin mechanical properties, using three instruments, the Corneometer(r) CM 825, CutometerSEM 575 and ReviscometerRV600. All formulations tested increased the stratum corneum water content in the face region, which remained constant until the end of the study. In contrast, only formulations containing acetyl hexapeptide-3 exhibit a significant effect on mechanical properties, by decreasing the anisotropy of the face skin. No significant effects were observed in viscoelasticity parameters. In conclusion, the effects of acetyl hexapeptide-3 on the anisotropy of face skin characterize the compound as an effective ingredient for improving conditions of the cutaneous tissue, when used in anti-aging cosmetic formulations

How I treat ...scalp psoriasis.

peer reviewedScalp involvement by psoriasis requires a ted treatment suited to the particularities of the anatomical site In course of time, the improvement of therapeutic agents and the galenic refinement have enhanced both the efficacy and cosmetic acceptability of the scalp care. The main therapeutic classes encompass keratolytics, dermocorticosteroids and vitamine D3 analogues. The patient compliance is reported to be best for the liquid or foam formulations

Helioderma, heliophiles and heliophobes.

peer reviewedThe cumulative effect of lifelong sun exposures induces skin alterations which are coined helioderma. The manifestations of helioderma vary according to the body site. This is particularly the case for the prominent differences in the expression of solar elastosis. This condition is commonly more severe on the face and nape of the neck than on the forearms and back of the hands. The age, phototype and behaviour regarding sun exposure are cofactors responsible for the severity of solar elastosis

Prevention of skin cancers with sunscreening agents.

peer reviewedHow do sunscreens protect against skin cancers? The answer to this question is a matter of controversy among scientist for several years. The doubt persists because the wise use of such products is only one of the factors involved in sun behavior together with avoiding excessive sunlight exposure and wearing protective clothes

Tanning benches to accusation benches.

peer reviewedSunbeds used in sun parlours do not garantee a controlled innocuity. By contrast, health hazards are obvious in many instances. Forceful tanning is a transitory aspect behind which the spectrum of many skin changes includes accelerated photoageing, irreversible pigmentary and keratotic changes, and cutaneous malignancies including malignant melanoma. In the absence of protection, the eye is also affected. Even if tanning salon exposure increases the risk for skin cancer by a small amount, it represents a significant potential public health hazard given the number of people attending salons. Digital dermoscopy and ultraviolet light videoscopy are new methods allowing to predict the cutaneous ransom to be paid by the sunbed worshippers

Dying for a tan versus osteomalacia. The solar protection dilemma between charybdis and scylla.

peer reviewedSun is at the origin of life. It can also be responsible for death. In the past decades cutaneous melanoma killed more and more young adults. Currently, the disease still progresses in the population, but survival increases hopefully. Sun is pointed out as the main culprit. Hence, protection against harmful effects of ultraviolets is mandatory. However, preventive measures to be taken generate heated scientific argument. Sunlight exposure particularly in moderation is indeed necessary for health through vitamin D3 synthesis and psychological effects on wellbeing. Vitamin D3 provides numerous biological effects, particularly on bone calcification and also by inhibiting proliferation and migration of malignant cells including melanoma cells. Hence, we are facing the dilemma between too much and too little ultraviolet light exposure. Anyway, one cannot advocate that people lie in the sun until they burn or until they turn a rich brown complexion

Factor XIII a-positive dermal dendrocytes and shear wave propagation in human skin.

BACKGROUND: The in vivo interdependence between the phenotypic characteristics of dermal cells and the strain imposed on the tissue has not been studied thoroughly in humans. In particular the mechanical force modulation of Factor XIII a expression in dermal dendrocytes (DD) remains unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study compares the numerical density of Factor XIII a-positive DD and the in vivo shear wave velocity in the skin. The investigation was performed in 20 men of normal weight and 20 obese men before and after entering a slimming process. RESULTS: Excess cutaneous fat places the skin under increased intrinsic tension. The resonance running time measurement (RRTM) and the DD density were significantly reduced in overweight individuals. After a short-term but intense slimming process, the same individuals showed a trend to normalization of these two parameters without, however, reaching significance. Pooling all data yielded a significant logarithmic correlation between RRTM values and densities in Factor XIII a-positive DD. CONCLUSION: Factor XIII a expression in human DD may be partially regulated by the intrinsic resting tensions in the skin

Androgenic alopecia and stress-induced premature senescence by cumulative ultraviolet light exposure.

Background : Ultraviolet light radiations (UVR) may be responsible for hair cycle synchronization and telogen effluvium in the animal and humans. The effect if any of cumulative UVR on chronic hair shedding and androgenic alopecia (AGA) is largely unknown. Objective : To compare the severity of AGA with the extent in solar elastosis. Method : The present study combining immunohistochemistry and computerized image analysis was undertaken in 140 men with AGA and 50 non-alopecic men. Solar elastosis was identified using the antibody to lyzozyme, and collagen was revealed by sirius red staining. The number and diameter of hair shafts were also assessed. Results : The scalp dermis was significantly thicker in AGA than in unaffected subjects. The difference was mainly due to a more severe elastosis in baldness. The earliest signs of solar elastosis preceded hair thinning. When elastosis was thicker than 0.2 mm, a negative exponential correlation was found between hair diameter and severity in solar elastosis. Conclusion : Chronic UVR exposure of the scalp may affect the hair cycle and be one exogenous factors influencing negatively the progression of AGA. The induction of stress-induced premature senescence (SIPS) through reactive oxygen species and microinflammation might be operative at the level of the follicular stem cells

DHEA and rejuvenating intracrinology? Between reason and magic.

peer reviewedSlowing down ageing is a goal for a large part of the population. Some mercantile claims hold out bright prospects to DHEA. The effects of this hormone manifest themselves after intracrine conversion. In the skin, sebaceous glands enlarge and seborrhoea increases in post-menopausal women. No other effect is clinically discernable on the skin. At this level, DHEA does not show efficacy comparable to that of other anti-ageing compounds