Mechanisms of skin moisturization with hyperharmonized hydroxyl modified fullerene substance.

BACKGROUND: Hyper Harmonized Hydroxyl Modified Fullerene Substance (3HFWC+ ) establishes hydrogen bonds with the surrounding water molecules and organizes them in clusters with the liquid crystalline state, similar to the properties of water surrounding the biomolecules. AIMS: To investigate the moisturizing properties of hyperharmonized fullerenol-3HFWC+ as an emulsion O/W ingredient on the skin. PATIENTS/METHODS: We have analyzed the reflexion of the blue light from the skin, in vivo, with different levels of moisturization and compared the influence of three groups of cosmetic products (with various active ingredients, 3HFWC+ or water in same percentage in the "vehiculum") on skin moisturization by measuring paramagnetic/diamagnetic properties by Optomagnetic Imaging Spectroscopy. RESULTS: Regenerating Cream and Body Lotion have shown statistically significant increase of diamagnetic features predominantly in all 3 types of creams, while the Hand Cream formulations have not shown statistically significant results after 4 weeks of treatment. Anti-aging cream with 3HFWC+ demonstrated statistically significant increase of paramagnetic properties of the skin (p+ /p- from 0.90 to 0.62) and showed beneficial effects on information transfer and water content in stratum corneum. CONCLUSION: Although it does not act as a classical moisturizing agent on the skin, 3HFWC+ can increase moisturization as a result of hydrogen bonds established among 3HFWC+ and water or biomolecules, liquid crystalline state of water in 3HFWC+ resembling the properties of water surrounding the biomolecules, and finally, liquid crystalline state of water in the products.

Influence of hyper-harmonized fullerene water complex on collagen quality and skin function.

BACKGROUND: Fullerene water complex establishes the optimal order and function of biomolecules in natural, biophysical way by transducing the signal through water hydrogen bonds to biomolecules. OBJECTIVES: This paper considers the effects of the patented hyper-harmonized-hydroxylated fullerene water complex (3HFWC) on biophysical properties of the skin collagen molecules. METHOD: Optomagnetic imaging spectroscopy (OMIS) has been used for the analysis of the biophysical skin properties (diamagnetic/paramagnetic) after applying three groups of different cosmetic products. Tested cosmetic products were prepared by replacing the active ingredients with 3HFWC or with water in four commercial products. The original commercial creams and their vehiculums with water added served as control groups. Data were statistically analyzed using paired t test in R software. RESULTS: t Test gave statistically significant results for all of the products with 3HFWC, while within the control group, only body lotion and hand cream did show statistically significant results (P < 0.05). Significant improvements in abundance and quality of collagen in the dermis were achieved with body lotion with 3HFWC (p+ /p- ranged from 0.82 to 0.97). While body lotion vehiculum made collagen-water interaction more stable (p+ /p- ranged from 0.3 to 0.55), hand cream with 3HFWC made it more dynamic (p+ /p- ranged from 0.63 to 0.49). Body lotion vehiculum improved the compactness of the dermis (p+ /p- ranged from 0.2 to 1.03), as well as commercial hand cream (p+ /p- ranged from 0.28 to 0.85). CONCLUSION: Compared to the control groups, cosmetic products with 3HFWC demonstrated positive effects on the biophysical properties of the skin. Increased paramagnetic properties are linked to more unpaired electrons, their faster movement, and, finally, better signal transduction. Thus, products with 3HFWC could enable faster regeneration of collagen and prompt skin reaction to the negative environmental influences.

SUN PROTECTION BEHAVIOR AMONG ADOLESCENTS - A COMPARATIVE STUDY CONDUCTED IN 2008 AND 2012.

INTRODUCTION: Adolescents should limit their exposure to sun and apply sun protection measures. The purpose of this study was to establish changes in adolescents behavior regarding sun protection beetwen years 2008 and 2012, as well as to assess the impact of sex and skin photo-type on behavior in order to suggest positive sun protection behavior practised in other countries and to improve educational program. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An original, tailormade questionnaire (about the skin types, exposure to sun and the use of sunbed) was distributed among 16 and 17-year-old students in high school in Belgrade, Serbia to be fulfilled within the framework of the educational project in. 2008 and 2012. Data were analyzed by the Pearson's chi square test and logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: The total number of questionnaires completed in 2008 and in 2012 was 1138 and 583, respectively. In 2012, the students spent less time outdoors. According to the 2008 survey, the girls used more sun protection measures, but reported more sunburns and the use of sunbed than the boys. In 2012 more sunburns were reported by the boys as well as the increased use of the sunglasses, wearing a hat/cap and staying in the shade. CONCLUSION: There were statistically significant changes in behavior of adolescents regarding exposure to sun between 2008 and 2012, and between male and female gender. It is recommended to organize regular educational interventions at schools which should emphasize the following: the importance of sun protection measures, limited sunbathing and outdoor physical activities as well.

The impact of education on adolescents' sun behavior: experiences from Serbia.

INTRODUCTION: In Serbia, there have been no broad campaigns or educational programs focused on adolescents' sun protection. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to assess whether an educational program would have impact on changes of attitudes and sun-protective behaviors of high school students. More specific aim was to examine whether sex and age differences in sun behavior exists. METHODS: Educational program was designed to provoke changes in attitudes towards sun protection and sun behavior. The investigation was carried out in Belgrade, Serbia in two educational cycles, during spring 2007 and 2008. Sixteen- and 17-year old high schools students were targeted and assessed before and after the educational intervention by means of self-report questionnaire designed for this study (about skin types and sun behavior). The students' attitudes towards sun protection and sun behavior before and after the educational intervention were compared and analyzed by the Pearson's chi-square test and logistic regression analyses. In the second educational cycle (2008) age and gender differences in sun behavior were analyzed. RESULTS: Overall 3205 students in 2007, and 2155 students in 2008 year from 11 high schools participated. A statistically significant behavior change was observed for the use of sunglasses in 2007--the number of students using them increased from 41.6% to 45.6% (p < 0.05). There were no significant changes in other ways of protection i.e. sunscreen use, protective clothes or staying in shade. CONCLUSION: Educational program had an impact, but broader activities involving schools, local communities and media are needed for significant changes in sun behavior and attitude.