Background. Over time, the striae rubra develop into striae alba that appear white, flat, and depressed. It is very important to determine the optimum striae management. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of these therapies, objective measurement tools are necessary. Objective. The aim of this study is to evaluate if ultrasonography and PRIMOS can be used to obtain an objective assessment of stretch marks type and stage; furthermore, we aim to apply these techniques to evaluate the efficacy of a topical treatment. Methods. 20 volunteers were enrolled with a two-month study. A marketed cosmetic product was used as the active over one body area. The controlateral area with stretch marks was treated with a “placebo” formulation without active, as a control. The instrumental evaluation was carried out at the beginning of the trial (baseline values or t 0), after 1 month (t 1), and at the end of the study (t 2). Results. PRIMOS was able to measure and document striae distensae maturation; furthermore, ultrasound imaging permitted to visualize and diagnose the striae. Statistical analysis of skin roughness demonstrated a statistically significant reduction of Rp value only in a treated group. In fact, the Rp value represented a maximum peak height in the area selected. These results demonstrated that after two months of treatment only the striae rubra can be treated successfully. Conclusions. This work demonstrated that the 22MHz ultrasound can diagnose stretch marks; PRIMOS device can detect and measure striae distensae type and maturation. Furthermore, the high-frequency ultrasound and the 3D image device, described in this work, can be successfully employed in order to evaluate the efficacy of a topical treatment.

The aim of the study was an objective in vivo assessment of skin properties after reconstruction with two artificial dermal substitutes, Integra ® and Hyalomatrix ® . Twenty-seven patients underwent reconstruction of 36 skin-loss sites with full-thickness skin graft, split-thickness skin graft, Hyalomatrix ® bioengineered skin substitute and sequential split-thickness skin graft and Integra ® bioengineered skin substitute and sequential split-thickness skin graft. Objective assessments were carried out using three instrumental devices: Multi Probe Adapter System MPA; 22 MHz ultrasound skin scan; and Primos Pico for a three-dimensional (3D) skin scan. The skin parameters under study in our sample were: corneometry, transepidermal water loss, elastometry, colorimetry, skin thickness and 3D skin surface pattern. A skin reconstruction with Hyalomatrix seemed to most closely approach the hydration, transepidermal water loss and skin surface 3D pattern of normal skin. A skin reconstruction with Integra seemed to demonstrate the best skin colour feature and elastic properties. Although no statistically significant differences were observed, the descriptive analysis of the outcomes might suggest a better cell regulation, regenerated extracellular matrix and neoangiogenesis with the use of Hyalomatrix, and the formation of a more elastic regenerated dermis, with overall better physical, mechanical and optical properties, with the use of Integra.

Background In recent years, bacterial cellulose (BC), or biocellulose, a natural polymer synthesized by certain bacteria, has attracted great interest in dermatology and cosmetic applications. Several bioactive ingredients are currently loaded into BC masks. However, only a few studies have reported the effectiveness of such delivery systems. Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect on skin parameters of three biocellulose masks formulated to have different cosmetic effects (anti‐aging, lifting, and cell renewal). In particular, skin moisturizing, skin color, skin viscoelastic properties, skin surface smoothness, wrinkle reduction, dermal homogeneity, and stratum corneum renewal were evaluated. Materials and methods The study involved 69 healthy Caucasian female volunteers between 25 and 64 years, who were divided into three different studies. Biocellulose facial masks were applied using the split‐face method three times a week for 4‐8 weeks depending on the study. Results The results obtained from this work highlight that biocellulose masks are very well tolerated. A significant decrease in skin roughness and wrinkle breadth, and an improvement in dermal homogeneity and firmness, was observed after 2 months of treatment with “anti‐aging” masks. A significant improvement in skin firmness and elasticity was observed after 1 month of treatment with “lifting” masks. Furthermore, a 1‐month treatment with “cell renewal” masks promoted the production of new skin cells through a mild exfoliating action. Conclusions This study highlights that biocellulose masks are effective delivery systems to successfully release into the skin several types of active compounds exerting many beneficial effects.

Bacterial cellulose (BC) has become of great interest in recent years, as a delivery system in several areas of application, including food, drugs, and cosmetics, thanks to its exclusive advantages, such as high biocompatibility, water holding capacity, and good gas permeability. The novel approach of the authors has led to a protocol for checking the quality and safety of bacterial cellulose matrices in the manufacture of cosmetic masks. Two non-destructive techniques, near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR) and multiple light scattering (MLS), were used to verify different parameters affecting the quality of BC sheets, allowing cellulose masks to be checked over time. NIR spectroscopy allowed for discovering changes in the water content, depending on filling/packaging procedures, like flat-folding. Multiple light scattering was used to ascertain the stability of solutions in contact with masks. From a clinical standpoint, the cutaneous tolerability of biocellulose masks, and their effect on skin parameters, were evaluated through some specific "in vivo" tests. Also, a safety evaluation during application was conducted through different studies: a short-term one after single application, and a long-term one upon continued use.Cosmetics 2018, 5, 66 2 of 20 surface area per unit mass is demonstrated. This feature, combined with its highly hydrophilic nature, results in a very high liquid-loading capacity. Its water-holding capacity (WHC) is over 100 times (by mass) higher than plant cellulose, and the WHC is 100-200 times its dry weight [1][2][3].The hydrogen bonds between its fibrillar units stabilize the whole structure, and define many of its mechanical properties. Tensile strength, maximum elongation, and elastic modulus, that characterize BC, depend on its own uniform ultrafine-fiber network structure, and the high planar orientation of the ribbon-like fibers, when compressed into sheets, results in good chemical stability [3].Bacterial cellulose shows great biocompatibility, not only because of its non-toxic effects on biological systems but, also, by eliciting an appropriate host response to ensure satisfactory performance during a specific application. Petersen and Gatenholm have pointed out that biocompatibility of BC for tissue engineering applications can be can be due to structure similarities with extracellular matrix components, such as collagen. In fact, collagen and BC nanofibers have similar diameters (around 100 nm), and are extracellularly assembled from precursor molecules into polymer chains [4].Due to its unique structural properties, BC has become of interest in different fields, such as in the textile industry, high quality paper production, food, pharmaceutical and medical devices, electronics, and acoustics [1,2]. In particular, the biomedical field exploits microbial cellulose as a natural, porous, nontoxic material in tissue-like products for both wound care and the regeneration of damaged or diseased organs. Due to its unique nanostructure and properties, BC is a natural candidate for numerou...

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Profilometry enabled us to observe the systems distribution on a cutaneous texture. In addition, SEM, thanks to its high magnifications and field depth, allowed us to evaluate particles' distribution on the skin texture and the interaction between particles of different compositions and replica silicone.

Bladder pain is a characteristic disorder of interstitial cystitis. Diazepam is well known for its antispasmodic activity in the treatment of muscular hypertonus. The aim of this work was to develop and characterize vaginal pessaries as an intravaginal delivery system of diazepam for the treatment of interstitial cystitis. In particular, the performance of two types of formulations, with and without beta-glucan, was compared. In particular, the preparation of pessaries, according to the modified Pharmacopeia protocol, the setup of the analytical method to determine diazepam, pH evaluation, dissolution profile, and photostability assay were reported. Results showed that the modified protocol permitted obtaining optimal vaginal pessaries, without air bubbles, with good consistency and handling and with good pH profiles. In order to determine the diazepam amount, calibration curves with good correlation coefficients were obtained, by the spectrophotometric method, using placebo pessaries as matrix with the addition of diazepam standard solution. This method was demonstrated sensible and accurate to determine the amount of drug in batches. Dissolution profiles showed a complete diazepam release just after 15 minutes, even if beta-glucan pessaries released drug more gradually. Finally, a possible drug photodegradation after exacerbated UV-visible exposition was evaluated.

Oral mucositis due to chemotherapy and irradiation continues to be an important clinical problem. The effectiveness of hyaluronic acid-based compounds in accelerated healing and helping manage pain in patients with oral mucositis was demonstrated. It was investigated a protective and regenerative effect of hyaluronic acid based gel formulation enriched with NAG (N-acetyl glucosamine) loaded solid lipid nanoparticles against degenerative process of the oral mucosa. Gel formulations were obtained by adding sHA (sodium hyaluronate) into SLN aqueous suspension. Gel performances were evaluated by multi-methodological approach: mucoadhesive and barrier properties evaluation, cell viability. It was shown that gel formulation based sHA, enriched with NAG loaded SLNs, when added as suspension, demonstrated to have a good mucoadhesion profile comparable in terms of tensile work and fracture strength to Carbomer 934 2%. The presence of NAG encapsulated and not in gel formulation enhances also the biocompatibility of the system, demonstrating also to have a proliferative effect. Finally, any barrier property was altered. Finally, results demonstrated that sHA based gel formulation enriched SLNs, demonstrated good mucoadeshion property, comparable to carbopol gel, positive control. The proposed gel formulation enriched with SLNs setting up in this work could be used as innovation strategy to treat oral mucositis.