Oral administration of hyaluronic acid to improve skin conditions via a randomized double-blind clinical test.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of oral intake of Hyaluronic Acid (HA) on skin health. BACKGROUND: HA, an endogenous substance in the human body, plays a key role in skin health. However, its concentration in the skin decreases significantly with age. Previous studies suggested that oral intake of HA can supplement the body's HA level, but did not reveal the effects on different age groups and skin types. METHODS: A double-blind, randomized clinical trial with 129 female participants, covering young and elderly groups and differnet skin types, was conducted to assess the efficacy of orally administered HA on skin health. RESULTS: Oral administration of HA significantly promoted skin hydration after 2-8 weeks among both young and elderly groups. Skin tone improvement was observed after 4-8 weeks, while an increase in epidermal thickness was noted after 12 weeks. CONCLUSION: This study provides direct evidence supporting the clinical efficacy of oral intake of HA in promoting skin health.

Novel cannabidiol aspartame combination treatment (JW-100) significantly reduces ISGA score in atopic dermatitis: Results from a randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled interventional study.

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common and chronic inflammatory skin disease that erupts periodically. Although the negative impact of the disorder on overall quality of life has been well established, new treatments for AD are still needed. Various studies have reported on cannabidiol's effectiveness in relieving pain and easing inflammation while not presenting major health risks. AIMS: In this communication, we aim to demonstrate the effectiveness of a novel cannabidiol (CBD) and aspartame formulation, JW-100, in relieving signs and symptoms of AD. PATIENTS/METHODS: We conducted a double-blinded placebo-controlled interventional study randomizing patients to one of three treatment groups: JW-100 (CBD plus aspartame), CBD only, or placebo topical formulations. The Investigator's Static Global Assessment (ISGA) score was used to document any changes in AD resulting from the applied interventions at 14 days. RESULTS: Fifty-seven patients completed the trial and were included in the final analysis. The ISGA score of the patients at baseline was 2.56, 2.24, and 2.24, for the JW-100, CBD, and placebo groups, respectively. After two weeks of treatment, the ISGA score reduced by 1.28, 0.81, and 0.71, for the JW-100, CBD, and placebo groups, respectively. The JW-100 cohorts demonstrated statistically significant ISGA score reduction (p = 0.042). 50% of patients in the JW-100 group achieved ISGA score of clear or almost clear (0 or 1) with at least a 2-grade improvement from baseline after treatment (p = 0.028). Only 20% and 15% of patients in the CBD only and placebo groups reported ISGA score of clear or almost clear (0 or 1). CONCLUSIONS: JW-100, a novel topical formulation containing CBD and aspartame, was demonstrated to produce statistically significant improvements in AD following 14 days of topical application.

Changes in Chinese patch testing practices over 13 years: Updated cross-sectional survey and possible international implications.

BACKGROUND: Patch testing, the standard method for diagnosing allergic contact dermatitis, has been utilized for over 30 years in China. A 2006 survey found that patch testing was widespread among Chinese dermatologists, but the practice and perceptions were unsatisfactory. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the current situation of patch testing practice and perception, we resurveyed Chinese dermatologists. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of Chinese dermatologists was conducted by electronic questionnaires at the 15th National Congress of Dermatology in November 2019. RESULTS: There were 2199 valid questionnaires collected. About 75% of dermatologists performed patch testing; the majority (59.2%) utilized the baseline (standard) allergen series made in China; others used TRUE Test or the Chemotechnique Diagnostics series, a greater share compared with 2006. Most (92.8%) performed only one single reading, more than 2006. About two-thirds offered patient education after patch testing, but only 27% were executed by trained dermatologists. Dermatologists from regional hospitals more likely performed patch testing and had better perception of patch testing. The majority (88.1%) had received patch testing training, which however did not significantly improve dermatologists' perception. CONCLUSIONS: There was an insignificant improvement in practice and perception of dermatologists compared with 2006. Further education and studies should be conducted. Similar surveys in other countries would be of interest.

Variation in skin biology to climate in Shanghai, China.

PURPOSE: To explore the relationship between climate and skin condition, and to investigate the variation of skin biology to climatic change. METHODS: In total, 2005 healthy Chinese volunteers living in Shanghai (aged 13-69 years) were recruited. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and SCH were tested on six sites (forehead, cheek, nasolabial, inner forearm, dorsal hand, and palm) by noninvasive devices between January 2005 and December 2012. The corresponding climate data were recorded by local Weather Bureau. RESULTS: TEWL was increased with atmospheric pressure and decreased with temperature, steam pressure, and relative humidity (p < 0.05). SCH was increased with steam pressure and decreased with atmospheric pressure (p < 0.05); there was no obvious trend between SCH and temperature and SCH and relative humidity. To investigate the climate parameters together, we introduced these correlated factors into the multivariate linear regression model which demonstrated that temperature and steam pressure were main factors related to skin biological parameters. At different sites, the effect of climatic factors on skin biology was diverse. CONCLUSION: Skin biological parameters are associated with climatic factors. Different sites have different sensitivity to climate factors.

CPT, the main test method of skin neuronal sensitivity.

BACKGROUND: Many scholars concentrate on skin barrier disruption of sensitive skin, but few focus on its increased neuronal sensitivity. OBJECTIVE: To study the possibility of using current perception threshold (CPT) measurement for the quantitative evaluation of skin neuronal sensitivity combined with stinging test. METHODS: The amount of 50 µL 10% lactic acid was applied on each side of the nasolabial fold at random. Subjects assessed stinging based on a 4-point scale at 30 s, 2.5 min and 5.0 min. CPT and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) were measured before and after stinging test. Subjects were divided into different groups based on their response to lactic acid. RESULTS: There was a positive correlation between CPTbefore and the sum of clinical scores (CSs). While the beginning time of stinging (BT) was shortened, the CPTbefore decreased and TEWL increased. CONCLUSION: Different degrees of skin susceptibility can be reflected by BT. CPT can be useful for the quantitative evaluation of skin neuronal sensitivity.

Acute skin barrier disruption with repeated tape stripping: an in vivo model for damage skin barrier.

PURPOSE: To establish a model of standardized acute barrier disruption, investigate the response of normal human to repeated tape stripping, and analyze the change of damaged skin with non-invasive examination techniques for skin, such as TEWL and squamometry. METHODS: Repeated tape stripping with corneofix was applied on three different anatomical sites; the measurement of TEWL was performed on the baseline and after every 5 strips. Then, the samples of corneofix were analyzed using Visioscan VC98 and squamometry. RESULTS: The parameter of TEWL and cohesion score show stable change trend. TEWL increased with frequency of stripping and were significantly higher compared with that of baseline on three sites. The results of staining of corneofix showed that the intercorneocyte cohesion is increased with the number of strips, and the more the number of strips, the more the fixation of dye per cell. CONCLUSION: The changes in the skin barrier function of different sites were different after it accepted physical stimulation, the process of damaging skin barrier could be divided into three stages based on the △TEWL. In addition, through stripping the skin of an adult, the in vivo model of damaged skin barrier could be setup.