Skin Elastosis Research Articles

The effect of snail secretion filtrate on photoaged skin

Skin is the organ in permanent contact with environmental factors which could accelerate the aging process. The changes occurring due to the aging process are particularly noticeable in the skin. Skin ageing is dependent on endogenous and exogenous factors determined by environmental factors, primarily the ultraviolet radiation (photoaging).The Authors reviewed the articles available at PubMed, ResearchGate and GoogleScholar on the composition and application of preparations containing snail mucus. The results of the literature analysis revealed that snail mucus contains substances such as allantoin, glycolic acid, lactic acid, collagen, elastin, extracellular matrix metalloproteinases as well as their inhibitors, and antioxidant enzymes. Also, it was demonstrated that the use of preparations containing snail mucus had beneficial effects on the condition of the skin, including improved skin hydration, normalisation of the thickness of the epidermis, improved skin structure, increased cell proliferation index, reduction of skin elastosis and decreased hyperpigmentation. Moreover, the regenerative mechanism of action of snail mucus resulted in a clinical alleviation of lesions in patients with dermatological problems of various aetiology. Therefore, it appears that snail mucus could be a good biostimulator and its use has many beneficial effects for the skin.

Clinical purpura and elastosis and their correlation with skin tears in an aged population.

The previous research reported the results of a prospect cohort study that used logistic regression analysis to construct a risk prediction model for skin tears in individuals aged over 65 years. The model identified three baseline individual characteristics (male gender, history of STs, and history of falls) and two baseline skin manifestations (purpura and elastosis) that predicted the risk of dorsal forearm skin tears. This paper outlines the relationships between baseline skin manifestations and the risk of skin tears. Univariable logistic regression analysis was conducted of all the baseline data collected from the same-study participants to identify variables that significantly predicted purpura and elastosis at baseline. Amongst the 173 participants, 71 (41%) developed one or more skin tears, and in these participants, 52 (73.2%) displayed purpura, 41 (57.8%) had elastosis, and 30 (42.3%) exhibited both manifestations of the dorsal forearm at baseline. Four individual characteristics (age, history of skin tears, history of falls, and antiplatelet therapy) and three skin properties (pH, subepidermal low echogenicity band of the forearms, and skin thickness) were found to predict the risk of purpura. Conversely, three individual variables (age, gender, and smoking), three clinical skin variables (uneven skin pigmentation, cutis rhomboidalis nuchae, and history of actinic keratosis) and one skin property variable (collagen type IV) predicted the risk of skin elastosis. Progressive changes to the skin's structural and mechanical properties from the underlying effects of chronological ageing, and environmental and lifestyle-related influences increased the risk of purpura and elastotic skin manifestations and concomitantly increased risk of skin tears amongst participants.

Anti-Aging Efficacy of Melatonin-Based Cream: Clinical and Instrumental Skin Evaluation

Melatonin is a potent mitochondrial, cytoprotective and antioxidant molecule with potentially strong anti-aging properties. Topical melatonin has been shown to improve the clinical signs of skin aging. Melatosphere™ is a new lipid-based delivery system able to improve stability and skin penetration of melatonin when used in topical formulations. No clinical studies, using objective instrumental data, are available so far regarding the positive effect of Melatosphere™ in improving wrinkles in women with mild to moderate skin aging. In an open prospective, evaluator-blinded trial, we evaluate the effects on skin texture of two months of treatment with a Melatosphere™-based cream. Fifteen women aged >45 years with mild to moderate facial skin aging (Glogau score 2–4) participated in the trial, after providing their informed consent. An ANTERA 3D computer-assisted skin analysis evaluation for the assessment of coarse and fine wrinkles of the periorbital area and melanin content was performed at baseline and after two months of treatment. An evaluator-blinded Investigator Global Assessment (IGA) of skin elastosis, roughness, level of dyschromia, skin dryness and the presence of actinic damage was also performed at the same time points using a four-grade score from 0 (no sign) to 3 (severe sign). At baseline, the mean (SD) IGA score was 8.2 (1.0). After two months, the IGA score significantly decreased to 4.2 (1.4) (49% reduction) (p = 0.0007). ANTERA 3D evaluations showed a significant reduction in the coarse and fine wrinkle volume in the target area of −31% and −18%, respectively. Melanin content was reduced significantly by −17%. Topical melatonin carried in Melatosphere™ improves, in the short term, signs of skin aging evaluated clinically and using the ANTERA 3D device in women with mild to moderate skin aging.

Resurfacing with Ablation of Periorbital Skin Technique: Indications, Efficacy, Safety, and 3D Assessment from a Pilot Study.

Objectives and background: Nowadays, several approaches for skin rejuvenation of the lower eyelid are available. We present a new technique of resurfacing with ablation of periorbital skin (RAP) performed in a single session. Methods: This is a retrospective study involving 20 patients showing skin elastosis with or without evidence of the nasojugal fold and atrophic and dyschromic skin or needing a combined approach of transconjuntival lower blepharoplasty for fat bag removal. RAP technique is assessed in terms of efficacy, safety, and 3D evaluation of results at 6 months' follow-up.Results: Global Assessment Improvement Scale results highlighted an improvement in all cases, for both physicians (blinded to treatment) and individual subjects. Only minor adverse events (edema, erythema, and discoloration) were reported in almost all patients, lasting 2–3 weeks after treatment, and were resolved without intervention. A 3D imaging tool revealed the reduction of medium protrusions and depressions and an improved texture at 2 months. Skin recovery was inversely correlated with hemoglobin reduction.Conclusions: RAP seems to offer expert dermatologists a safe and clinically effective technique for skin rejuvenation of lower eyelids, without significant adverse events. Further studies will be performed to confirm our results.

On the roles of solar UV irradiance and smoking on the diagnosis of second cancers after diagnosis of melanoma

Several recent papers have reported standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) for second cancers after diagnosis of cutaneous malignant melanoma. This review divides the types of cancer into five types: (1) those for which UV-B (UVB) irradiance and vitamin D reduces risk; (2) those for which UVB/vitamin D reduces risk and smoking increases risk; (3) smoking related; (4) unknown UVB/vitamin D and smoking sensitivity and (5) those for which UV irradiance increases risk. For those in category 1, SIRs were either significantly elevated or not significantly different from 1.0. For those in category 2, the SIR for kidney cancer was significantly elevated, whereas the SIRs for cervical, laryngeal and rectal cancer were significantly reduced. For those in category 3, all SIRs were significantly reduced. For those in categories 4 and 5, SIRs for all types except lip cancer were significantly elevated. A registry linkage study found significantly reduced SIRs for second cancers after diagnosis of nonmelanoma skin cancer in sunny countries but found increased SIRs in less sunny countries. The SIRs for second cancer for melanoma were elevated in both sunny and less sunny countries. This review concludes that sun exposure without sufficient vitamin D production may explain the elevated SIRs for vitamin D-sensitive cancers, whereas smoking—through production of skin elastosis, thereby reducing the risk of melanoma—probably explains the findings for smoking-related cancers. Thus, guidelines on UV irradiance should emphasize regular moderate UVB irradiance rather than avoidance for those who can tan.

Mutations in KIT occur at low frequency in melanomas arising from anatomical sites associated with chronic and intermittent sun exposure

In melanoma, mutations in KIT are most frequent in acral and mucosal subtypes and rarely reported in cutaneous melanomas particularly those associated with intermittent UV exposure. Conversely melanomas arising within chronic sun damaged skin are considered to harbour KIT mutations at higher rates. To characterize the frequency of KIT mutations in a representative melanoma population, 261 patients from two Australian melanoma centres were prospectively screened for mutations in exons 11, 13 and 17 of the KIT gene. A total of 257 patients had cutaneous melanoma arising from non-acral sites and four were acral melanomas. No mucosal or ocular melanomas were analysed. KIT mutations were identified in five tumours (2% of the entire cohort) including two acral melanomas. Two of the three non-acral melanomas with KIT mutations were associated with markers of chronic sun damage as assessed by the degree of skin elastosis. In the remaining cohort, 43% had chronically sun damaged skin. This report confirms that within an Australian population, KIT mutations are infrequent in cutaneous melanomas associated with both intermittent and chronic sun exposed skin.

A bioactive complex to protect proteins from UV‐induced oxidation in human epidermis1

UV light induces multiple damages including protein oxidation on skin. Oxidized proteins if not degraded by the proteasome would eventually accumulate causing metabolic damage, elastosis and pigment formation such as lipofuscin. During ageing, the activity of the proteasome decreases dramatically together with enzymes that protect from oxidation and as a result oxidized proteins accumulate. We have investigated a combination of Panthenyl triacetate and Ethyl linoleate (bioactive complex) to fight against protein oxidation. This complex when tested at 3% on human skin biopsies showed statistically significant protection from UV (UVA + UVB)-induced protein oxidation both in a 24-h pre-treatment before UV irradiation (72% protection, P < 0.05) and immediately after irradiation (78% protection, P < 0.05). UV light also induced a significant decrease of mRNA for protein repairing enzymes, such as Methionine Sulfoxide Reductase (MSR). The complex, given both pre- and post-irradiation, stimulated the repairing enzyme expression. We can suggest utilization of this new complex to prevent accumulation of oxidized protein as a result of skin photo-ageing and to prevent stratum corneum dehydration, skin elastosis and pigmentation formation (age spots).

Skin biophysical properties of a population living in Valais, Switzerland.

Switzerland has one of the highest rates of skin diseases and particularly skin cancer, in Europe. Skin elastosis, roughness and atopy are also frequent. High UV exposure and prevalence of light skin individuals could be the cause. Valais, in Southern Switzerland, is a mountain region with elevated sun irradiation and low air humidity, an ideal location to study the effect of the environment and life style on skin biophysical characteristics. The purpose of the study was to measure skin biophysical parameters non-invasively on healthy subjects living in Valais, and to correlate the measures with their life style. One hundred and ten women were examined between October 2001 and February 2002. Measures of skin hydration, sebum content, pH and visco-elasticity were taken in a closed environment with constant temperature and controlled air humidity, utilizing commercially available non-invasive devices. Subjects were interviewed using a questionnaire and data on personal traits and life style were collected. Correlations between subject's skin parameters and life style were statistically examined. On average we observed low values of skin capacitance that identify subjects with dry skin. Measures of skin visco-elasticity ratios were also particularly low, while skin pH and sebum content were in the normal range. Age was correlated with a decrease of skin elasticity and sebum content, but there was no correlation with hydration or pH. We confirm, as reported in other studies, the effect of age on skin elasticity and sebum content and we identify, for the first time, a region with a population characterized by particularly low levels of skin hydration and skin visco-elasticity. Although people examined were free of skin diseases, we believe that protection from the sun and treatment of skin with hydrating products need to be emphasized as a prevention strategy, in regions such as Valais, with high sun irradiation and low humidity.

Laser treatment of solar elastosis with epithelial preservation.

Laser resurfacing has gained wide acceptance for the treatment of actinic facial skin. However, postoperative care of the face is reasonably complicated and prolonged erythema is common. To simplify the postoperative care and to possibly reduce the duration of the erythema, we investigated a laser treatment that spares the epithelium. A 980 nm diode laser was used with a spherical optic handpiece to focus the light in the dermis. We treated in vitro breast and facial skin and measured the tissue shrinkage and the histological changes. We also treated two patients and harvested the tissue after 6 and 21 days of wound healing. The diode laser treatment does not ablate the epidermis. The tissue shows shrinkage (16% at 8W) similar to three passes of the scanned carbon dioxide laser treatment (15%). Thermal damage in the dermis is similar to the residual damage left after laser resurfacing with the scanned carbon dioxide laser. After 21 days the tissue shows new collagen and an abundance of young elastin fibers. These investigations indicate that solar elastosis in skin can be treated with the 980 nm diode laser while preserving the epithelial layer.

Ocular and Facial Skin Exposure to Ultraviolet Radiation in Sunlight

A model of ocular and facial skin exposure to UVB is presented that combines interview histories of work activities, leisure activities, eyeglass wearing, and hat use with field and laboratory measurements of UV radiant exposure. Site-specific exposure is expressed as the product of personal ambient exposure, defined as the ambient exposure while an individual is exposed to sunlight, and factors that describe the ratio of site-specific to personal ambient exposure. Ocular exposure is further corrected by the UV attenuation of typical eyewear. The model was used to compute cumulative and yearly exposures in a population of 838 watermen who work on the Chesapeake Bay and are highly exposed to sunlight. The model was found to be predictive of conditions known to be caused by excessive sun exposure--skin elastosis, climatic droplet keratopathy, and squamous cell carcinoma--and has been useful in several epidemiological studies.

Elastic fibres in normal and sun-damaged skin: an immunohistochemical study.

Sun-exposed and sun-protected skin obtained at post mortem from the nape of the neck in 14 subjects was immunostained using antisera to elastin, lysozyme, amyloid P component, and the plasma protease inhibitors alpha-I antitrypsin, alpha-I antichymotrypsin and alpha-2 macroglobulin. Both the normal elastic fibres in sun-protected skin, and elastosis in sun-exposed skin were positively immunostained for elastin, lysozyme and amyloid P component. Collagen fibres were unstained. No immunostaining of normal elastic fibres or elastosis in the skin was obtained with antisera to alpha-I antitrypsin, alpha-I antichymotrypsin or alpha-2 macroglobulin. It was concluded that the elastosis in sun-exposed skin does contain elastic fibres. The absence of immunostaining for plasma protease inhibitors probably indicates that the elastic material is mature, and not newly-formed.

Breast cancer and elastosis.

Sections from 414 breast cancers were examined in order to estimate the frequency and grade of elastosis. The incidence of elastosis was correlated to age, different types of tumor, and, regarding ductal carcinoma, the grade of differentiation. Except for a shift to higher incidence over the age of 40, no positive correlation between increasing age and frequency or grade of elastosis was found. Moderately differentiated ductal carcinoma showed elastosis in 69.9%, and poorly differentiated in 63.1%. The incidence in 28 lobular carcinomas was 64.3%. Sections from ductal carcinomas with elastosis were treated with elastase and, subsequently, no elastin could be demonstrated. An amyloid-like material was left in areas where elastosis was seen in control sections. Senile elastosis reacted in a similar way to enzyme digestion, but, in other respects, a tinctorial divergency between mammary and skin elastosis was found. The possible significance of elastosis in breast cancer is briefly discussed.