Forget facelifts: researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University have developed a new product that, when applied directly to the skin, can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and other blemishes, according to a recently-published study.
Advertisement
It mimics the elastic properties of healthy, youthful skin.
“We hope this can be used for many different things”, Daniel Anderson, an MIT chemical engineering professor as quoted by CNN.
When tested on people, researchers found the polymer was able to reshape “eye bags” beneath the lower eyelids, and the effect lasted about 24 hours. On average, application of the material decreased the look of baggy eyes by 2 points on a 5-point scale.
“It’s an invisible layer that can provide a barrier, provide cosmetic improvement, and potentially deliver a drug locally to the area that’s being treated”.
Anderson says that the amount of platinum the team uses is pretty small and shouldn’t make the second-skin treatment too pricey.
Scientists have developed a new material that can temporarily tighten skin, smooth wrinkles, and may be used to deliver drugs to treat skin conditions such as eczema.
These polymers can be assembled into a network arrangement known as a cross-linked polymer layer (XPL).
“Langer, who also co-founded the firm Olivo Labs that is manufacturing the second skin, said he has been working on the project with his colleagues for the past eight years”. Then a second cream containing a catalyst that causes a chemical reaction to create the invisible coating or second skin.
Applying “second skin” involves a two-step process, New York Times shared. It could also be adapted to provide long-lasting UV protection, add researchers, and by incorporating antimicrobial agents or medications, the material has significant potential in the medical arena. Both layers are applied as creams or ointments.
XPL has extraordinary elasticity-it can return to its original state after being stretched to 250 percent, while skin can only be stretched 180 percent.
I, for one, am willing to diverge from scientific skepticism and say that I will be standing in line when this artificial skin becomes available. When the XPL-treated skin was stretched with a suction cup, it went back to its original position quicker than untreated skin.
Advertisement
Researchers said none of the participants involved in the XPL trials reported experiencing any irritation.
