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Agata Lebiedowska, Magdalena Hartman-Petrycka, Anna Stolecka-Warzecha, Wiktoria Odrzywo&lstrok;ek, Ma&lstrok;gorzata Bo&zdot;ek, S&lstrok;awomir Wilczy&nacute;ski Department of Basic Biomedical Science, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Sosnowiec, PolandCorrespondence: Agata Lebiedowska, Department of Basic Biomedical Science, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Kasztanowa Street 3, Sosnowiec, 41-200, Poland, Tel +48 269 98 30, Email alebiedowska@sum.edu.plPurpose: This pilot study aims to explore how skin parameters and body composition impact the tolerance to EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation) stimuli in women, particularly focusing on pain tolerance in response to varying intensities of EMS. This research seeks to understand what is essential for optimizing EMS applications.Patients and Methods: The study involved 16 females (age 35.9 ± 12.3). Body composition and anthropometric measurements were taken, including BMI (Body Mass Index), weight percentage, WHtR (Waist to Height Ratio), WHR (Waist-Hip Ratio), and Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis. High-frequency ultrasound scans were conducted to assess skin parameters. The EMS stimulation was performed using an Evolvex (InMode, Israel), with applicators placed around the abdomen and intensity adjusted according to patient tolerance, recorded at the pain threshold.Results: The maximum tolerated EMS stimulus varied from 12V to 55V, with a median of 33V. Body weight showed a strong positive correlation (R=0.76, p< 0.001) and hip circumference (R=0.66, p< 0.001) with EMS intensity. Body fat mass (R=0.61, p=0.012) and visceral fat area (R=0.55, p=0.029) were positively correlated with EMS intensity. However, no significant correlations were observed between EMS tolerance and muscle tissue parameters or total body water content. The study also found that skin structure parameters showed no significant impact on EMS tolerance.Conclusion: The study reveals that women’s tolerance to EMS stimuli is influenced by various factors. Anthropometric parameters like hip circumference, body weight, skinfold, and BMI are strongly correlated with EMS tolerance. Body composition factors, particularly adipose tissue characteristics such as body fat mass and percentage, also significantly impact EMS intensity requirements, with no notable correlation to muscle tissue or water content. However, variations in skin structure, including thickness and density, do not significantly affect EMS tolerance. These insights are crucial for tailoring personalized EMS therapy to enhance effectiveness and comfort in both aesthetic and rehabilitative applications.Keywords: EMS, body composition, BIA, high-frequency ultrasound

Wiktoria Odrzywo&lstrok;ek,1 Anna Deda,2 Julita Zdrada,1 S&lstrok;awomir Wilczy&nacute;ski,1 Barbara B&lstrok;o&nacute;ska-Fajfrowska,1 Aleksandra Lipka-Trawi&nacute;ska1 1Department of Basic Biomedical Science, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland; 2Department of Cosmetology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, PolandCorrespondence: Wiktoria Odrzywo&lstrok;ek, Department of Basic Biomedical Science, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, 41-200 Sosnowiec, ul. Kasztanowa 3, Katowice, Poland, Tel +32269 98 30, Email wiktoria.odrzywolek@wp.plPurpose: Acne vulgaris is a chronic, inflammatory disease accompanied by lesions affecting the structure of the skin. Chemical peels are one of the methods of reducing acne vulgaris. There is still a lack of quantitative methods of assessing impact of cosmetic procedure on the skin. Skin condition depends on skin texture characterization; therefore, the analysis that provides data about the textures can be helpful in assessing the effectiveness of cosmetic treatments.Patients and Methods: The study involved 24 volunteers with acne lesions. Each participant underwent 4 treatments using chemical peels at two-week intervals. Before, during and after procedure clinical photography were made. To assess effectiveness of chemical peeling in acne lesion reduction, we were used gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) analysis. Qualitative assessment of acne severity was made by 12 experts in dermatology.Results: After a series of treatments, the GLCM contrast value decreased in each area of the face, and the GLCM homogeneity value increased, which means that the number of acne lesions was reduced. Expert assessment according to the IGA scale confirms the effectiveness of therapy with both salicylic and glycolic acid and pyruvic acid.Conclusion: The results of this study prove that GLCM analysis is a useful tool for assessing the effectiveness of chemical peel treatments. It can also be used for quantitative assessment of skin texture.Keywords: gray-level co-occurrence matrix, acne, chemical peelings, acne treatment, skin texture

Background: The techniques of choice used in the treatment of extensive vascular lesions of the face are methods based on high-energy light sources, such as lasers and IPL (intense pulsed light). The techniques commonly employed to detect blood vessel abnormalities in skin primarily rely on semi-quantitative or qualitative scales. Methods: The study was conducted on a group of 38 volunteers; a series of three treatments was performed using an IPL source (Lumecca, Inmode, Israel). The vessels' response to the high-energy light was verified using the following quantitative methods: mexametric measurements, hyperspectral imaging, and directional reflectance measurements. Results: In the mexameter measurement, statistically non-significant differences were obtained in the hemoglobin content in the skin condition prior to and following multiple intense pulsed light sessions. Studies performed using a hyperspectral camera showed that at a wavelength of 580 nm, the increase in skin reflectance after the treatment was statistically significant. Total directional reflectance measurements showed that at wavelengths of 400-540 nm and 480-600 nm, following the IPL treatment, the skin reflectance increased statistically significantly. Implementing three consecutive intense pulsed light procedures appears adequate to obtain a clinically satisfactory reduction in vascular changes in the facial skin. Mexametric measurements do not enable the assessment of the reaction of blood vessels to IPL. Conclusions: Hyperspectral imaging is an effective method for the quantitative assessment of skin vascular lesions. The best results in the assessment of vascular lesions using hyperspectral imaging are obtained at wavelengths of 420 nm and 580 nm. The hemispheric directional reflectance method allows for a quick, accurate, and repeatable assessment of vascular skin changes.

Background: Microcirculation is the flow of blood through the smallest vessels in the circulatory system. Capillaries respond to various pathologies much earlier than arteries and veins, the changes which indicate that the disease is already developing. Careful monitoring of the functioning of the capillary system often allows the detection of in vivo disorders at an early stage., Aims: The aim of the study was to evaluate the microcirculation within acne lesions. A noninvasive method of semi-quantitative blood perfusion measurement based on laser speckle contrast analysis (LASCA) and a quantitative assessment of the acne severity using the hyperspectral imaging method supported by image analysis and processing methods were used., Patients/method: The acne lesion perfusion was compared to the healthy skin perfusion of the control group. The reflectance in the range from 400 to 1000 nm was also compared for acne lesions and healthy skin. A dedicated version of the algorithm based on the gray-level co-occurrence matrix was used to compare differences between acne lesions and healthy skin., Results: Blood perfusion in acne lesions is on average 117% higher than in healthy skin. The reflectance of acne lesions was lower in the range of 400-600 nm compared to the healthy skin. A statistically significant decrease in the reflectance of acne lesions was demonstrated for wavelengths: 434, 549, and 588 nm., Conclusions: Increased blood perfusion in acne lesions compared to healthy skin suggests increased chemotaxis of inflammatory cells and wound healing. Decrease points in skin reflectance resemble the absorption peaks for hemoglobin and coproporphyrin III produced by Cutibacterium acnes. Thus, the proposed methods may serve not only for the early detection of acne lesions, before they manifest themselves clinically for the naked eye, but may also be a tool for quantifying the effectiveness of acne treatment., (© 2023 The Authors. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background: The mechanism of intense pulsed light action on the skin is based on selective photothermolysis. The light delivered to the tissue is scattered and absorbed by chromophores that absorb a beam of radiation of a specific length. The skin reflectance changes depending on the physiological state of the tissue, as shown by the hyperspectral camera. The aim of the study was to assess the hyperspectral reflectance of acne skin before and after intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy and to compare it with the reflectance of healthy skin., Materials and Methods: The study involved 27 volunteers with diagnosed moderate acne. The control group consisted of 20 people without acne lesions. All acne volunteers underwent a series of four treatments using IPL at weekly intervals. The volunteers with acne lesions were photographed before the series of treatments and a week after the 4th treatment., Results: Acne skin shows lower reflectance than healthy skin. Acne skin after IPL therapy is characterized by a higher reflectance compared to acne skin before the therapy and resembles the reflectance of the skin of the control group. A statistically significant difference was found between the acne skin before the treatments and the skin of the control group., Conclusions: The effect of IPL therapy on acne skin is the increase of its reflectance by reducing the number of chromophores, which brings it closer to the reflectance value of healthy skin. Hyperspectral imaging allows for: the evaluation of the treated skin at each stage, a precise selection of the light wavelength depending on the problem, and therefore, for optimizing the number of irradiations and increasing the safety of the therapy., (© 2023 The Authors. Skin Research and Technology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Introduction: Patient compliance with care recommendations is closely related to the role of cosmetics in delaying or preventing the side effects of medications used to treat acne., Methods: A total of 33 volunteers with symptoms of acne vulgaris were qualified for the study. The skin parameters were measured before the experiment, after the 4 and at the 8 weeks of use. The measurements were subject to moisturizing the skin and secretion of sebum and skin color. A skin acoustic parameters using high-frequency ultrasound (33 MHz) was also performed. The recorded images were used to determine the epidermal entrance echo thickness and echo density of dermis., Results: The results show a change in the value of skin parameters during the 8-week application of a specific skin care procedure. The secretion of sebum did not change significantly, there was a decrease in hydration, and the level of melanin and hemoglobin remained at the same level. The thickness of the epidermis entrance echo in the ultrasound image was thinned., Conclusion: For many mild/moderate acne patients, cosmetics proven to be effective and well tested in clinical trials can offer a real benefit in reducing both inflammation, sebum production, melanin, and irritation, but should also be moisturizing., (© 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

The synergy of cosmetic acids, with their keratolytic and antibacterial properties, with the mechanical exfoliation of the epidermis brings faster and better treatment results. The aim of the study was to compare the effects of using only pyruvic acid and the synergy of microdermabrasion and chemical exfoliation. In total, 14 women diagnosed with acne took part in the study. Two areas were marked on the participants' faces: the right side (microdermabrasion treatment and a preparation containing pyruvic acid 40%) and the left side (preparation containing pyruvic acid 40%) without mechanical exfoliation. A series of four treatments was performed at 2-week intervals. Skin parameters such as stratum corneum hydration and sebum secretion were measured. Before the treatments, all patients had moderate acne according to GAGS (Min: 19, Max: 22, Md: 20), and after the treatments, it decreased to mild acne according to GAGS (Min: 13, Max: 17, Md: 140). On the right side of the face, there was a statistically significant reduction in sebum secretion in all the examined areas of the face and increase in the hydration of the stratum corneum. On the left side of the face, the differences were also observed in the decrease of sebum value and increase of hydration level; however, they were smaller than on the right side. The use of microdermabrasion in combination with pyruvic acid led to better results in the case of increased hydration and reduction of sebum secretion than using only pyruvic acid treatment.

Background: In the treatment of acne, skin parameters such as sebum secretion, hydration, and the content of hemoglobin and melanin are very important. The values of these parameters at the appropriate level show the maintenance of good functionality of the epidermal barrier and the impact of a given treatment procedure on the condition and physiology of the epidermis., Aims: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of anti-acne therapy with IPL by volunteers, as well as to quantify parameters such as sebum secretion, hydration level, and the content of melanin and hemoglobin in the skin., Patients/methods: The study involved 27 volunteers with moderate acne. A series of 4 treatments was performed with intense pulse light at weekly intervals. The secretion of sebum, skin hydration, and the content of melanin and hemoglobin was measured., Results: A decrease in sebum secretion in the forehead area after light treatments was observed, the level of hydration remained the same in all areas examined, as did the levels of melanin and hemoglobin. The volunteers were asked about the satisfaction with the effects of the treatment: 100% answered that they were satisfied with the effects of the treatment to a degree of 7.8 ± 1.5., Conclusions: During anti-acne therapy, therapists usually focus only on reducing acne lesions, forgetting that proper care has a large impact on the success of dermatological therapies. It is very important to know the influence of treatment procedures on the parameters of the skin in order to choose the right care for the best treatment effect., (© 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background: About 90% of women worldwide use nail care products, including manicure ones. A manicure procedure results in nail damage, therefore it is necessary to search for new, objective methods of assessing the impact of the procedures and products applied within the nail plate. In this study, an attempt was made to quantify the impact of manicure procedures on the nail plate condition., Materials and Methods: Twenty thumb nail plates were examined. Before the manicure procedures, alginate casts were prepared for each of the subjects. The analysis of the three-dimensional (3D) nail surface structure included the assessment of the nail sections and the assessment of differences in the nail structure after superposition of 3D images of the nail plates before and after the manicure procedures., Results: The obtained results show that the nail plate structure changed to a similar extent in each measured section after the manicure procedure. A change in the height of the nails is not a desirable phenomenon as it suggests damage to the nail caused by the substances included in the preparations applied to the nails, acetone, or filing the nail plate. This proves the great influence of the technique of removing artificial nails on the structure of the natural plate., Conclusion: The use of a 3D scanner allows for precise, biometric, quantitative, and repeatable measurements of changes in the nail structure after a manicure procedure. The use of the hybrid and gel manicure procedure causes significant damage to the nail plate, especially in its distal portion., (© 2022 The Authors. Skin Research and Technology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Topical and oral antibiotic therapy is also a popular method of treatment. The effectiveness of this method is limited by the increasing resistance of bacteria to antibiotics. Over the decades since the introduction of antibiotics to treat acne, the resistance levels of bacteria have changed. This defense mechanism is developed evolutionarily. Modifications of antibiotic receptor sites, alteration of drug influx/efflux, or enzymatic degradation are common mechanisms used by bacteria to initiate and strengthen internal antibiotic resistance. The basic chromophores used in light therapy are hemoglobin, melanin, water bound to proteins, and porphyrins. Hemoglobin absorbs light mainly at 580 nm, while melanin absorbs the entire visible spectral range (400-750 nm). Porphyrins are aromatic compounds, classified as photosensitizing substances, intensively absorbing blue light, and to a lesser extent in long visible bands, such as orange and red light. Using IPL makes it possible to cover the maximum light absorption of porphyrins and hemoglobin, therefore it can be an effective tool in the treatment of inflammatory lesions in acne vulgaris. In view of the effectiveness of light therapy and its effect even on antibiotic-resistant bacteria, it is worth considering the possibility of using light therapy instead of antibiotic therapy. Due to the increasing resistance of bacteria to antimicrobials, they should be used with caution and as a last resort. The high-energy light treatment act only locally (unlike with antibiotics taken orally) and on a chromophore, such as melanin, hemoglobin, or porphyrins., (© 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background: The use of high-frequency ultrasound for noninvasive assessment of skin during chemical peeling therapies may be a useful tool., Aims: To determine whether high-frequency ultrasound is a useful tool to noninvasive assessment of skin and evaluation therapy progress., Patients/methods: The 14 women underwent four treatments with chemical peelings at 2-week intervals. Before, after 4 weeks and after 9 weeks, photographic documentation and scans were recorded using a high-resolution ultrasound system., Results: As a result of applying pyruvic acid peeling, the thickness of the entrance echo on the forehead, cheek, and chin was reduced. After applying the peeling consisting of a mixture of glycolic and salicylic acids, the thickness of the entrance echo of the epidermis decreased on the forehead, cheek, and chin. As a result of applying a 50% pyruvic acid peeling, the density of dermis on the forehead, cheeks, and chin increased. A similar increase in the density of dermis was observed on the forehead, cheeks, and chin after applying a mixture of glycolic and salicylic acid., Conclusion: High-frequency ultrasound is a useful tool for monitoring the progress in the treatment of acne vulgaris using chemical peelings., (© 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background: One of the ways to treat acne is by using chemical peels. Salicylic, glycolic and pyruvic acids due to their keratolytic and antibacterial properties are often recommended for acne patients., Aims: The aim of the study was to compare the effect of a preparation containing glycolic and salicylic acids with pyruvic acid., Patients/methods: 14 women diagnosed with acne took part in the study. The facial treatment area was divided into two parts: right (a preparation containing 50% pyruvic acid) and left side ( a preparation containing glycolic and salicylic acids). A series of four treatments was performed at 2-week intervals. Skin parameters, namely hydration, sebum secretion and skin colour were measured., Results: As a result of using 50% pyruvic acid, the hydration of the right side of the face increased statistically and there was a decrease in the amount of melanin in the epidermis. On the left side of the face, there was an increase in skin hydration after using a mixture of glycolic and salicylic acids. The increase in skin hydration on the left side of the chin and nose was not statistically significant. The use of the mixture of glycolic and salicylic acids affected the skin colour on the left side of the face, on the forehead, cheek and nose., Conclusion: Chemical peels affect a wide range of pathological factors of acne. A mixture of acids yields fewer side effects than a single acid used in high concentration, but the therapeutic effects are comparable., (© 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)