Introduction Ascorbic acid (AA) is a powerful antioxidant capable of acting significantly both in the prevention and treatment of the skin aging process. One way to assess the in vivo efficacy of anti‐aging treatments is by using the high‐frequency ultrasound (HFUS) skin image analysis technique, a non‐invasive approach that allows for a new level of evaluating the effectiveness of dermatological and cosmetic products. The aim of the present study was to assess the performance of a topical emulsion of liquid crystalline structures containing AA using the 50 MHz HFUS skin image analysis method. Methods Twenty‐five healthy female participants between 35 and 60 years were included, all of whom randomly applied a placebo formulation and an AA‐containing formulation to each forearm, once a day, for 30 days. HFUS measurements were performed before using the products (T0), 2 h later (T2h), and after 30 days of use (T30d). The analyzed parameters included total skin, dermal, and epidermal echogenicity; variation and mean thickness of total skin, the epidermis and dermis; and surface roughness. Statistical analyses were performed using the Friedman test, followed by Dunn's test for comparisons of multiple means (α = 0.05). Results A significant increase in total skin and dermal echogenicity was observed after topical AA application. Conclusion Our findings suggest that collagen synthesis significantly increased after topical therapy with AA, which was responsible for the increment in dermal echogenicity. This study showed, through the HFUS technique, that the topical use of AA promoted dermal redensification after 30 days of application.

Botulinum toxin type A comes from a protein complex of the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, used in pharmacology and in aesthetic treatments to reduce facial expression lines. The objective of the study was to understand the pharmacological benefits and risks of using botulinum toxin Type A for aesthetic purposes. For this, the historical aspects, taxonomy, and physiology of Clostridium botulinum were presented; and the use of botulinum toxin type A was discussed in aesthetic procedures, its advantages, and disadvantages. The study methodology was a literature review of qualitative descriptive research, of works published between 2002 and 2019, in the databases VHL, BIREME, SCIELO, CNPQ and college websites. Among the results, botulinum toxin type A in aesthetic facial treatments, botulinum toxin reduces the wrinkles of the upper third of the face, such as raising eyebrows, frontal and cervical lines, among others; complications are pain, erythema and ecchymosis, the problems occur mainly in treatments such as pharmacology, due to high dosages in the body, or when associated with any health problem or medication. It is concluded that the prevention of complications with botulinum toxin type A is the anamnesis procedure before starting the facial treatment, so that the professional can raise problems of contraindication of this substance.