Development of a dermocosmetic platform composed of electro-stimulated facial masks

Abstract

Currently, the demand for aesthetic treatments is growing progressively for both men and women, which increases the use of cosmetics and leads to the expansion of the cosmetic industries. To improve skin health, especially facial, the use of facial masks has been increasingly recommended by dermatologists for aesthetic and skin diseases treatment purposes. The commercially available masks claim to contribute to better moisturization, firmness and uniformity of the skin. However, the action is generally restricted to the superficial area, their content is limited to the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of the skin, and the results are usually transient. To obtain more long-lasting results, facial skin care can be provided by the beauty and dermatological clinics, where electrical stimuli have been applied for cell activation and proliferation and blood circulation stimulation. The objective of this project is to develop cosmetic facial masks that can be electro-stimulated by the consumer. Conductive gels will be prepared from polymers that give ideal physico-chemical properties that contribute to the treatment of the skin, such as silk fibroin and hyaluronic acid. Silk fibroin is a natural polymer extracted from the silkworm cocoon, biodegradable, biocompatible and malleable which can contribute to the silkiness of the skin. Hyaluronic acid, a natural polymer that is part of the skin, is essential for a firm, moistured, and elastic skin. The rheological and bioadhesive properties of the gel in the presence of electrically conductive salts will be evaluated, as well as their ability to conduct a constant low-intensity electric current for a predetermined period of time. For the application of the electric current (0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 mA), a circuit controlled by an Arduino will be developed, which can be connected to a cell phone or to a power bank via USB port. This equipment will be controlled by a cell phone application that will allow the consumer to choose both the intensity of the electric current and the treatment time. The gel and electrodes will be attached to a physical support, made of a material similar to a synthetic fabric for the construction of the facial mask. The positioning and the number of electrodes needed, the effect of applying electric current to the gel and the release and cutaneous penetration of hyaluronic acid will be evaluated in vitro, using pig ear skin. The ability of the mask to profound adhere to the recesses of the face will also be evaluated. In vitro studies in cultured human dermal fibroblast cells will be carried out to verify whether the production of collagen is increased when in contact with the gel and electrical stimuli. Commercially, it is expected that the product developed will be widely accepted by the consumer market, both for its ease and convenience of use and for its affordable price. The electro-stimulated mask is an innovation in dermo-cosmetics, given that combines the topical action of moisturization, firmness and uniformity with the ability to promote the penetration of active substances into the deeper layers of the skin, such as hyaluronic acid, an essential constituent of the viable epidermis. In addition, this innovative product will allow the application of electrical stimuli to the skin by the consumer, in a simple, safe and fast way. Currently, in Brazil, this treatment is only available in dermatological clinics. (AU)