A new transparent polymer material has been developed by US scientists that tighten sagging skin and eliminates eye bags.
While the product is a long way from being on store shelves, researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology said it could one day offer more than just cosmetic lifts, but also protect sensitive skin from the ravages of eczema and dermatitis.
Artificial Skin can Send Pressure Sensation to Brain Cell
Engineers have created a flexible, skin-like material that has been able to detect pressure and also transmit a signal to a component of the nervous system.
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‘The silicon-based polymer skin could reshape sagging skin under the eyes for about 24 hours and make the skin hydrated.’
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"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," said researcher Daniel Anderson, an associate professor in MIT's Department of Chemical Engineering.
"Those three things together could really make it ideal for use in humans."
Scientists have been working on a polymer like this -- one that could mimic the properties of natural skin -- for about five years, according to the report published in the journal Nature Materials.
![Stanford Scientists Develop Artificial Skin Capable of Sensing the Pressure of Touch]( "Stanford Scientists Develop Artificial Skin Capable of Sensing the Pressure of Touch")
A team of scientists at Stanford University has developed a tactile sensing system which could produce the human sensation of touch.
Until now, the results have been messy and not very effective.
But researchers say the new product, called a cross-linked polymer layer or XPL, works better than the currently available options for wound dressing -- silicone gel sheets and polyurethane films.
"Creating a material that behaves like the skin is very difficult," said study co-author Barbara Gilchrest, a dermatologist at Massachusetts General Hospital.
"Many people have tried to do this, and the materials that have been available up until this have not had the properties of being flexible, comfortable, nonirritating, and able to conform to the movement of the skin and return to its original shape."
The research team included MIT, Massachusetts General Hospital and researchers from two companies, known as Living Proof and Olivo Labs. The latter aims to develop the technology and market it.
The silicone-based polymer can be applied in a thin layer on the skin during a two-step process.
"First, polysiloxane components are applied to the skin, followed by a platinum catalyst that induces the polymer to form a strong cross-linked film that remains on the skin for up to 24 hours," said the study.
"Both layers are applied as creams or ointments, and once spread onto the skin, XPL becomes essentially invisible."
Tests on human subjects showed it could reshape saggy skin under the eyes for about 24 hours, and made skin more hydrated.
Future uses could include using the "second skin" for protection against the sun and ultraviolet rays, researchers said.
Source: AFP
Scientists have been working on a polymer like this -- one that could mimic the properties of natural skin -- for about five years, according to the report published in the journal Nature Materials.
Stanford Scientists Develop Artificial Skin Capable of Sensing the Pressure of Touch
A team of scientists at Stanford University has developed a tactile sensing system which could produce the human sensation of touch.
Advertisement
Until now, the results have been messy and not very effective.
But researchers say the new product, called a cross-linked polymer layer or XPL, works better than the currently available options for wound dressing -- silicone gel sheets and polyurethane films.
"Creating a material that behaves like the skin is very difficult," said study co-author Barbara Gilchrest, a dermatologist at Massachusetts General Hospital.
"Many people have tried to do this, and the materials that have been available up until this have not had the properties of being flexible, comfortable, nonirritating, and able to conform to the movement of the skin and return to its original shape."
The research team included MIT, Massachusetts General Hospital and researchers from two companies, known as Living Proof and Olivo Labs. The latter aims to develop the technology and market it.
The silicone-based polymer can be applied in a thin layer on the skin during a two-step process.
"First, polysiloxane components are applied to the skin, followed by a platinum catalyst that induces the polymer to form a strong cross-linked film that remains on the skin for up to 24 hours," said the study.
"Both layers are applied as creams or ointments, and once spread onto the skin, XPL becomes essentially invisible."
Tests on human subjects showed it could reshape saggy skin under the eyes for about 24 hours, and made skin more hydrated.
Future uses could include using the "second skin" for protection against the sun and ultraviolet rays, researchers said.
Source: AFP
Artificial Skin Grown from Umbilical Cord Stem Cells
Artificially-grown skin for major burn patients has been created by scientists.
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 Artificial Skin That can Sense Touch and Heal Itself DevelopedScientists from Stanford University have developed a material that can sense subtle pressure and heal itself when torn or cut. | Advertisement
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