INTRODUCTION: The skin aging process includes a functional decline of the scalp’s structures, with progressive atrophy of the dermis and follicular dermal papillae, which are crucial to the nutrition and metabolism of the hair follicle. These phenomena are directly related to a poor quality of the hair shaft.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of a combination of nutrients on the keratinogenesis in the follicular dermal papilla.
METHODS: Cell cultures of human dermal papillae were incubated with a combination of A, C, D, E and B-complex vitamins, in addition to trace elements and keratin amino acids during 72 hours, in three different concentrations. These cultures were compared to an untreated control-culture. The papilla’s fibroblasts cell proliferation rate was determined after 72 hours.
RESULTS: The diverse concentrations evaluated promoted significant increase in cell proliferation as compared to the control group, however there was no significant difference between the concentrations studied.
CONCLUSION: The studied association of nutrients was capable to significantly act on the proliferation of cells in the human hair follicle’s dermal papilla, restoring more favorable conditions for the synthesis of the hair shaft. These findings demonstrate the presence of a significant potential in the approach strategy various causes of alopecia, including alopecia related to aging (senescent).

Keywords: Alopecia; Aging; Dermis; In vitro techniques; Nutrients

INTRODUCTION: The proteins involved in the process of epidermal differentiation play a key role in retention of water and maintenance of the stratum corneum.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the compaction of the skin barrier and protein expression of filaggrin, involucrin, loricrin and sphingomyelin after the use of a moisturizing cream containing saccharide isomerate and hydroxyethyl urea.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ex vivo evaluations were performed in skin culture in addition to immunofluorescence in order to identify proteins, as well as in vitro analysis with tissue culture in culture medium and histological sections, all of which compared with a control group.
RESULTS: In the ex vivo evaluation, the protein markers increased in the group treated with the moisturizing cream as compared to the skin culture model with atopic dermatitis. In the in vitro evaluation, it was possible to observe an improvement in the skin barrier compaction with the application of the cream on a reconstituted three-dimensional epidermis model, as compared with the control.
CONCLUSIONS: The moisturizing cream promoted a significant increase in the production of filaggrin, involucrin and loricrin, as well as in the compaction of the skin barrier, thus suggesting a positive effect on skin hydration and protection of the cutaneous barrier, preserving and restoring the skin.

Keywords: Administration; Amino acids; Carbohydrates; Cutaneous; Fluid therapy; Keratins; Keratinocytes; Skin; Skin care; Skin cream; Peptides; Proteins; Urea; Wetting agents