ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Different strategies for hand skin hygiene have been used to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2. However, frequent hand sanitization has been associated with skin damage. The present study aimed to evaluate hand hygiene habits during the COVID-19 pandemic and the effect of the repetitive use of soap or alcohol-based products on skin characteristics. METHODS: We conducted a survey regards hand hygiene habits acquired during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, we performed cutometry in a cohort of individuals who cleansed their volar forearms every 30 min, during 4 h, using soap or alcohol-based products. RESULTS: We received 138 responses from people with medium-high educational level who reported a 2.5-time increase in the frequency of hand cleansing (p < 0.0001) that resulted in skin damage. An in vivo analysis of skin moisture and elasticity was also performed among 19 health workers and students. In general, skin moisture decreased with every cleansing, mainly after 2 h of washing with soap (p < 0.01), while skin elasticity only reduced after 4 h of treatment (p < 0.05). Alcohol-based solution or alcohol-based gel (70% ethanol, both) did not affect skin moisture or elasticity during testing. CONCLUSION: It is known that the excessive use of soap or alcohol-based products causes dermatological issues. The present study demonstrates that non-medicated soap significantly affects skin moisture and elasticity, probably because the soap removes the hydrolipidic protective barrier, favoring transepidermal water loss, where the lack of the appropriate stratum corneum hydration also affects skin elasticity, mainly associated with changes in epidermal structure.
ABSTRACT
Well-defined fuller lips, associated with attractiveness/youthfulness, continue to be a desirable trait. Age-related changes to lips include roughness, lip lines and wrinkles, loss of plumpness, hydration, volume, collagen, and elastin. Invasive procedures have disadvantages: risk of complications, affordability, and recovery time, it is the noninvasive treatment methods which are popular with the masses. With new ingredients, there is an ever-expanding list of lip products being introduced to improve/enhance beauty, while remaining inexpensive and most popular fashion trend amongst cosmetics. Lip cosmetics sales took a dive during the COVID era but is expected to soar with increasing demand for additional attributes of transfer proof and long wear besides typical expectations of hydration, volume, barrier repair, and antiaging. The study objective was to evaluate product efficacy and tolerance of novel ingredients in a lip care product for smoothness (visuals) plumping (calipers), hydration (corneometer), barrier function (TEWL), biomechanical properties (cutometer), transfer resistant, long wear, and tolerance in a 12-hour clinical trial study design. It involved 45 healthy volunteers (F, 18-65 y) with visual and tactile evaluations by a trained grader, various instrumental measurements, self-perception assessments and digital photographs. Our study results showed the lip care product is significantly effective at various time points for restoring hydration, plumpness, barrier function along with being transfer resistant, long lasting, and well tolerated. This methodical clinical design involving visual grading, instruments, digital photography and subjective perception is a reliable effective tool in meeting expectations for lip care products, especially in terms of performance, transfer resistance, and long wear.
ABSTRACT
In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the relationship between the clinical course of the disease and hematological data, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25 (OH) D), iron (Fe), free iron-binding capacity (UIBC), and D-dimer levels in calves with diarrhea in the neonatal period. Within the scope of the study, 10 healthy calves (group-I) and 30 diarrheal calves in the neonatal period of different races, ages and genders were used. Calves with diarrhea were divided into mild (group-II, n=10), moderate (group-III, n=10) and severe (group-IV, n=10) groups. Blood samples were taken from calves in all groups at once. Hematological analyzes were performed using a veterinary-specific hematology analyzer device. In serum samples, 25 (OH) D3, Fe and UIBC levels were determined with an autoanalyzer, and D-dimer levels were determined with an automatic immunoassay analyzer. In the hematological analysis, an increase was observed in the number of LYMs (lymphocytes) in group-II (5.04±1.3) and III (5.2±3.3) compared to group-I (4.47±1.2), and a decrease was observed in group IV (2.76±0.9) (P<0.05). Fe levels in group-II (59±56), group III (56±52) and group IV (72±63) were found to be decreased compared to group-I (131±66) (P<0.05). It was determined that the 25 (OH) D3 level of group IV (13.4±8.5) was higher than that of group-I (6.12±2.73) (P<0.05). D-dimer levels of group-III (1.15±1.13) and group-IV (0.96±0.88) were found to be higher than group-I (0.10±1.46) (P<0.05).
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Nowadays, face masks are a crucial part of our daily life. Previous studies on their impact on the skin usually focused on the adverse effects of face masks. Few studies have assessed their influence on skin characteristics. In a previous study, we identified the short-term effects of wearing face masks. Herein, we describe the long-term skin effects of face masks, for a period of 6 months. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Healthy volunteers (19 men and women), who wore face masks, participated in the study from June 2020 to December 2020. In all participants, skin characteristics such as trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), skin hydration, skin elasticity, skin pore area, skin keratin amount, skin temperature, skin redness, skin temperature, skin redness, and skin color were measured three times. RESULTS: TEWL, skin hydration, skin elasticity, skin pore area, skin keratin amount, and skin color changed significantly after 6 months. TEWL, skin hydration, skin pore area, skin keratin amount, and skin color were significantly different between the mask-wearing and non-mask-wearing areas. CONCLUSION: Long-term daily use of face masks can alter skin characteristics. Special care should be focused on the mask-wearing regions.