Daily Cosmetic Research Analysis

Skin firmness and elasticity are largely determined by the dermal extracellular matrix, particularly the elastin fiber network. Age-related degradation of elastin alters its architecture, contributing to diminished skin resilience. However, the quantitative relationship between elastin fiber geometry and macroscopic skin firmness remains incompletely understood. In this study, we developed a novel computational framework integrating realistic 3D elastin fiber geometries-extracted from confocal microscopy images of human abdominal skin samples (Caucasian females, aged 38-78 years)-into a finite element (FE) model of the dermal matrix. The elastin networks were explicitly represented as beam elements within the FE domain. Unconfined compression simulations were conducted to evaluate skin's elastic resistance force and correlate it with quantified geometric parameters of the elastin networks. The results revealed a significant age-dependent decline in skin firmness, strongly associated with reductions in fiber diameter, fiber count, volume fraction, network connectivity (as indicated by increased fragmentation and reduced maximum cluster size), and the proportion of vertically oriented fibers. Among these, fiber count and maximum cluster size were the most important predictors of skin firmness. This study provides quantitative, mechanistic insights into how specific architectural alterations in elastin fibers directly impact the mechanical properties of aging skin. These findings emphasize the critical role of elastin network integrity and structural organization in maintaining skin function and offer a compelling rationale for therapeutic or cosmetic strategies aimed at preserving or restoring the elastin framework to maintain skin firmness.

A theoretical model for understanding body dysmorphic disorder is the processing of the self as an aesthetic object (SAO), which includes the experience of a negative imagery in relation to how one looks and the experience of shame. Our aim was to psychometrically evaluate a new questionnaire, the SAO, to explore this concept. In Study 1, 80 participants with BDD and 102 with body dissatisfaction completed the SAO, the Appearance Anxiety Inventory (AAI), and the Cosmetic Procedures Screening (COPS) questionnaires. Exploratory factor analyses (EFA) were conducted, and convergent validity was assessed through correlation with the AAI and COPS. In Study 2, a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of the SAO was conducted on another clinical sample (N = 77) of participants with BDD who completed questionnaires prior to attending assessment and treatment at a specialist outpatient clinic. Convergent validity and internal consistency were re-assessed. EFA in the BDD group in Study 1 suggested a single factor structure on the basis of 11 of the original 12 items. CFA of a one-factor structure of the 11-item SAO found a reasonable fit, with some unacceptable fit indices. Convergent validity was demonstrated through moderate and significant correlation of the SAO with the AAI and the COPS. Internal consistency of the SAO was good (Cronbach's alpha range: .89-.94). In conclusion, we explored the processing of the self as an aesthetic object through a new questionnaire, and findings support its reliability and validity with a single factor. Several treatment implications are discussed.

PURPOSE: To evaluate patients' headache-related quality of life and dry eyes before and after dermatochalasis surgery of the upper eyelid. METHODS: This prospective clinical trial included 29 patients (58 eyes) who underwent dermatochalasis surgery of the upper eyelid at Sahlgrenska University Hospital. The inclusion criteria were bilateral dermatochalasis of the upper eyelid and preoperative headache. Patients were interviewed using the Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) (Version 1.1) and Dry Eye Questionnaire (DEQ-5) to assess headache impact and dry eyes. Pre- and postoperative examinations also included visual acuity, visual field, Schirmer's test, Break-Up Time (BUT), fluorescein staining, and margin reflex distance (MRD) measurements. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients (56 eyes) completed the study protocol. The study showed that MRD improved significantly (p < 0.001). Visual acuity (logMAR) improved significantly in both the right eye (p = 0.003) and the left eye (p = 0.017). HIT-6 and DEQ-5 scores also showed significant improvements (p < 0.001). No statistically significant differences were observed in the visual field index (VFI) or pattern standard deviation (PSD). The upper visual field improved significantly in the right eye (p = 0.02) but not in the left (p = 0.39). The Schirmer test showed significant improvement in the left eye (p = 0.04). However, no statistically significant changes were observed in BUT or fluorescein staining. CONCLUSION: Dermatochalasis surgery of the upper eyelid improved headache-related quality of life; however, the effect on dryness of eyes was more complex. DEQ-5 improved, but that result could not be confirmed in more objective examinations. No deterioration of dryness of the eyes could be found despite a larger palpebral fissure. The surgery provides both functional and cosmetic benefits.