Epidermal elasticity

All humans experience intrinsic aging. Typically, it is characterized by smooth, relatively atrophic, finely wrinkled or lax skin. Histologically, the stratum corneum is normal. However, the epidermis is atrophic and there is flattening of the dermo-epidermal junction. Dermal features include decreased thickness, loss of elastic fibers, and a decrease in the biosynthetic capacity of fibroblasts [i, 2] (Table 15.1). 

Elastosis perforans serpiginosa starts as red umbUicated papules that coalesce to form annular (serpiginous or arcuate) lesions with clear centres. There are microscopically thickened coarse elastic fibers, extruding through narrow epidermal channels. 

During recent years, the topical delivery of liposomes has been applied to different applications and in different disease models (188). Current efforts in this area concentrate around optimization procedures and new compositions. Recently, highly flexible liposomes called transferosomes that follow the trans-epidermal water activity gradient in the skin have been proposed. Diclofenac in transferosomes was effective when tested in mice, rats and pigs (189). The concept of increased deformability of transdermal liposomes is supported by the results of transdermal delivery of pergolide in liposomes, in which elastic vesicles have been shown to be more efficient (190).The combination of liposomes and iontophoresis for transdermal delivery yielded promising results (191, 192). 

The practice of exfoliation to remove dead cells and oils from skin was well known in ancient cultures. Crushed nut seeds such as walnut were commonly used to provide abrasion as well as nutritional benefits. It is believed that removal of dead cells leads to improved skin elasticity and firmness by regeneration of epidermal tissues thus making the skin look smoother, supple, healthier, and younger. 

Histopathological examination of scleroderma-like lesions showed distended collagen fibers, shrinkage of elastic fibers, interstitial edema, sometimes perivascular lymphocytic infiltrates, swollen endothelial cells of the enlarged capillaries, and marked acanthosis in the epidermal layer (Czernielewski et al. 1979). 

Aloe vera also stimulates fibroblast which in turn stimulates production of collagen and elastin fibers (Smjushe et al., 2008). Consequently, skin is more elastic and less wrinkled. Moreoever, it exhibits cohesive effects on the superficial flaking epidermal cells by sticking them together, resulting in softening of the skin. Amino acids present in Aloe vera as well... 

---