Lídia Palma

Dietary water affects human skin hydration and biomechanics.

It is generally assumed that dietary water might be beneficial for the health, especially in dermatological (age preventing) terms. The present study was designed to quantify the impact of dietary water on major indicators of skin physiology. A total of 49 healthy females (mean 24.5±4.3 years) were selected and characterized in terms of their dietary daily habits, especially focused in water consumption, by a Food Frequency Questionnaire. This allowed two groups to be set – Group 1 consuming less than 3,200 mL/day (n=38), and Group 2 consuming more than 3,200 mL/day (n=11). Approximately 2 L of water were added to the daily diet of Group 2 individuals for 1 month to quantify the impact of this surplus in their skin physiology. Measurements involving epidermal superficial and deep hydration, transepidermal water loss, and several biomechanical descriptors were taken at day 0 (T0), 15 (T1), and 30 (T2) in several anatomical sites (face, upper limb, and leg). This stress test (2 L/day for 30 days) significantly modified superficial and deep skin hydration, especially in Group 1. The same impact was registered with the most relevant biomechanical descriptors. Thus, in this study, it is clear that higher water inputs in regular diet might positively impact normal skin physiology, in particular in those individuals with lower daily water consumptions.

Excessive Weight Favours Skin Physiology - Up to a Point: Another Expression of the Obesity Paradox

Background/Aims: Recently classified as an epidemic by the WHO, obesity (as well as the state of being overweight) clearly affects significant populations across all ages. The relationship between obesity and some diseases (e.g. cardiovascular ones) is known, although many paradoxes remain to be explained. Very little information is available, however, regarding its impact on skin physiology and skin disease. This study aims to examine the influence of excessive weight on epidermal hydration and transepidermal water loss, key variables of skin water balance and skin biomechanics. Methods: A convenience sample of 89 healthy female volunteers was selected and divided into 4 groups, according to their BMI (body mass index), as normal (control), overweight, obese (I and II), and morbid. Skin physiology was quantitatively assessed in all individuals in 4 anatomical areas using non-invasive biometrical analysis by reference instrumentation. Descriptive and comparative statistics were applied, adopting a confidence level of 95%. Results: A non-linear alteration for all variables was detected as a function of BMI. Conclusion: Results suggest that excessive weight might favour skin performance within certain limits, reflecting a particular adaptation of the skin to the weight gain and body contour.

Design and evaluation of novel topical formulation with olive oil as natural functional active

Abstract Currently, the innovative skin research is focused on the development of novel topical formulations loaded with natural functional actives. The health benefits of olive oil are unsurpassed and many others are revealed as research studies allow the understanding of its unlimited properties. Olive oil has a protective toning effect on skin, but it is not transported effectively into its layers. Aiming the development of a cosmetic formulation for skin photoprotection and hydration, we have prepared and characterized macro-sized particles, made of a hydrogel polymer, loaded with olive oil. Alginate beads were uniform in shape, with minimal oil leakage, offering interesting prospects for encapsulation of lipophilic and poorly stable molecules, like olive oil. In vitro photoprotection and in vivo tolerance tests were in favor of this application. Thus, this study suggests that the incorporation of the olive oil-loaded particles into a cream formulation provides strong moisturizing properties and a photoprotective potential, when applied to healthy subjects.

Impact of excess body weight on skin hydration and biomechanics

© Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2015. P. Humbert et al. (eds.), Measuring the Skin

Impact of overweight on the normal physiology of human in vivo skin: Impacto do excesso de peso sobre a fisiologia normal da pele humana in vivo

Obesity is an increasing public health issue, particularly in Portugal, where more than 50% of the population is obese. The pathophysiological consequences of being overweight have a severe cutaneous impact. However, there is still a lack of studies to link these alterations to BMI categories. This present work intends to identify the hydration and biomechanical behaviour changes related to weight augmentation. This transversal study was performed on a convenience sample of 57 volunteers, all females, aged between 20 and 46 (30±8) years old. Volunteers were divided in two groups – group I, with a BMI between 19,9 and 24,9 Kg/m2 and group II, between 25 and 29,9 Kg/m2. One single determination of the superficial hydration, transepidermal water loss and biomechanical behaviour of the skin, was obtained with non-invasive methods. The data showed that weight increase positively influences hydration levels and transepidermal water loss, and negatively influences the skins biomechanical behaviour. Despite the relevance of these results, there is still a need for complementary studies, with a wider number of individuals, in order to better understand its nature and meaning.