skin-care-3.matches: skin care
Effectiveness of modified Complex Physical Therapy for lymphoedema treatment.

Matthews K, Smith J.

Physiotherapy Department, Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute, East Melbourne, VIC, 3002, Australia.

A conservative management technique for lymphoedema, known as Complex Physical Therapy, which comprises massage, compression bandaging, skin care and exercises, appears to be effective in the management of this chronic condition. However, it is extremely time consuming, requiring daily treatments of more than one hour in duration for a period of four weeks. A modified program, which combines all the elements of the treatment technique, was designed. This program requires treatments only twice weekly and uses pressure garments instead of compression bandaging. In this clinical trial on 25 patients, the results of the two treatment programs were found to be similar.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11676665&dopt=Abstract skin, skin care, skin care medicine skin-care-3.matches: skin care
Irritancy of the skin disinfectant n-propanol.

Lubbe J, Ruffieux C, van Melle G, Perrenoud D.

Departement Hospitalo-Universitaire Romand de Dermatologie et Venereologie DHURDV, University Hospital of Geneva, Switzerland.

Hand disinfection with short-chain aliphatic alcohols, so-called "rub-ins" is the method of choice for cross-infection prevention in health care environments, but their irritant potential is not well known. Skin tolerance is a major compliance factor, and a high proportion of health care workers suffer from low-grade irritant contact dermatitis. Therefore, assessment of the irritancy of the skin disinfectant n-propanol 60%, and comparative 100% and 0% solutions, was performed in the setting of experimental low-grade ICD. ICD was induced by overnight patch exposure to H2O, and to 0.3% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), in 12 probands, followed by repeated open exposure to the test substances. Outcome variables were transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and skin surface capacitance. On skin sites pre-irritated by SDS, all n-propanol concentrations (100%, 60%, 0%) increased TEWL. However, a clear divergence appeared between pure n-propanol, and the lower concentrations. In contrast to pure n-propanol, n-propanol 60% and 0% had no significant effect on TEWL on H2O-pre-irritated skin sites. Capacitance of pre-irritated skin sites was increased by exposure to H2O-containing n-propanol solutions (60% and 0%). These results show a clear difference between the irritant potential of n-propanol 100% on one side, and n-propanol 60% and 0% on the other side. The level of pre-existent skin irritation is a pertinent factor in susceptibility to irritation, as the irritant potential of n-propanol 60%, the concentration used in daily practice, and n-propanol 0% (water) became significant only on detergent-irritated skin. Thus, preventive skin care may be a constructive approach in increasing tolerance of modern hand disinfection practices.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11683834&dopt=Abstract skin, skin care, skin care medicine skin-care-3.matches: skin care
Microbiological quality of topical drug formulations: efficacy of antimicrobial preservation against Paecilomyces lilacinus.

Schwarb FP, Gabard B, Bieli E, Schwab S, Surber C.

Institute of Hospital Pharmacy, University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland.

BACKGROUND: Microbiological quality of topical products comprises both, the microbiological purity of the unopened product and the efficacy of the antimicrobial preservation system. OBJECTIVE: Subsequent to an outbreak of invasive Paecilomyces lilacinus mycosis among patients of an isolation ward, probably caused by a contaminated skin care product, the microbiological quality of different skin care products from the market was investigated. METHODS: The different products were investigated for their efficacy of antimicrobial preservation in general and especially against P. lilacinus according to a pharmacopoeial routine method slightly adopted for the purpose of this investigation. RESULTS: The products did partially not comply with the British Pharmacopoeia 1993 test for efficacy of antimicrobial preservation. The antimicrobial preservation systems were less effective against P. lilacinus than against the pharmacopoeial reference germs. The antimicrobial preservation efficacy decreased towards the end of the shelf-life of the product. A decreased P. lilacinus inoculum dose was related to an increased growth of the micro-organisms. CONCLUSION: Topical products are, unless not labelled otherwise, non-sterile preparations and their preservation systems are only tested against pharmacopoeial key micro-organisms. The microbiological behaviour following contamination with other germs remains unknown. Copyright 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11701981&dopt=Abstract skin, skin care, skin care medicine skin-care-3.matches: skin care
[Research on the wisdom between defensins and antiseptics at the skin surface]

[Article in French]

Goffin V, Pierard GE.

Service de Dermatopathologie, Universite de Liege.

The density in the natural bacterial flora is quite controlled at the skin surface. The barrier to their penetration inside the body is a major function of the stratum corneum. Its more or less anfractuous structure, its hydration and acidic pH are important to maintain the microbiological equilibrium. The non-immune innate or inducible natural defenses rely on the production of epithelial peptide antibiotics (defensins, calprotectin) by keratinocytes. The phagocytic and immune defenses are superimposed to such mechanisms. This whole conundrum may be helped by, but it may also suffer from some skin care products and antiseptics.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11702506&dopt=Abstract skin, skin care, skin care medicine skin-care-3.matches: skin care
Washington State hospital survey 2000: gloves, handwashing agents, and moisturizers.

Marino C, Cohen M.

Washington State Department of Labor and Industries Safety and Health Assessment and Research for Prevention Program, Olympia, WA 98504-4330, USA.

Hand dermatitis as a result of frequent exposure to water and cleansing agents is a significant problem in the health care industry. In developing prevention efforts to address this problem, it is necessary to make appropriate recommendations for moisturizers that are compatible with latex gloves and/or handwashing agents that contain chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG). Infection control personnel or employee health nurses in all 106 Washington hospitals were interviewed to determine what types of gloves, handwashing agents, and moisturizers are in current use in the hospital setting. The interview also addressed awareness of skin care issues involving the compatibility of moisturizers with latex gloves and handwashing agents that contain CHG. Latex gloves were available in 90% of the hospitals. Handwashing agents containing CHG were available in 33% of the hospitals. Moisturizers were supplied for the nursing personnel in 61% of the hospitals; most of these moisturizers were compatible with latex gloves and agents containing CHG. Seventy-four percent of the infection control personnel were aware of the compatibility issues of petroleum-based moisturizers with latex gloves, and 48% were aware of the need to avoid the use of anionic moisturizers in combination with CHG handwashing agents.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11743490&dopt=Abstract skin, skin care, skin care medicine skin-care-3.matches: skin care
Microepidermabrasion: an adjunct to medical skin care.

Szachowicz EH.

Department of Otolaryngology, Division of Facial Plastic Surgery, University of Minnesota, Edina, Minnesota 55435, USA.

Microepidermabrasion has become a common modality in aesthetic skin care in doctor's offices as well as in the hands of skin care specialists. The basics of particle beam resurfacing are discussed, with an emphasis on patient selection, technique, and after care. Concerns about current technology are reviewed, and insight into the evolution of new technologies is given.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11781212&dopt=Abstract skin, skin care, skin care medicine skin-care-3.matches: skin care
Synthesis and characterization of a series of novel monoacylated ascorbic acid derivatives, 6-O-acyl-2-O-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acids, as skin antioxidants.

Yamamoto I, Tai A, Fujinami Y, Sasaki K, Okazaki S.

Department of Immunochemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8530, Japan. iyamamoto pheasant.pharm.okayama-u.ac.jp

A series of novel monoacylated vitamin C derivatives were chemically synthesized with a stable ascorbate derivative, 2-O-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acid (AA-2G), and acid anhydrides in pyridine. Their solubility in organic phase, thermal stability, radical scavenging activity, and in vitro skin permeability was evaluated. These monoacylated derivatives were identified as 6-O-acyl-2-O-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acids (6-Acyl-AA-2G) by UV spectra, elemental analyses, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The reactions afforded 6-Acyl-AA-2G in high yields (30-60%). 6-Acyl-AA-2G exhibited satisfactory stability in neutral solution comparable to that of a typical stable derivative, AA-2G, and also showed the radical scavenging activity. The lipid solubility of 6-Acyl-AA-2G was increased with increasing length of their acyl group. Increased skin permeability was superior to those of AA-2G and ascorbic acid (AsA). 6-Acyl-AA-2G that is susceptible to enzymatic hydrolysis by tissue esterase and/or alpha-glucosidase produces AA-2G and AsA, which is in the skin tissues. Thus, these findings indicate that the novel vitamin C derivatives presented here, 6-Acyl-AA-2G, may be effective antioxidants in skin care and medicinal use.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11784150&dopt=Abstract skin, skin care, skin care medicine