How emotional changes affect skin odor and its impact on others.

The gas emanating from human skin is known to vary depending on one's physical condition and diet. Thus, skin gas has been gaining substantial scholarly attention as an effective noninvasive biomarker for understanding different physical conditions. This study focuses on the relationship between psychological stress and skin gas, which has remained unclear to date.

1-(2-Hydroxyethyl)-2-imidazolidinone, a heparanase and matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor, improves epidermal basement membrane structure and epidermal barrier function.

Daily exposure to sunlight is known to affect the structure and function of the epidermal basement membrane (BM), as well as epidermal differentiation and epidermal barrier function. The aim of this study is to clarify whether the inhibition of BM-degrading enzymes such as heparanase and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) can improve the epidermal barrier function of facial skin, which is exposed to the sun on a daily basis. 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-imidazolidinone (HEI) was synthesized as an inhibitor of both heparanase and MMP-9.

Analysis of morphological changes after facial massage by a novel approach using three-dimensional computed tomography.

Background/purpose: Photograph-based visual scoring has been used for evaluation of facial morphological changes. Here, we describe a three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) method for objective analysis of facial and intra-facial (subcutaneous) changes. The effects of facial massage were examined using both methods.

Stratum corneum drying drives vertical compression and lipid organization and improves barrier function in vitro.

The stratum corneum dehydrates after exogenous hydration due to skincare or bathing. In this study, sheets of stratum corneum were isolated from reconstructed human epidermis and the barrier function and structure of these sheets were assessed during drying with the aim of improving our understanding of skincare. Water diffusion through the sheets of stratum corneum decreased with drying, accompanied by decreased thickness and increased visible light transmission through the sheets.

Comparison of sagging at the cheek and lower eyelid between male and female faces.

Background: Facial sagging is a well-known morphological feature associated with aging and reduced dermal elasticity. Its morphological characteristics and mechanism have been studied in females, but it is unclear whether or not there is a gender difference.

Aims: The aim of this study was to clarify the morphological characteristics of sagging and the mechanism of sagging formation in male faces as compared with female faces, focusing on changes in dermal elasticity.