skin-care-4.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-4.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-4.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-4.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 skin-care-4.matches: skin care
Facial resurfacing in patients with Fitzpatrick skin type IV.

Sriprachya-anunt S, Marchell NL, Fitzpatrick RE, Goldman MP, Rostan EF.

Pornkasem Skin and Laser Center, Bangkok, Thailand.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Though post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is probably the most common complication of laser resurfacing and appears to correlate directly with the intensity of the patient's natural pigmentation, there is very little data that specifically addresses the risks of dyspigmentation in more darkly pigmented patients (Fitzpatrick skin types IV and above). The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term dyspigmentation of patients with skin type IV having radial laser resurfacing. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of the clinical efficacy, incidence of dyspigmentation and other adverse effects, as well as the pre/post-operative protocol of 22 patients with Fitzpatrick skin type IV who were a minimum of 1 year post-operative following facial laser resurfacing. RESULTS: The average patient achieved greater than 50% improvement, indicating adequate treatment being delivered. PIH occurred in 68% of patients, starting 1 month post-operative and lasting 3.8 months. There was no correlation to pre-treatment or type of laser used as far as incidence of PIH. True hypopigmentation was not seen in this group of 22 patients. CONCLUSIONS: PIH is the most common complication of facial resurfacing in patients with skin type IV. It is not preventable by choice of laser or skin care regimen pre-operative, but appears to respond to appropriate treatment once it has developed. Copyright 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11870786&dopt=Abstract skin, skin care, skin care medicine skin-care-5.matches: skin care
Characteristics of nursing homes that affect resident outcomes.

Spector WD, Takada HA.

Agency for Health Care Policy and Research.

Although there has been increased interest in using outcomes as measures of quality, few studies have shown a link between structure or process and outcomes. In this analysis, based on approximately 2,500 residents in 80 nursing homes in Rhode Island, multivariate models estimate which aspects of care are associated with resident outcomes after controlling for resident characteristics. Outcomes, measured over a 6-month period included death, functional decline, and functional improvement. Results suggest that higher staff levels and lower RN turnover were related to functional improvement. Facilities with high catheter use, low rates of skin care, and low participation in organized activities were associated with negative outcomes. Facilities with few private-pay residents were also associated with negative outcomes. Receipt of a serious federal citation was associated with improved outcomes. For-profit facilities appeared to be more efficient in use of resources.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10115033&dopt=Abstract skin, skin care, skin care medicine skin-care-5.matches: skin care
Specialty beds and wound care products: a new cost-saving role.

Patrick MM.

Baptist Health System, Birmingham, AL.

Recent technological advances in specialty beds and other products used in preventing and treating skin breakdown have left most health care professionals quite puzzled as to which surface or product to use for a given clinical situation. As a result, nurse consultants employed by the product vendors are often relied on as the primary source for "expert" advice on patient-specific product selection. Envisioning the potential for inappropriate utilization of these expensive products resulting from this reliance on the vendors, the Baptist Health System (BHS) chose to create their own internal "expert" for coordinating wound and skin care. Based on the BHS experience, the development of such a role is highly recommended for other multifacility health care systems dedicated to providing the highest-quality, most cost-effective patient care possible.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10137782&dopt=Abstract skin, skin care, skin care medicine