Gold for Facial Skin Care: Fact or Fiction?

Abstract

To the Editor, It is believed that anti-aging preparations or cosmeceuticals, as less-invasive, nonsurgical alternatives, can retard the aging effect of the skin [1]. Table 1 presents some common ingredients in cosmeceuticals. However, the therapeutic benefits of most products remain unsubstantiated [1]. A recent randomized controlled trial showed that a high-priced luxurious antiwrinkle cream (Chanel Ultra Correction Restructuring Anti-Wrinkle Cream SPF 10; Chanel, Paris, France) was no more effective than a regular, cheap moisturizer (ACO Facial Cream; ACO Hud AB, Apteekkituotteet, Finland) [2]. Other options to promote eternal youth are massage with streaming and the use of facial masks. These are popular in spas and salons. Facial massage with an exfoliant may provide immediate superficial debridement, increased blood flow, warmth, substance P release, and an anxiolytic effect [3]. However, no long-term effect has been found, and erythema, edema, dermatitis, and acneiform eruptions may occur after the treatment [3]. Recently, gold for facial skin care has received an interest worldwide and is applied in many cosmetic centers, spas, and salons. It is used in two forms: as an ingredient of topical skin care (mask or cream) and as gold foil or gold leaf for direct application to skin (combined with massage therapy and use of cosmeceuticals with or without streaming). In 2010, an in vitro study showed that gold nanoparticles in an antiwrinkle face mask maximize contact of the active ingredients (L-ascorbic acid, retinoic acid, and collagen) with the skin, enhancing their skin permeation [4]. In animal models, gold facial masks improve blood circulation and cutaneous elasticity, rejuvenate the skin, and reduce wrinkle formation [4]. It is frequently said that Queen Cleopatra of the Nile slept with a pure gold mask every night, and this may have been the secret of her beauty (http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/future-detox-gold-mask-saltcaves/story?id=9726168p http://www.ub.uni-leipzig.de/), and the Thai-Journal Citation Index Centre (http://www.kmutt. ac.th/jif/public_html/), as well as the online databases of 48 P. Pitak-Arnnop A. Hemprich K. Dhanuthai N. C. Pausch Department of Oral, Craniomaxillofacial, and Facial Plastic Surgery, Scientific Unit for Clinical and Psychosocial Research, Evidence-Based Surgery, and Ethics in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany