Introduction: Obesity is a major health problem worldwide due to its high morbidity and mortality. Objective: To evaluate the reduction of abdominal fat in volunteers who underwent low-frequency diode laser therapy. Methods: A total of 60 volunteers (18 to 50 years of age, with a BMI of between 18.5 kg/m2 and 30 kg/m2, and who had abdominal fat), underwent a treatment performed twice a week for 31 days and were then evaluated. The abdominal circumference was evaluated in three locations, with photographic and ultrasound images taken of the studied area. Results: There was a reduction in the abdominal circumference measurements in the evaluated sites, with dermal compression and a significant reduction of hypodermis verified through ultrasound. Conclusion: The low-frequency diode laser therapy showed significant results in the reduction of localized fat and abdominal circumference measurements.

Keywords: LASER; ABDOMINAL FAT; LYPOLISIS.

Introduction: The skin may present dysfunctions that result in histological alterations and elementary lesions, many of them caused by immunologic mechanisms and/or alterations in the epidermal barrier. Objective: The present study was aimed at verifying in vitro whether some cosmetic products marketed in Brazil in the form of liquid soaps, have anti-inflammatory and protective efficacy in the skin barrier. Methods: An in vitro study was carried out with four commercial soaps, which were evaluated in a cell culture of human keratinocytes for the determination of their anti-inflammatory and epidermal barrier restorative effects, as well as their capacity to reduce cutaneous hypersensitivity. Concentrations of keratin 10 and 14, loricrin, IL-12, IFN-γ and TRP V-1 were measured in the cell culture supernatants of human keratinocyte through the sandwich ELISA assay. Results: The four test substances led to significant reductions in the synthesis of IFN-γ and IL-12. Only the test substance C triggered a significant increase in the synthesis of keratin 10. All test substances showed significant reductions in the synthesis of keratin 14 and TRPV-1, and a significant increase in the synthesis of loricrin. Conclusions: Some cosmetic products in the form of soap can have in vitro results regarding their anti-inflammatory, epidermal barrier restoration and skin hypersensitivity reduction effects.

Keywords: ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AGENTS/ADVERSE EFFECTS; DERMATITIS, ATOPIC; SOAPS

Introdução: Hyperpigmentation is a common dermatological condition, usually associated with exposure to the sun and relative difficulty of treatment. Pycnogenol^® is an extract obtained from the French pine tree Pinus pinaster, with known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, having been proven to inhibit melanin synthesis in previous studies. Objective: To evaluate the whitening activity of Pycnogenol^® in an ex vivo experimental model after exposure to ultraviolet A and B, infrared-A radiations and visible light. Method: Human skin fragments obtained from elective plastic surgery were treated with Pycnogenol ^® and then irradiated with ultraviolet A and B, and infrared-A radiations, and visible light, having been sent for histological evaluation of melanin pigmentation by the Fontana-Masson staining technique. Results: The histological evaluation demonstrated an increase in melanin deposition in all irradiated groups. However, fragments pre-incubated with Pycnogenol^® showed a reduction in the deposition of this pigment after irradiation. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the reduced melanin deposition in skin culture treated with Pycnogenol^® after irradiation with ultraviolet A and B, and infrared-A radiations, and visible light, concluding that this substance may have lightening properties.

Keywords: HYPERPIGMENTATION; SKIN LIGHTENING PREPARATIONS; SOLAR RADIATION

Introduction: Infrared radiation (IR-A) causes structural changes in the skin, similar to those caused by prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Evaluation of efficacy and safety of cosmetic products concentrates in in vitro tests and clinical trials. A promising alternative is the use of fragments of human skin from elective cosmetic surgery, to evaluate the actual clinical benefits of a product applied topically.
Objective: The objective of this study was to correlate IR-A radiation effects in biopsies and in ex vivo skin fragments and in human fibroblasts culture by quantifying MMP-1, TIMP-1 and GADD45a mediators.
Methods: Collection of biopsies from 15 volunteers after IR-A applications for 5 consecutive days. Exposure to IR-A radiation of human skin fragments from elective cosmetic surgery, and human fibroblasts culture. Measurement of MMP-1, TIMP-1 and GADD45a mediators for further comparison of results.
Results: In the three models used, the IR-A radiation induced an increase in MMP-1, inhibited the synthesis of GADD45a, and did not changed TIMP-1 values.
Conclusion: Due to the positive correlation of the models studied, it may be suggested the use of ex vivo skin as plausible and sustainable tool to overcome differences between knowledge generated from in vitro and clinical experiments.

Keywords: SKIN AGING; MATRIX METALLOPROTEINASE 1; SOLAR RADIATION; IN VITRO TECHNIQUES

INTRODUCTION: Sclerotherapy is the most widely used method for the treatment of varicose veins of the lower limbs. The most common complication is the appearance of hyperchromic spots in the treated region. Pycnogenol^® has long been known as a phlebotonic, anti-inflammatory and skin depigmenting drug. Studies have already proven the efficacy of this drug in the prevention and treatment of post inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of Pinus pinaster extract (Pycnogenol^®; PPE) in the prevention of hemosiderin deposits in human skin culture submitted to inflammatory stress.
METHODS: Fragments of human skin were stimulated with interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1 α) to induce an inflammatory response and, concurrently treated with PPE for further histological evaluation and hemosiderin semi-quantification.
RESULTS: The histological evaluation of skin fragments exposed to IL-1 alpha revealed a 26.6% higher hemosiderin density compared with the control group. Moreover, skin fragments incubated concomitantly with PPE showed significant reductions in hemosiderin deposits when compared with the group only exposed to the inflammatory microenvironment.
CONCLUSIONS: The results presented in this study showed an important effect of PPE (Pycnogenol^®) in the prevention of hemosiderin accumulation caused by inflammatory stress similar to the post-sclerotherapy process.

Keywords: Hemosiderin; Hyperpigmentation; Sclerotherapy

INTRODUCTION: Plant extracts and actives derived from plants were developed to improve and enhance the skin healing process including Triticum aestivum L. (Triticum vulgare).
PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of whole grain extract (EGTA-PR) and aqueous extract (EATA-FI) of Triticum aestivum L., on ex vivo skin healing.
METHODS: Skin fragments obtained from elective plastic surgery were subjected to tissue damage and treated with extracts for eight days for histological evaluation of re-epithelialization and immunofluorescence for epidermal growth factor (EGF).
RESULTS: EGTA-PR and EATA-FI accelerated the re-epithelialization process in human skin culture submitted to tissue injury. Additionally, we observed increased EGF protein labeling after treatment with EGTA-PR.
CONCLUSION: EGTA-PR showed a better performance in re-epithelialization when compared to EATA-FI, as it presented a higher protein labeling for EGF in human skin culture. Likewise, the histological results showed that the dermal redensification obtained with EGTA-PR was visually superior to that observed with EATA-FI. The results obtained are promising and corroborate the several biological actions already reported in the literature for Triticum aestivum L. extract in tissue healing stages.

Keywords: Regeneration; Epidermal growth factor; Triticum; In vitro techniques; Wound healing