Skin sebum and skin elasticity: Major influencing factors for facial pores

Comparative Effects of Facial Roller and Gua Sha Massage on Facial Contour, Muscle Tone, and Skin Elasticity: Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to compare the effects of facial roller and gua sha massage on anthropometric facial contours, muscle tone, and skin elasticity parameters during an 8-week intervention period.

METHODS

Thirty-four women aged 20-50 years were randomly assigned to facial roller (n = 17) or gua sha (n = 17) groups. Participants performed the designated massage technique for 10 min, five times per week for 8 weeks. Outcome measures included facial surface distances (subnasale-to-sublobular distance, mid-point distance, labrale superius distance, jawline surface distance), muscle tone parameters (oscillation frequency [F], dynamic stiffness [s]), and skin elasticity indices (gross elasticity [R2], biological elasticity [R7]).

RESULTS

Both groups showed significant improvements in facial contour measurements, with reductions ranging from 2.23 to 2.40 mm in the gua sha group (p < 0.001 for all measurements) and 2.75-3.26 mm in the facial roller group (p < 0.001 for all measurements). The gua sha group demonstrated significant reductions in muscle tone parameters (F: -2.02 Hz, p < 0.001; S: -56.46 N/m, p = 0.002), while the facial roller group showed significant improvements in skin elasticity (R2: 8.6%, R7: 7.5%, p < 0.001). The between-group differences were significant for both muscle tone (p < 0.05) and skin elasticity parameters (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Both interventions effectively improved facial contours through distinct physiological mechanisms: gua sha primarily through changes in muscle properties and facial roller through enhanced skin elasticity. These findings support targeted treatment selection based on specific therapeutic goals in facial aesthetic practice.

A comprehensive classification and analysis of oily sensitive facial skin: a cross-sectional study of young Chinese women

Oily sensitive skin is complex and requires accurate identification and personalized care. However, the current classification method relies on subjective assessment. This study aimed to classify skin type and subtype using objective biophysical parameters to investigate differences in skin characteristics across anatomical and morphological regions. This study involved 200 Chinese women aged 17-34 years. Noninvasive capture of biophysical measures and image analysis yielded 104 parameters. Key classification parameters were identified through mechanisms and characteristics, with thresholds set via statistical methods. This study identified the optimal ternary value classification method for dividing skin types into dry, neutral, and oily types based on tertiles of biophysical parameters and, further, into barrier-sensitive, neurosensitive, and inflammatory-sensitive types. Oily sensitive skin shows increased sebum, follicular orifices, redness, dullness, wrinkles, and porphyrins, along with a tendency for oiliness and early acne. Subtypes exhibited specific characteristics: barrier-sensitive skin was rough with a high pH and prone to acne; neurosensitive skin had increased TEWL (Transepidermal Water Loss) and sensitivity; and inflammatory-sensitive skin exhibited a darker tone, with low elasticity and uneven redness. This study established an objective classification system for skin types and subtypes using noninvasive parameters, clarifying the need for care for oily sensitive skin and supporting personalized skincare.

Aging-Induced Changes in Cutibacterium acnes and Their Effects on Skin Elasticity and Wrinkle Formation

Skin aging involves biomechanical changes like decreased elasticity, increased wrinkle formation, and altered barrier function. The skin microbiome significantly impacts this process. Here, we investigated the effects of decreased Cutibacterium acnes abundance and increase in other skin microorganisms on skin biomechanical properties in 60 healthy Koreans from Seoul, divided into younger (20-29 years) and older (60-75 years) groups. Metagenomic sequencing and skin assessments showed that the older group exhibited decreased C. acnes dominance and increased microbial diversity, correlating with reduced skin elasticity and increased wrinkles. In the younger age group, the enriched pathways included zeatin biosynthesis, distinct biotin metabolism pathways, and cofactor and vitamin metabolism in the younger age group, whereas pathways related to lipid metabolism, energy metabolism, and responses to environmental stressors, including UV damage and pollution, were enriched in the older group, according to functional analysis results. Network analysis indicated higher microbial connectivity in the younger group, suggesting a more stable community, whereas the older group's community displayed higher modularity, indicating more independent and specialized clusters. This study enhances our understanding of the impact of skin microbiome changes on skin aging, particularly the anti-aging effects of C. acnes. Future research should focus on the physiological mechanisms of skin microbiota on skin aging and explore therapeutic potentials to enhance skin health.

Facial pore refining by targeting dermal and epidermal functions: Assessment across age and gender

BACKGROUND

Conspicuous facial pores are benign but represent a cosmetic concern for men and women. Recent works described dermal and epidermal impairments as clinical causes of enlarged pores. Morphological modifications of skin at the site of pores were associated with collagen density loss, possible alteration of extracellular matrix and abnormal differentiation of keratinocytes.

AIMS

A composition containing mannose-6-phosphate (Active Complex) was designed to address these different aspects of pore enlargement. In vitro and ex vivo evaluations were conducted in different models mimicking disturbance of dermal and epidermal functions. The pore refining activity of Active Complex was assessed in two clinical trials studying a Caucasian women cohort and an Asian men cohort.

RESULTS

At the dermal level, Active Complex upregulated collagen I and decorin synthesis, and genes encoding collagens I, III, V, VII, XVII; suggesting its ability to favor collagen fiber organization and anchorage. The downregulation of matrix metalloprotease, involved in extracellular matrix degradation, reinforced the protective effect of Active Complex in the dermis. Active Complex down modulated differentiation markers in keratinocytes as well as genes involved in cell renewal. Study of reconstructed human epidermis modeling keratinocyte hyperproliferation revealed that Active Complex mitigated two markers of this state: number of nuclei in the stratum corneum and involucrin expression. Clinical trials confirmed the pore refining activity of Active Complex on men and women of different ages and ethnicities; -24% total skin pore area after 56 days of application on women, and -30.2% on men after 7 days.

CONCLUSIONS

This work demonstrates the interest to target dermal and epidermal modifications described in conspicuous pore area, especially dermis fiber organization, to address this cosmetic concern.

Potential role of inflammaging mediated by the complement system in enlarged facial pores

BACKGROUND

Enlarged facial pores are a common cosmetic concern of the skin, rather than a disease, and have not received much attention from dermatologists in recent years. Consequently, progress in understanding their pathogenesis has been limited, and current cosmetic solutions have limitations. Given that the complement system has regained interest as a key player in chronic inflammatory skin conditions, various mechanisms involving this system are being investigated.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to shed light on the mechanism underlying enlarged facial pores by examining the role of the complement system in skin.

METHODS

We conducted a comprehensive literature search utilizing various academic databases including PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Employing keywords such as "complement system," "inflammation," "facial pores," "enlarged," and "mechanisms," we compiled a selection of relevant studies. These studies provided a comprehensive understanding of the intricate mechanisms underlying the relationship between the "complement system" and "inflammation" within the context of facial pore enlargement.

RESULTS

Our findings suggest that inflammaging mediated by complement activation may be a critical player in the formation of enlarged facial pores. Specifically, overactivation of the complement system leading to the accumulation of complement fragments could be a major contributor to this process. Notably, the complement system in skin may be involved in a range of skin issues, including aging.

CONCLUSION

Modulating the complement system presents a promising avenue for future research in improving skin health. Further basic and clinical research is necessary to validate these findings, but we hope that this study can serve as a theoretical foundation for the development of targeted cosmetics.

Effects of a grapeseed oil (Vitis vinifera L.) loaded dermocosmetic nanoemulgel on biophysical parameters of facial skin: A split-face, blinded, placebo-controlled study

BACKGROUND

Worldwide, grapes (Vitis vinifera L.; family: Vitaceae) are one of the most important fruits. Grapeseed oil is rich in bioactive constituents that could be beneficial to the health and aesthetic features of human skin.

OBJECTIVE

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of a novel grapeseed oil-loaded dermocosmetic nanoemulgel on biophysical parameters of facial skin.

METHODS

This was a split-face, blinded, placebo-controlled study. A novel grapeseed oil-loaded dermocosmetic nanoemulgel was developed, and its effects on the biophysical parameters of the facial skin were evaluated and compared to those of a placebo formulation on the cheeks of 15 healthy volunteers. Melanin, erythema, sebum production, fine and large facial pores, moisture, and elasticity levels were measured using Mexameter®, Corneometer®, Sebumeter®, Cutometer®, and VisioFace®. Measurements were made on weekly basis for 12 weeks.

RESULTS

Compared to the placebo, the novel grapeseed oil-loaded dermocosmetic nanoemulgel received significantly higher sensory scores with regard to appearance, color, odor, consistency, adhesion, sensation, cohesiveness, and spreadability (p-value < 0.05). Additionally, the novel nanoemulgel continuously and significantly reduced skin melanin, erythema, sebum production, and fine and large pores (p-value < 0.05). On the contrary, the novel nanoemulgel continuously and significantly increased skin moisture contents and elasticity (p-value < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The novel grapeseed oil-loaded dermocosmetic nanoemulgel had attractive cosmetic attributes that could be useful for improving imperfections of the human skin. Future studies are still needed to test and evaluate the benefits of this novel grapeseed oil-loaded dermocosmetic nanoemulgel in disease conditions.

Effects of one year of daily face mask wearing on the skin during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic

Background

As coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) continues, the long‐term daily use of masks is increasing. A full year includes the four seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Skin may have been affected by the seasons and further affected by the use of masks. In a previous study, we confirmed the short‐term and 6‐month effects of wearing face masks. In this study, we investigated how certain characteristics of the skin change when wearing a mask for 1 year. Furthermore, we compared skin covered by the mask (mask‐skin zone) to skin that was not covered.

Materials and methods

The participants were 18 healthy adults (8 men; 10 women) who were asked to wear masks in their daily lives from June 2020 to June 2021. During this period, participants’ skin characteristics, such as trans‐epidermal water loss, skin hydration, skin elasticity, skin keratin amount, skin pore area, skin temperature, skin redness, and skin color, were measured five times.

Results

Trans‐epidermal water loss, skin keratin amount, skin pore area, skin color, and skin elasticity changed significantly during the year. Furthermore, trans‐epidermal water loss, skin hydration, skin keratin amount, skin pore area, and skin color were significantly different between the mask‐wearing and non‐mask‐wearing areas of the face.

Conclusion

The skin characteristics of the mask‐skin zone can be affected by long‐term wearing of a face mask under lifestyle and environmental conditions. During the COVID‐19 pandemic, skin care for the mask‐skin zone is also necessary for people who do not wear masks on a daily basis.

The efficacy of polycaprolactone filler injection on enlarged facial pores

BACKGROUND

Facial pores, visible topographic change of skin representing enlarged openings of pilosebaceous follicles, are common aesthetic concern.

AIM

To examine the efficacy of polycaprolactone (PCL) filler on enlarged facial pores and skin texture improvement.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of seven participants with enlarged facial pores were included in the study and underwent deep dermal injection of PCL based filler (Ellanse M, Sinclair Pharma; London, United Kingdom). Skin quality measurements including skin evenness, red areas, UV spots, wrinkles and pore numbers evaluated with an automated aesthetic camera (FotoFinder®, Teach Screen Systems software GmbH; Bad Birnbach, Germany) before and three months after the injection session. Adverse events during procedure were monitored and recorded. Subjects were asked to report any injection related side effects.

RESULTS

The average size of enlarged pores was 33.51 ± 41 before treatment and 20.51 ± 35 after treatment. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The skin evenness, red areas, UV spots, and wrinkles showed no significant improvement after filler injection. No serious adverse events were reported at follow-up visit.

CONCLUSION

The PCL based filler seems to be notably effective in improvement of enlarged facial pores especially in moderate to severe cases. However, further structured studies with larger sample size and control group could be more beneficial to elucidate the possible efficacy of PCL filler injection on the skin quality characteristics. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of the changes in sebum, moisturization and elasticity in acne vulgaris patients receiving systemic isotretinoin treatment

AIM

The aim of this study was to determine the change in facial skin sebum, hydration and elasticity of acne vulgaris patients after being treated with systemic isotretinoin.

METHOD

Patients who were diagnosed with acne vulgaris and who received systemic isotretinoin treatment for 6 months in Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty Department of Dermatology between June 2012 and May 2017 were included in this study. The sebum, hydration and elasticity of the skin were measured non-invasively with a device called "Soft Plus Skin Analyses System" before treatment and 6 months after treatment. The relationship between the pre-treatment and post-treatment values were evaluated statistically. 35 adult patients (20 female, 15 male) who were diagnosed with acne vulgaris and who received systemic isotretinoin treatment for 6 months.

RESULTS

The pre-treatment sebum value for both sexes ranged between 5 and 100 and the mean value was calculated as 75.8 ± 28.0. The post-treatment sebum values ranged between 1 and 98 and the mean value was calculated as 48.4 ± 31.8. The difference between the pre-treatment and post-treatment values was statistically significant, p < 0.001. The decline in sebum value after treatment was 36%. The pre-treatment hydration values ranged between 9 and 77.5 and the mean was 34.6 ± 14.6. The post treatment hydration values ranged between 4.8 and 100 and the mean was calculated as 62.4 ± 28.6. The difference between the pre-treatment and post-treatment hydration values were statistically significant, p < 0.001. The post-treatment increase in hydration was 79%. The pre-treatment skin elasticity ranged between 28 and 50; the mean was 40.4 ± 5.5. The post-treatment elasticity values ranged between 20 and 50; and the mean was 37.5 ± 8.2. However, the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.1).

CONCLUSION

With this study, it was concluded that, systemic isotretion leads to a 36% decline in skin sebum values and a 79% increase in the skin hydration. However, the change in skin elasticity was not statistically significant. Furthermore, the changes in sebum and skin hydration did not lead to a change in skin elasticity.

Prediction of future wrinkles for middle-aged women: A 7-year longitudinal study on the progression of wrinkles in Japanese women

BACKGROUND

It is commonly believed that there is serious heterogeneity in the rate of wrinkle progression among individuals. Although several skin characteristics have been shown to influence wrinkle progression, the ability to predict which individuals with skin characteristics are likely to develop wrinkles is still limited.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study is to develop and validate an effective prediction model for longitudinal changes in wrinkles.

METHODS

We collected annual wrinkle scores and multiple skin physiological characteristics in 48 Japanese women over a period of 7 years. We developed a multivariable prediction model for predicting future wrinkle status based on the various skin physiological characteristics using a linear mixed-effects model.

RESULTS

After variable selection by backwards, the final wrinkle prediction model included age, sebum volume, redness of skin color, lightness of skin color, and an interaction term between sebum volume and redness of skin color. The developed prediction model showed favorable prediction accuracy (R²  = 87.92%, 95% confidence interval 84.27%-90.68%).

CONCLUSIONS

The developed model accurately predicted levels of wrinkles in Japanese women aged 22-60 years. The prediction model is based on age and three practical skin characteristics, which might implicate an essential insight to prevent wrinkle progression in individuals.

Changes in skin wrinkles and pores due to long-term mask wear

Background

The spread of COVID‐19 has made mask wear essential. Expecting that long‐term mask wear would change the characteristics of skin, this study investigated changes in skin wrinkles and pores caused by long‐term mask wear and whether or not use of moisturizers has an effect on any changes.

Materials and methods

The study participants were 20 women who were instructed to wear a mask for at least 6 hours a day for 4 weeks. Measurements of skin wrinkles and pores were obtained before and after the 4 weeks of mask wear. The effects of application of a moisturizer were assessed by applying moisturizer within the mask‐wearing area. They completed a questionnaire about skin changes at the end of the study period.

Results

After wearing the mask for 4 weeks, there was a significant increase in the skin wrinkles and pores; both variables decreased significantly in skin areas where a moisturizer had been applied. The results of the questionnaire‐based survey indicated the study participants considered that long‐term wearing of a mask had affected their skin.

Conclusion

Wearing a mask for extended periods increases skin wrinkles and pores and using a moisturizer when wearing the mask helps to reduce this problem.

Combined therapy with Endoret-Gel and plasma rich in growth factors vs Endoret-Gel alone in the management of facial rejuvenation: A comparative study

BACKGROUND

Skin suffers progressive decrement. An endogenous regenerative technology has been developed that has the versatility to provide an autologous injectable gel (Endoret-Gel) or a liquid plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) based on the patient´s own platelet-rich plasma.

AIMS

To compare the efficacy of the combined therapy with Endoret-Gel and PRGF versus Endoret-Gel alone in the management of facial rejuvenation.

METHODS

Twenty clinically diagnosed patients with aged skin received either Endoret-Gel monotherapy or Endoret-Gel + PRGF combined therapy. Patients underwent three sessions at one-month intervals and were clinically assessed for six months. Corneometry, sebumetry, and high-resolution topographic analysis were carried out. Patient self-assessment questionnaires and clinical improvement scores were also performed.

RESULTS

The combined therapy showed to promote a higher hydration index. These results were also significant for spot improvement at three months, while conversely, monotherapy with Endoret-Gel demonstrated higher UV spot improvement. A significant decrease of sebum production and wrinkle development was observed for both treatment groups. Red areas also improved in a similar way at the end of the follow-up period. After Endoret-Gel or Endoret-Gel + PRGF therapy, 30% and 70% of patients referred to be very satisfied, respectively. Accordingly, 40% and 80% showed a "very improved" esthetic performance. None of the patients reported a negative change and no adverse events were recorded.

CONCLUSION

Both Endoret-Gel monotherapy and the combined treatment with PRGF were shown to promote facial rejuvenation and to palliate the age-related cutaneous atrophy. The combined therapy may exert a synergistic effect that addresses both skin quality improvement and soft tissue restoration in a shorter period.