Daily Cosmetic Research Analysis

BACKGROUND: Squamous cell carcinoma in situ (isSCC) is an early-stage cutaneous malignancy that requires effective treatment to prevent progression to invasive SCC. Aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) is a noninvasive treatment that selectively targets neoplastic cells. This study evaluated the effectiveness, safety, and tolerability of ALA-PDT for the treatment of patients with facial isSCC. METHODS: In this single-center, investigator-initiated, open-label study (NCT06159842), adult patients with biopsy-confirmed facial isSCC received 2 treatments with 20% ALA and blue light exposure, administered 28 days (± 3 days) apart. Lesions were excised for histopathological assessment 8 weeks after the second treatment. The primary endpoint was complete histological clearance at the end of treatment (EOT). Secondary outcomes included clinical clearance and tolerability. RESULTS: A total of 32 patients were enrolled in this study, of whom 30 completed the study. All patients achieved complete histological clearance at EOT. Clinical clearance was observed in all patients prior to excision, with 40% achieving clearance by day 49 and the remainder by day 69. Local skin reactions, including erythema and flaking, were mild and resolved over time. Only 1 patient experienced temporary hyperpigmentation. Pain scores remained low (mean, 2.71/10). Two patients reported adverse events considered unrelated to treatment. CONCLUSIONS: ALA-PDT achieved 100% complete histological and clinical clearance with minimal adverse effects, demonstrating its potential as a safe, effective, and cosmetically favorable alternative to surgical excision for the treatment of facial isSCC. Further studies are needed to assess long-term recurrence rates and broader applications.

Traditional chemical hair dyes are associated with potential health risks, while botanical alternatives are often hampered by poor stability and limited color longevity. In this study, discarded squid ink was used to prepare bionic hair colorants of high performance. By synergizing ultrasound disruption with enzymatic hydrolysis, the crude ink aggregates were transformed into highly uniform squid ink melanin nanoparticles (SIMNPs) with size and zeta potential of ~174 nm and -37.5 mV, respectively. This effectively improved the solubility but reduced the steric limitation of natural melanin. To overcome the weak affinity between melanin and human hair, a biomimetic interface where Fe(III) ions act as supramolecular bridges was further engineered to stably bind the SIMNPs to hair keratin. Under optimized conditions (pH 8.0, 45 °C, and 80 min), the dyed hair achieved a natural deep black with a total color difference (ΔE*) of 68.79 ± 0.29, which was maintained at 63.19 ± 0.27 even after 13 consecutive water washing cycles. Unlike destructive oxidative dyes, this SIMNP dyeing system assisted by coordination-driven assembly preserved the native α-helical architecture and disulfide bond networks of hair keratin. Furthermore, the deposited SIMNP layer effectively protected hair fibers from ultraviolet (UV) damage due to its powerful UV-shielding capacity. Crucially, in vitro and in vivo evaluations confirmed the exceptional biosafety of this formulation, demonstrating robust cellular tolerance and absence of murine skin irritation. The work demonstrates a green, low-damage paradigm for the development of bio-based hair colorants of high performance and presents a promising pathway for the high-value utilization of marine by-products.

Facial LED masks for aesthetic purposes are widely available online, allowing unrestricted application times without professional supervision. This study analyzed four masks with different LED colors to evaluate the information provided by the manufacturers and to measure their spectral irradiance. Documentation lacked data on emitted energy across wavelength ranges, its absorption by the skin, and potential health consequences of improper use. Measurements revealed pronounced variability in irradiance, with considerable differences in peak positions and spectral distribution for some LED colors, such as yellow or violet. In some cases, the total irradiances were higher than that from sunlight. Despite similar recommended session durations, the differences in irradiances result in markedly different physical doses. Current evidence regarding the biological effects of visible light absorption through the skin at different doses-and its medium- and long-term implications-remains limited. These findings highlight the need for regulatory measures to define energy limits for such masks and for consumer guidance on potential health risks associated with indiscriminate exposure to visible light.