skin-care-3.matches: skin care
Gemini Surfactants.

Menger FM, Keiper JS.

Department of Chemistry Emory University Atlanta, GA 30322 (USA).

How easy it is to dismiss the humdrum surfactant! After all, its structure is unglamorous by present-day norms. And the surfactant has been entrenched in so many areas of commerce for so many decades that its chemistry might seem old and tired. The purpose of this review is to persuade the reader otherwise, all the while focusing on a remarkable new surfactant, the gemini. Geminis, the common name for "bis-surfactants", can self-assemble at concentrations almost a hundredfold lower than for corresponding conventional surfactants. Surface activity can be improved a thousandfold. Geminis have already shown promise in skin care, antibacterial regimens, construction of high-porosity materials, analytical separations, and solubilization processes. Scores of patents dealing with geminis have appeared in the last few years. Indeed, geminis might well turn out, in the opinion of some, to be more useful to "l'homme de la rue" than crown ethers or fullerenes. This review delves into such topics as synthesis, critical micellization concentration, aggregate size and shape, gels, vesicles, and films. The information comes from scientists all over the world; one might say that gemini research is bathed in a continuous sunlight or summer. No prior knowledge of colloid chemistry is presupposed in this article.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10940980&dopt=Abstract skin, skin care, skin care medicine skin-care-1.matches: skin care
Facial variations in sensory responses.

Marriott M, Whittle E, Basketter DA.

Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre, Unilever Colworth Laboratory, Sharnbrook, Bedford, MK44 1LQ, UK.

Subjective effects such as stinging, itching and burning commonly occur in the absence of any visible irritation and give rise to discomfort, which may be enough to deter an individual from using even the most effective of skin care products. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity of different anatomical regions of the face to determine which region displayed the most intense stinging response to the application of lactic acid. The effect of occlusion on the level of response was also investigated. 45 volunteers were treated with 10% lactic acid on the nasolabial fold, forehead, chin and cheek, occluded and unoccluded for 8 min. Sensory reactions were recorded at 2.5, 5 and 8 min. The response levels on the occluded sites were always significantly lower than on the unoccluded sites, despite the dose per unit area being comparable. Females showed a trend towards being more sensitive to the subjective effects elicited by lactic acid than males, but these results were not conclusive. Interestingly, there was not a complete correlation between individuals who reacted on the nasolabial fold and the other sites, particularly the forehead. A positive stinging response on the nasolabial fold may not necessarily predict subjective responses to a product when used on other areas of the face.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=14996043&dopt=Abstract skin, skin care, skin care medicine skin-care-3.matches: skin care
Skin irritation from air-oxidized ethoxylated surfactants.

Bodin A, Fischer T, Bergh M, Nilsson JL, Karlberg AT.

Occupational Dermatology, National Institute for Working Life, Stockholm, Sweden.

Surfactants are known to be skin irritants, but change in their irritant potential due to change in composition during handling and storage has not previously been investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of oxidation products on the irritant potential of a non-ionic ethoxylated alcohol, C12E5. Pure and oxidized C12E5 were tested, using 2 different patch test procedures; 1 with a single 24 h exposure and 1 with repeated exposures. 18 healthy volunteers participated in each of these studies. Evaluations were made by visual scoring and by measurement of transepidermal water loss and skin blood flow. In the single exposure study, no significant difference in skin irritation was observed between pure C12E5 and a sample of oxidized C12E5 at the concentrations tested (1, 3, 9 and 27%). After repeated exposures, however, the oxidized C12E5 was significantly more irritant than pure C12E5 at the concentrations 9% and 27% (p<0.05). Non-ionic ethoxylated surfactants are known for their weak skin irritant effect and are, due to this, often included in products with prolonged contact with the skin, i.e., skin care products. An increased irritant potential after oxidation might be of importance due to the conditions of use.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10945746&dopt=Abstract skin, skin care, skin care medicine skin-care-3.matches: skin care
Initial experiences with telerehabilitation and contingency management programs for the prevention and management of pressure ulceration in patients with spinal cord injuries.

Mathewson C, Adkins VK, Jones ML.

Shepherd Center, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Two alternative treatment methods for preventive interventions for pressure ulcers, tele-rehabilitation and contingency management, are discussed. Telerehabilitation uses a videophone that transmits both audio and still images over a telephone line. Using this technology, the WOC nurse can interview a patient who cannot be present at a clinic because of physical condition or distance. Telerehabilitation allows the nurse to assess a patient's pressure ulcer, consult with appropriate caregivers, and make recommendations for treatment. Contingency management procedures are designed for patients with high rates of noncompliance in skin care. The patients are seen as outpatients and are compensated systematically for appropriate skin care (ie, the lack of pressure ulcers). Examples of each of these patient interventions is described, discussed, and contrasted.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10999965&dopt=Abstract skin, skin care, skin care medicine skin-care-3.matches: skin care
Skin care and the topical treatment of aging skin.

Friedland JA, Buchel EW.

Department of Plastic Surgery, Mayo Medical School, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA.

The desire to maintain or regain a youthful appearance is the main motivation of patients who present themselves to the aesthetic plastic surgeon's office. It has become imperative for the plastic surgeon to know and understand the causes of aging and skin damage and to provide ancillary nonsurgical treatments through which their patients can achieve rejuvenation.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11039885&dopt=Abstract skin, skin care, skin care medicine skin-care-3.matches: skin care
Meeting patients' skin care needs: harnessing nursing expertise at an international level.

Ersser SJ, Penzer R.

International Skin Care Nursing Working Group, School of Nursing & Midwifery, University of Southampton, UK. sje1 soton.ac.uk

Skin disease is highly prevalent, particularly in the developing world. This can result in skin failure which in turn may have a major social and economic impact on individuals and communities (Finlay & Ryan 1996). The significant lack of dermatologists worldwide, most of whom are based in hospitals, means that expertise in skin care cannot always be delivered to those who need it. This paper advances the argument that a care delivery model is needed which provides skin care focused at a primary care level throughout the nursing service, drawing on specialists who are often based in the secondary health care facilities. This can only be achieved through adopting a strategic approach which identifies the training needs of such professionals, harnesses the appropriate expertise, shares good practice, and operates in close conjunction with dermatologists. This paper outlines how this vision can be put into operation, by outlining the strategic international development work being undertaken by nurses and the efforts to promote inter-professional collaboration.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11043486&dopt=Abstract skin, skin care, skin care medicine skin-care-3.matches: skin care
Lymphedema.

Rockson SG.

Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.

Aggressively applied decongestive measures (eg, manual lymphatic drainage, low-stretch bandaging, exercise, skin care, application of compressive elastic garments) are the mainstay of lymphatic therapy. Therapeutic regimens should differentiate between the goals of acute volume reduction and the maintenance of limb volume. Elastic garments should not be employed until maximal volume reduction has been attained through decongestive lymphatic techniques. It is my opinion that use of intermittent pneumatic compression devices can play an important adjunctive role to decongestive lymphatic therapy but should not be substituted for these techniques. At this time, I am not inclined to use pharmacologic therapy in these patients but anxiously await the results of studies that might demonstrate efficacy for molecular approaches. Surgical intervention is reserved for a small number of well-selected patients. Liposuction for volume reduction appears to be a very promising approach for specific patients.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11096529&dopt=Abstract skin, skin care, skin care medicine