Striae distensae (SD) are linear dermal scars that arise from progressive stretching or tearing of the dermal layer. This study tests the safety and efficacy of a topical formulation of silicone-based scar cream containing selective synthetic recombinant human growth factors, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin C to improve overall appearance and texture of SD. Twenty-two subjects with SD alba were recruited and randomized to apply the topical formula to half of their SD laterally twice a day for 1 month. Patient surveys were obtained at 1 month for overall appearance, texture, and tolerability. Three-dimensional imaging was obtained at baseline and at 1 month and submitted to independent evaluators for grading on overall appearance. Subjects reported improved texture and appearance in 86.4% of SD. Subjects reported 100% of untreated SD to have no change in overall appearance or texture. 90.9% of subjects reported no tolerability issues. 9.1% of the treated group reported mild issues such as slight itching or redness the first day of application, which subsided in 2 days for all patients. Independent evaluators indicated improvement in 72.7% of SD in comparison to improvement in 36.3% of untreated SD. This study demonstrates that the investigated topical formulation is safe and effective to use for SD.Five-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA)-photodynamic therapy combined with infrared radiation is an effective and safe therapy for facial acne. Although there are various available agents for treating acne, therapies for resistant or severe strains have been limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the inhibitory efficacy of ALACELL synthesized by combining 5-ALA with Y-G-G-F-L peptide against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, and Yersinia enterocolitica, as well as Cutibacterium acnes. Furthermore, other effects of ALACELL on human skin cells, melanin formation, intracellular tyrosinase activity, and Ultra Violet B (UVB)-irradiated cell death were measured by treatment of ALACELL in vitro. ALACELL particularly showed a growth inhibitory effect on C. acnes and no inhibitory effect on the four bacteria strains. ALACELL reduced melanin formation and intracellular tyrosinase activity by α-melanin cell-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) in B16F10 cells, with no cytotoxicity. ALACELL also improved cell viability in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells. The results of the experiment show that ALACELL exhibits more efficacy than 5-ALA against antimicrobial activity, melanin formation, intracellular tyrosinase activity, and UVB-irradiated cell death. Therefore, ALACELL is recommended as a candidate for clinical application in the treatment of acne and skin aging and will be further investigated to study the mode of action and in actual situations.The aim of the study was to investigate the potential of a fucoxanthin concentrate prepared from Phaeodactylum tricornutum as a wrinkle care cosmetic agent. The concentrate (up to 25 µg/ml) did not affect the proliferation of human fibroblasts. In addition, the concentrate significantly increased procollagen synthesis in the fibroblasts at 12.5 and 25 µg/ml; however, it significantly decreased the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-2, and MMP-9 at 25 µg/ml. In a follow-up study, a wrinkle care cream containing 0.03% of fucoxanthin concentrate was prepared and tested in women (aged 35-50 years, n = 21) for 8 weeks. The cream was applied twice daily. check details Safety assessment of the cream was carried out visually. In addition, interviews were conducted to investigate if adverse events such as erythema, edema, scaling, itching, stinging, burning, tightness, or prickling had occurred. No symptoms that threaten skin safety were reported. Evaluation of wrinkles around the eyes using the replica method showed a statistically significant decrease in wrinkles at week 8. Moreover, skin moisture and elasticity increased significantly from week 4. These results suggest that the fucoxanthin concentrate has no adverse effects on the skin and can be used as an active ingredient in wrinkle care cosmetics.Luxury skin care products have emotional value because of their texture and accompanying product information. The influence of these factors appears to be linked. Here, we investigated the influence of information on brain activity during hand massages with skin care creams in healthy female volunteers. In the first session, participants received hand massages using two skin care creams (luxury and basic). In the second session, participants were shown information which indicated whether each cream was a luxury or basic product during the massage. In the third session, they received a hand massage as per the first session. Functional magnetic resonance imaging data were recorded during massages. Differential activity in the ventral striatum (VS), the caudate nucleus, and the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (DMPFC) was significantly higher in the third session than in the first session. Moreover, differential activity in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) was positively correlated with differential activity in both the VS and the DMPFC in the third session. These results suggest that the neural substrate of the effects is based on both the dopamine reward system and the self-other distinction system involved in social dominance and that the right DLPFC plays a critical role in the association between these systems.This research aimed to evaluate stability and release characteristics of nicotinamide-loaded microemulsions (MEs). Four MEs were prepared with Tween 80 as surfactant, Span 80 as cosurfactant, either virgin coconut oil or olive oil as oil phase, water as aqueous phase, and nicotinamide as an active ingredient. They were composed of 3% w/w nicotinamide and designated as MEC1-N, MEC2-N, MEO1-N, and MEO2-N. All samples were kept in clear glass containers at 4°C, room temperature (RT, 28° ± 2°C), and 45°C for 3 months. Afterward, they were observed for physical changes and analyzed for remaining nicotinamide by a validated high-performance liquid chromatography technique. MEC1-N and MEO1-N were compared for nicotinamide released through dialysis membrane using modified Franz diffusion cells. It was found that all samples were clear liquid and water-in-oil type. Phase separation was found in MEO2-N at all storage conditions. Discoloration was observed in all samples after being kept at 45°C for 3 months. MEC1-N, MEC2-N, and MEO1-N were both physically and chemically stable after being kept at 4°C and RT for 3 months.