Research

Research Summary One of the main functions of cutaneous tissues is to protect our body from outdoor insults. Ozone (O3) is among the most toxic stressors to which we are continuously exposed, and due to its critical location, the skin is one of the most susceptible tissues to the oxidative damaging effects of O3. While O3 is not able to penetrate the skin, and is not a radical per se, the damage is mainly a result of its ability to induce oxidative stress via the formation of lipid peroxidation products.Aim of StudyIn this study, we investigated the protective effect of...

Research Summary Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is a water-soluble vitamin and a recognized antioxidant drug used topically in dermatology to treat and prevent changes associated with photoaging, as well as for the treatment of hyperpigmentation. Ascorbic acid neutralizes free radicals by interacting with superoxide, hydroxyl, and free oxygen ions, preventing inflammatory processes, carcinogenesis, and other processes that accelerate skin photoaging.Current research focuses on finding stable compounds of ascorbic acid and exploring new alternatives for its administration in the dermis. Unlike plants and most animals, humans lack the ability to synthesize ascorbic acid due to the absence of the enzyme L-gulono-gamma-lactone...

Research Summary Vitamin A is a fat-soluble micronutrient necessary for the growth of healthy skin and hair. However, both too little and too much vitamin A can have deleterious effects. Retinoic acid and retinal are the main active metabolites of vitamin A. Retinoic acid regulates hair follicle stem cells in a dose-dependent manner, influencing the hair cycle, wound healing, and melanocyte stem cells.Additionally, retinoic acid affects melanocyte differentiation and proliferation in a temporal and dose-dependent way. The levels of retinoids decrease when the skin is exposed to ultraviolet irradiation. Retinal is required for the phototransduction cascade that initiates melanogenesis, but...

Research Summary Skin disorders are often treated with creams containing various active substances. These creams also contain emulsifiers, which are surface-active ingredients used to stabilize the emulsion. Emulsifiers are potential irritants, and in the present study, the influence of stearic acid, glyceryl stearate, PEG-2, -9, -40, and -100 stearate, steareth-2, -10, and -21 on normal as well as irritated skin has been evaluated using non-invasive measurements.Test emulsions were created by incorporating 5% emulsifiers in a water/mineral oil mixture (50:50). The emulsions and their vehicle were then applied to normal skin for 48 hours and to sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)-damaged skin...