OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of stuck acupuncture combined with facial acupuncture for facial cosmetology. METHODS: A total of 22 female patients with symptoms of facial aging were treated with stuck acupuncture combined with facial acupuncture. Stuck acupuncture was applied at bilateral Taiyang (EX-HN5) through Xiaguan (ST7), Jiache (ST6) through Daying (ST5) and Yingxiang (LI20)，once a week. Facial acupuncture was applied at Yintang (GV24⁺), ashi points (nasolabial fold) and bilateral Yangbai (GB14), Quanliao (SI18), Sibai (ST2), Xiaguan (ST7), Dicang (ST4), Jiache (ST6), Daying (ST5), Renying (ST9), twice a week. Four weeks were required. The global aesthetic improvement scale (GAIS) score after treatment, wrinkle severity rating scale (WSRS) score before and after treatment were observed. The quantitative analysis of skin characteristics was performed before and after treatment. RESULTS: After treatment, of the 22 patients, 3 cases had complete improvement, 15 cases had obvious improvement, 4 cases had partial improvement, 0 case had no improvement. The WSRS score and scores of wrinkles, textures and pores were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.01). CONCLUSION Stuck acupuncture combined with facial acupuncture could effectively improve the symptoms of facial aging.
Humans ; Female ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Face ; Acupuncture Points ; Skin Aging ; Treatment Outcome ; Aged

Based on the theory of the five-body constituents from Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor's Internal Classic), the approach and methods of acupuncture for facial aging are explored. Acupuncture for facial aging can be guided by the concept of the five-body constituents, targeting the facial "skin, flesh, vessels, tendons, and bones", and utilizing five different types of needles-facial needles, needle knives, filiform needles, retaining needles, and elongated needles and filiform needles-to maximize their respective advantages in treating facial aging. Facial needles are applied to the "skin" by selecting facial acupoints or local ashi points (at wrinkle or pigmentation sites). Needle knives are used for the "flesh" to perform longitudinal dredging and transverse dissection of the facial muscle layers. Filiform needles target the "vessels" with needling at Renying (ST9) to improve facial complexion. Retaining needles act on the "tendons" with needling from Taiyang (EX-HN5) to Xiaguan (ST7), and Jiache (ST6) to Daying (ST5), using clockwise twisting to generate a retaining needle sensation and lifting to achieve an overall facial lifting effect.
Humans ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Face ; Skin Aging ; Acupuncture Points ; Aging

OBJECTIVE: To explore the anti-photoaging properties of salvianolic acid B (Sal B). METHODS: The optimal photoaging model of human immortalized keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) were constructed by expose to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation. The cells were divided into control, model and different concentrations of Sal B groups. Cell viability was measured via cell counting kit-8. Subsequently, the levels of oxidative stress, including reactive oxygen species (ROS), hydroxyproline (Hyp), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were detected using the relevant kits. Silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) protein level was detected using Western blot. The binding pattern of Sal B and SIRT1 was determined via molecular docking. RESULTS: Sal B significantly increased the viability of UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Sal B effectively scavenged the accumulation of ROS induced by UVB (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In addition, Sal B modulated oxidative stress by increasing the intracellular concentrations of Hyp and CAT and the activity of GSH-Px (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The Western blot results revealed a substantial increase in SIRT1 protein levels following Sal B administration (P<0.05). Moreover, Sal B exhibited good binding affinity toward SIRT1, with a docking energy of -7.5 kCal/mol. CONCLUSION Sal B could improve the repair of photodamaged cells by alleviating cellular oxidative stress and regulating the expression of SIRT1 protein.
Humans ; Sirtuin 1/metabolism* ; Ultraviolet Rays ; Oxidative Stress/radiation effects* ; Keratinocytes/metabolism* ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Benzofurans/pharmacology* ; Skin Aging/radiation effects* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Cell Survival/radiation effects* ; HaCaT Cells ; Hydroxyproline/metabolism* ; Glutathione Peroxidase/metabolism* ; Catalase/metabolism* ; Depsides

The cosmetic sector is a multibillion-dollar industry that requires constant attention being paid to innovative product development and engagement. Notably, its market value is projected to exceed 750 billion U.S. dollars by 2025, and it is expanding as novel, climate-friendly, green, and sustainable components from natural sources are incorporated. This review is written based on the numerous reports on the potential applications of food-derived peptides while focusing on their possible uses in the formulation of cosmeceutical and skincare products. First, the production methods of bioactive peptides linked to cosmeceutical uses are described. Then, we discuss the obtainment and characterization of different anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-aging, and other pleiotropic peptides with their specific mechanisms, from various food sources. The review concludes with salient considerations of the cost of production and pilot scale operation, stability, compatibility, user safety, site-specificity, and delivery methods, when designing or developing biopeptide-based cosmeceutical products.
Cosmeceuticals/chemistry* ; Peptides/pharmacology* ; Humans ; Antioxidants/pharmacology* ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology* ; Anti-Infective Agents/pharmacology* ; Cosmetics ; Skin Aging/drug effects*

Objective: To investigate the expression and function of collagen type ⅩⅦ α1 (COL17α1) in aging mouse skin and its effect on the stemness and proliferation of human epidermal stem cells (ESCs), and to explore the mechanism of related microRNA (miR) in intervening the expression of COL17α1 of human ESC. Methods: The method of experimental research was used. Twelve 2-month-old (young) and twelve 24-month-old (aged) male C57BL/6J mice were selected, and full-thickness skin samples from their upper back were taken for follow-up detection. After hematoxylin-eosin staining of the full-thickness skin samples of young mice and aged mice, the structure of the epidermis was observed and the thickness of the epidermis was measured; the morphology of epidermal basement membrane and hemidesmosomes were observed by transmission electron microscopy, and the hemidesmosomes were counted; the mRNA and protein expressions of COL17α1 were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting respectively, and the protein expression and distribution of COL17α1 was observed and detected by immunofluorescence method. The fresh foreskin tissue discarded after surgery was obtained from 3 healthy men aged 20-30 years who underwent circumcision at the Fourth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, ESCs were extracted and well-grown cells were wsed for follow-up experiments. According to the random number table (the same grouping method below), ESCs were divided into blank control group, transfection reagent control group, empty vector plasmid group, and COL17α1 knockdown plasmid group with corresponding treatment. After 48 hours of culture, the mRNA expression of COL17α1 was detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative RT-PCR, the protein expressions of COL17α1 and cytokeratin 14 (CK14) were detected by Western blotting, and the cell proliferation level was detected by cell counting kit 8. miRs that might act on the 3' non-coding region of COL17α1 mRNA were screened through DIANA, miRTarBase, miRNAMap, TargetScan, and microRNA databases. The ESCs were divided into negative control group transfected with miR mimic negative control and each miR mimic group transfected with each of the previously screened miR mimics. Forty-eight hours after transfection, the protein expression of COL17α1 was detected by Western blotting. Based on the sequencing data set GSE114006 in Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), the GEO2R tool was used to statistically analyze the expression of the previously screened miRs that could cause the reduction of COL17α1 protein expression in the skin of 30 young (18-25 years old) and 30 elderly (>70 years old) human skins. The full-thickness skin samples of young mice and aged mice were taken, and the expressions of increased miRs in the aforementioned aged human skin were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative RT-PCR. Two batches of human ESCs were taken, the first batch was divided into COL17α1 wild type+miR-203b-3p negative control group and COL17α1 wild type+miR-203b-3p mimic group, and the second batch was divided into COL17α1 mutant+miR-203b-3p negative control group and COL17α1 mutant+miR-203b-3p mimic group. Each group of ESC was transfected with corresponding sequences respectively. Forty-eight hours later, the luciferase reporter gene detection kit was used to detect the gene expression level of COL17α1. The number of samples in the tissue experiment was 6, and the number of samples in the cell experiment was 3. Data were statistically analyzed with independent sample t test, one-way analysis of variance, least significant difference test or Dunnett's test, Mann-Whitney U test or Kruskal-Wallis H test. Results: Compared with those of young mice, the boundary between the epidermis and the dermis of the aged mice skin was blurred and the cell layers were less, and the thickness of epidermis was significantly thinner (Z=-2.88, P<0.01); the morphology of basement membrane was discontinuous, with less unevenly distributed hemidesmosomes at the epidermis-dermis junction, and the number of hemidesmosomes was significantly reduced (Z=-2.91, P<0.01); the mRNA and protein expression levels of COL17α1 in the skin of aged mice were significantly decreased (with t values of 10.61 and 6.85, respectively, P<0.01). Compared with those of young mice, the protein expression of COL17α1 in the basal layer of epidermis and the bulb of hair follicle in the skin of aged mice was significantly decreased (Z=-2.24, P<0.05). After 48 hours of culture, the protein expression levels of COL17α1 in ESCs of blank control group, transfection reagent control group, empty vector plasmid group, and COL17α1 knockdown plasmid group were 1.00±0.27, 1.12±0.21, 1.13±0.23, and 0.42±0.18, respectively. Compared with those of blank control group, the mRNA and protein expression levels of COL17α1, the protein expression level of CK14, and the proliferation level of ESCs in transfection reagent control group and empty vector plasmid group did not change significantly (P>0.05), while these indexes in COL17α1 knockdown plasmid group were significantly decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). miR-203a-3p, miR-203b-3p, miR-512-5p, miR-124-3p, miR-28-5p, miR-590-3p, and miR-329-5p might bind to the 3' non-coding region of COL17α1 mRNA. Forty-eight hours after transfection, compared with 1.000±0.224 in negative control group, the protein expression level of COL17α1 in ESCs of miR-329-5p mimic group, miR-203b-3p mimic group, and miR-203a-3p mimic group decreased significantly (0.516±0.188, 0.170±0.025, and 0.235±0.025, with t values of 3.17, 5.43, and 5.07, respectively, P<0.05 or P<0.01). Only the expression level of miR-203b-3p in the skin of the elderly was significantly higher than that of the young (t=3.27, P<0.01). The expression level of miR-203b-3p in the skin of aged mice was significantly higher than that of young mice (Z=-2.88, P<0.01). Forty-eight hours after transfection, the gene expression level of COL17α1 in ESCs of COL17α1 wild type+miR-203b-3p mimic group was significantly lower than that of COL17α1 wild type+miR-203b-3p negative control group (t=7.66, P<0.01). The gene expression level of COL17α1 in ESCs of COL17α1 mutant+miR-203b-3p mimic group was similar to that of COL17α1 mutant+miR-203b-3p negative control group (P>0.05). Conclusions: The mRNA and protein expression levels of COL17α1 decrease with age increasing in mice, which may lead to the detachment of mouse ESC from the epidermal basement membrane. Decreased expression of COL17α1 can inhibit the expression of CK14 and ESC proliferation, which may be responsible for the thinning of the epidermis and slower wound healing in aged human skin. The increased expression of miR-203b-3p in aged mouse skin can target and bind to the 3' non-coding region of COL17α1 mRNA, hindering the post-transcriptional translation process, thus resulting in decreased COL17α1 protein expression.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Animals ; Autoantigens ; Humans ; Keratin-14 ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; Non-Fibrillar Collagens/pharmacology* ; Polyesters ; RNA, Messenger ; Skin Aging ; Stem Cells ; Young Adult

Periorbital dermatochalasis with upper eyelid hooding, brow ptosis, and sunken eyelids may appear with age. Because classic blepharoplasty is unable to correct all these issues, we developed a single operation, which we present herein, to correct dermatochalasis accompanied by sunken eyelids. This sub-brow approach is used with simultaneous browpexy by fixing the orbital portion of the orbicularis oculi muscle (OOM) to the periosteum immediately above the supraorbital rim using sutures with 3 or 4 points of fixation and correcting sunken eyelids by burying the elevated dermis, fat, and OOM after de-epithelization in the lower flap of the sunken upper eyelid along the submuscular plane. This method enables the correction of sunken eyelids during the same operation without requiring an additional procedure, and offers the advantages of a shortened operation time and decreased cost. The presence of sunken eyelids in patients with dermatochalasis and severe lateral hooding may be corrected by the procedure described herein, thereby achieving periorbital rejuvenation while maintaining the original shape of the eyes.
Blepharoplasty ; Dermis ; Eyelids ; Humans ; Methods ; Middle Aged ; Orbit ; Periosteum ; Rejuvenation ; Skin Aging ; Sutures

To exploring a new minimally invasive method for the removal of moderate and severe glabellar frown lines. The corrugator supercilii muscles were subjected to blunt cutting and vacuum suction by using a self-made modified liposuction needle,and the obtained muscle particles were backfilled subcutaneously into the depression area between eyebrows to expand the wrinkles. Seventeen cases were followed up for six to twelve months after the operation.The glabellar wrinkles disappeared or became flatter in all patients. The minimally invasive corrugator resection and backfill by using self-made modified liposuction needle can effectively remove the glabellar frown lines without forming scar.
Face ; Facial Muscles ; Forehead ; Humans ; Lipectomy ; Skin Aging

BACKGROUND: Face-lifting procedures are often performed to hide the effects of aging. Thread-lifting, a minimally invasive technique for the correction of facial aging, has become increasingly popular, and various materials for the procedure have been developed. OBJECTIVE: This study compared tissue responses to two types of threading sutures placed under rat skin: polypropylene (PP) monofilament mesh suspension thread (a novel face-lifting material) and polydioxanone (PDO) barbed thread. METHODS: Eight rats each were assigned to the PP monofilament mesh suspension, PDO barbed thread, and control groups. Tissue reactions were evaluated 28 days after subcutaneous loading of the materials. RESULTS: Significant increases in tensile strength and the mean area occupied by collagen fibers were evident in skin loaded with PDO barbed thread and PP monofilament mesh suspension thread compared to control skin (p<0.05). Compared to sites loaded with PDO barbed thread, those loaded with PP monofilament mesh suspension thread showed a significant increase in the number of collagen fibers and a lower grade of inflammation (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: PP monofilament mesh suspension thread has skin-rejuvenating effects comparable to those of PDO barbed thread, but induces a less severe inflammatory response. This indicates that it is a safe and effective material for use in thread-lifting procedures on aging skin.
Aging ; Animals ; Collagen ; Inflammation ; Polydioxanone ; Polypropylenes ; Rats ; Skin ; Sutures ; Tensile Strength

BACKGROUND: Age-related changes in facial skin is a major concern in women. This study aimed to objectively evaluate normal skin elasticity and age-related differences in the faces of East Asian women. There are no standard values for data related to normal skin on East Asian women. METHODS: We studied 129 healthy East Asian women without a history of cosmetic procedures or surgeries. Skin elasticity was assessed at the cheek and lower eyelid points, which were assessed on both the right and left sides of the face. RESULTS: The age of the subjects showed significant negative correlations with the R2 and R7 parameters, which represent skin elasticity after deformation. CONCLUSION: We therefore concluded that the primary decrease in skin elasticity in East Asian women occurs in the midface region.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Cheek ; Elasticity ; Eyelids ; Female ; Humans ; Rejuvenation ; Skin Aging ; Skin

BACKGROUND: Few scales are currently available to evaluate changes in hand volume. We aimed to develop a hand grading scale for quantitative assessments of dorsal hand volume with additional consideration of changes in skin texture; to validate and prove the precision and reproducibility of the new scale; and to demonstrate the presence of clinically significant differences between grades on the scale. METHODS: Five experienced plastic surgeons developed the Hand Volume Rating Scale (HVRS) and rated 91 images. Another five plastic surgeons validated the scale using 50 randomly selected images. Intra- and inter-rater agreement was calculated using the weighted kappa statistic and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Paired images were also evaluated to verify whether the scale reflected clinical differences. RESULTS: The intra-rater agreement was 0.95 (95% confidence interval, 0.922–0.974). The interrater ICCs were excellent (first rating, 0.94; second rating, 0.94). Image pairs that differed by 1, 2, and 3 grades were considered to contain clinically relevant differences in 80%, 100%, and 100% of cases, respectively, while 84% of image pairs of the same grade were found not to show clinically relevant differences. This confirmed that the scale of the HVRS corresponded to clinically relevant distinctions. CONCLUSIONS: The scale was proven to be precise, reproducible, and reflective of clinical differences.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Hand ; Humans ; Plastics ; Rejuvenation ; Skin ; Skin Aging ; Surgeons ; Weights and Measures