A skincare containing retinol adenosine and hyaluronic acid optimises the benefits from a type A botulinum toxin injection.

INTRODUCTION: A monocentre double-blind two parallel group clinical study was conducted to assess whether a new skincare regimen containing retinol, adenosine and hyaluronic acid, applied after the injection of botulinum toxin A to the glabellar area, provided a beneficial effect. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Standardised photographs acquired using LifeViz cameras and zoomed pictures of the glabella and of the crow's feet areas were analysed with automatic well-defined procedures. Perceived efficacy and tolerance were also analysed by comparison between the two groups. RESULTS: A beneficial effect versus placebo-treated group was proven in the group having topically applied the new skincare regimen for 2 months following botulinum toxin A injection with no touch up after 1 month. 3D image analysis showed more rapid results on D10 and enhanced efficacy on M2. Moreover, a beneficial effect independent of injection was measured in the crow's feet area, and analysis of the self-evaluation questionnaire showed enhanced efficacy perceived by the volunteers. CONCLUSION: A specially developed skincare regimen applied immediately after botulinum toxin A injection completes the beneficial effect of the injection on the glabellar area and offers clinical benefits in fine lines, wrinkles and smoothness on the whole face.

Quality of life in postmenopausal women: translation and validation of MSkinQOL questionnaire to measure the effect of a skincare product in USA.

OBJECTIVES: The 28-item Menopausal Skin Quality Of Life (MSkinQOL), a previously validated French questionnaire, developed to assess psychological features of menopausal women and to measure the benefits of using cosmetic skincare products was translated and validated to assess a skincare product in the USA. METHODS: Construct validity, reliability, reproducibility, and responsiveness were assessed with two groups of 100 nonmenopausal (NM) and 100 postmenopausal (PM) women. The group of PM women applied a specially developed skincare product twice daily for 1 month and filled in the same questionnaire after 1 month as well as a general self-assessment questionnaire about the efficacy and cosmetic properties of the product. RESULTS: No ceiling or floor effects were identified. Construct and internal validity was assessed using a multitrait analysis: questionnaire items proved closely correlated, and each dimension covers a different aspect of women answers profile. The three dimensions showed good reliability and stability. Baseline values for social effects of skin appearance, health status, and self-esteem were significantly different between PM and NM volunteers. Values of these three dimensions were significantly improved after 2 weeks of product application, and further improved after 4 weeks. CONCLUSION: This study shows that a careful translation and a rigorous process of validation lead to a reliable tool adapted to each country to explore and measure quality of life in healthy PM women.

A new Vitreoscilla filiformis extract grown on spa water-enriched medium activates endogenous cutaneous antioxidant and antimicrobial defenses through a potential Toll-like receptor 2/protein kinase C, zeta transduction pathway.

Vitreoscilla filiformis (VF) biomass (VFB) has been widely used in cosmetic preparations and shown to modulate the major inducible free-radical scavenger mitochondrial superoxide dismutase in skin cells. By adding La Roche-Posay (LRP) thermal spring water to the VF culture medium, we obtained a biomass (LRP-VFB) with a similar mitochondrial superoxide dismutase activation capacity to VF. Also, the new biomass more powerfully stimulated mRNA expression and antimicrobial peptides in reconstructed epidermis. Interestingly, a predictive computer model that analyzed transducing events within skin epidermal cells suggested that this protective activity may involve the Toll-like receptor 2/protein kinase C, zeta transduction pathway. Protein kinase C, zeta inhibition was effectively shown to abolish VFB-induced gene stimulation and confirmed this hypothesis. This thus opens new avenues for investigation into the improvement of skin homeostatic defense in relation to the control of its physiological microbiota and innate immunity.