The usefulness of a dermocosmetic containing Myrtus communis extract and azelaic acid for maintenance phase of adult female acne: Results from a randomized exploratory investigator-blinded comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Acne is a very common condition. Currently, there are relatively few studies available to help guidance-based decisions for its long-term management, especially studies with cosmetic care products. We have developed a skin care product dedicated to adult female acne. OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the efficacy and tolerance of the test product containing Myrtus communis extract and azelaic acid compared with a light moisturizing cream (LCM) in adult females in the acne maintenance phase. METHODS: A clinical study was conducted as a Brazilian, multicentre, randomized, investigator-blinded trial in adult females with clear or almost clear facial acne after anti-acne treatment. The test group (26 subjects) applied the test product and the comparative product group (27 subjects) applied LCM. Both groups applied the products twice daily on the whole face. Subjects were evaluated every 4 weeks over 16 weeks. Efficacy was evaluated according to acne relapse; Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA); acne lesions counting; AcneQoL questionnaire; Subject Global change Assessment (SGA) of acne severity; and the number of Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH) and Post-Inflammatory Erythema (PIE) lesions. Tolerance was assessed according to a 5-point scale. RESULTS: Over 16 weeks, the number of acne relapse was more than double in the comparator compared to the test product group (eight subjects vs. three subjects respectively). There was no statistical difference in the evolution of the mean IGA from baseline between the two groups; however, 85% of subjects were assessed as clear or almost clear in the test product group and 67% in the comparative group. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the effectiveness topical application of the test product compared to LCM on acne severity in the maintenance phase of adult female acne. Efficacy results after 16 weeks suggested a trend to limit acne relapses and a benefit of the test product in maintaining long-term remission.

Efficacy and Safety of Topical or Oral Hydrolyzed Collagen in Women with Dermatoporosis: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Factorial Design Study.

BACKGROUND: Dermatoporosis defines the progressive chronic cutaneous insufficiency syndrome. Stage I is characterized by cutaneous atrophy, senile purpura, and stellate pseudoscars. OBJECTIVE: To assess clinical, histologic, quality of life, and biophysical effects of oral and/or topical hydrolyzed collagen (HC) on forearm skin of postmenopausal women with Dermatoporosis stage I. METHODS: Double-blind randomized placebo-controlled factorial design study. Two groups of menopausal women with stage I dermatoporosis on forearms were randomized to oral HC 5 g/day or matching placebo, and also to topical serum 2.5% HC or matching placebo once a day, for 6 months. RESULTS: A total of 56 women, age range 60-93 years (mean 69.5 ± 7.3 years) were included. Comparing data from baseline and after 6 months, no significant difference was observed for each intervention nor their comparison, for all efficacy parameters: clinical and quality of life scores, dermal elasticity, thickness and echogenicity, and histologic and immunohistochemical markers (p > 0.1). LIMITATIONS: Larger studies to confirm our findings are warranted. CONCLUSIONS: In menopausal women with stage I dermatoporosis, oral or topical collagen peptides used alone or in combination do not have benefits on forearm skin after 6 months of intervention, and therefore should not be used routinely in this population. CONSORT flow chart.

Prevalence and factors associated with gynoid lipodystrophy in Brazilian adolescent girls: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Gynoid lipodystrophy (GLD), or female cellulitis, is a chronic multifactorial disorder characterized by the irregular appearance of the skin surface on the thighs and gluteal regions, which affects 80-90% of women after puberty. No curative treatments are available, and there is a paucity of epidemiological studies related to its prevalence, quality of life impact, and risk factors. We aimed to identify the prevalence and factors associated with the development of GLD in Brazilian adolescent girls. METHODS: A cross-sectional study examined adolescent girls from São Paulo, Brazil. The explored factors were grouped: familial history, gynecological and hormonal characteristics, exercise practice, nutrition and diet, anthropometric measures, body mass index, and body composition, according to GLD severity assessed through multivariate hierarchic statistics. RESULTS: In total, 184 girls, aged from 12 to 18 years, were included in the study. The overall prevalence of GLD was 77.7% (CI 95% 71.7-82.1%); moderate and severe categories of GLD occurred in 56.5% (CI 95% 48.9-62.5%) of the sample. An impact on the quality of life was identified in 39.7% of the girls. GLD was independently associated with higher body mass index, early menarche, higher carbohydrate intake, lower water consumption, menstrual irregularity, familial report of GLD, and less exercise practice. CONCLUSION: Gynoid lipodystrophy is a multifactorial disorder; its onset in adolescent girls is associated with familial occurrence, body composition, diet habits, exercise, and hormonal factors. These results support further interventions for GLD prevention and treatment.

Transcriptomic and histological analysis of exposed facial skin areas wrinkled or not and unexposed skin.

BACKGROUND: Skin aging involves genetic, environmental and hormonal factors. Facial wrinkles also depend on muscular activity. Gene expression investigation may be useful for new anti-aging products. METHODS AND RESULTS: To evaluate structure and gene expression differences among exposed and unexposed skin in menopausal women. Cross-sectional study, including 15 menopausal women, 55-65 years, phototype III; photo-exposed, periorbital wrinkles (A1), preauricular, not wrinkled (A2), and unexposed gluteal (A3) areas were described and compared by non-invasive measures, histology, immunohistochemistry and gene expression (RNASeq); participants mean age was 61yo, presenting moderate periorbital wrinkles and light facial photodamage. Higher roughness, wrinkles number and echogenicity were observed in A1 and A2 versus A3. Decreased epidermal thickness and dermal collagen IV were demonstrated in A1 versus A2 and A3. Exposed areas impacted different pathways compared to unexposed. Exposed wrinkled skin (A1) showed impact on cell movement with decreased inflammatory activation state. Pathways related to lipid and aminoacids metabolism were modulated in non-wrinkled exposed (A2) compared to unexposed (A3) skin. CONCLUSIONS: Expected histological findings and gene expression differences among areas were observed. Photoaging in menopausal women may modulate lipid and aminoacids metabolism and decrease inflammatory and keratinization pathways, cellular homeostasis, immune response, fibrogenesis and filament formation. These findings may help development of new therapies for skin health and aging control.