REACH: impact on the US cosmetics industry?

The Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and restriction of Chemicals (REACH) is a recent European regulation on chemical substances meant to protect human health and the environment. REACH imposes the "precautionary principle" where additional data and definitive action are required when uncertainty is identified. The cosmetics industry is only partially concerned by REACH: while the stages of registration and evaluation apply to cosmetics, those of authorization and restriction most likely will not, as cosmetic ingredients are already subject to regulation by various agencies and directives. REACH has potential benefits to the industry including the possibility of reassuring consumers and improving their image of chemicals and cosmetics. However, REACH also has potential disadvantages, mainly with regard to impeding innovation. The American cosmetics industry will be affected by REACH, because all US manufacturers who export substances to Europe will have to fully comply with REACH.     

Can the reporting of adverse skin reactions to cosmetics be improved? A prospective clinical study using a structured protocol

Background:  The use of cosmetics is rising, and adverse reactions to these products are increasing. In Sweden, the Medical Products Agency (MPA) keeps a voluntary reporting system for such adverse reactions. However, the reporting is sparse, consisting almost only of cases with test-proven allergic contact dermatitis, thus under-reporting the more common irritant reactions.
Objective:  The aim of the study was to try to improve the reporting system.
Patients and Methods:  Dermatologists at 3 dermatology departments used a structured protocol during the clinical investigation of 151 consecutive patients reporting skin reactions to cosmetics. The protocol included symptoms, signs, affected body site, suspected products, and final diagnosis after patch testing. Based on clinical data and patch test results, a causality assessment for each product was made according to a protocol used at the MPA.
Results:  Allergic contact dermatitis was found in 28% of the patients, and irritant reactions were equally common at 27%.
Conclusions:  Using this structured protocol, the cases of irritant dermatitis were also reported, and it is recommended that such a protocol is used as a standard to improve the reporting of adverse reactions to skin care products.     

重庆地区193例化妆品变应性接触性皮炎患者斑贴试验结果分析

 目的:分析重庆地区化妆品变应性接触性皮炎患者主要化妆品成分变应原，以便指导患者合理选择和使用化妆品，降低皮炎的发生率。方法:选取我院皮肤科门诊确诊为化妆品变应性接触性皮炎的193例患者进行化妆品成分斑贴试验，并对结果作统计学分析。结果:斑贴试验总阳性率为69.43%，合并2种及2种以上变应原的患者占50.26%，阳性率前5位的变应原分别为硫柳汞、十二烷基硫酸钠、尼泊金酯、三乙醇胺和乙二胺；女性斑贴试验阳性率为73.33%，明显高于男性，差异有统计学意义(X²=9.67，P<0.05）；青年组明显高于其他年龄组，差异有统计学意义（ X²=36.79，P<0.05）。结论：硫柳汞、十二烷基硫酸钠、尼泊金酯、三乙醇胺和乙二胺5种物质是重庆地区化妆品变应性接触性皮炎患者主要的致敏成分。化妆品变应性接触性皮炎患者以女性为主，中青年多见。     

Contact allergy to cosmetics: testing with patients'' own products

In a 2-year period, 1527 patients with contact dermatitis were investigated in the patch-test clinic. In 531 patients, allergy to cosmetics was suspected from the history and they were tested with their own cosmetic products. 40 (7.5%) (of the 531 patients) had 1 or more positive reactions, 82 (15.4%) had doubtfully positive reaction(s) and 31 (5.8%) had irritant reaction(s). Skin-care products were tested most frequently and were also found to cause most positive, doubtfully positive and irritant reactions, 80% of the patients with positive reactions to their own products had no history of contact dermatitis prior to the presenting attack, and in 92.5% of the cases, the positive reaction was considered relevant or partly relevant. In patients with a positive reaction, ingredients that could be responsible were found in 60% of the cases by testing with the European standard series and a series of common cosmetic ingredients. Fragrance mix and formaldehyde were found to be the ingredients most often responsible and were significantly more frequent in patients with positive reactions to their own products, compared to a control group of eczema patients also seen in the patch-test clinic.     

Comparison of cheek and forehead regions by bioengineering methods in women with different self-reported "cosmetic skin types"

Background/aims: Understanding structural and functional differences between facial areas is necessary for the formulation of cosmetics and dermatological preparations well tailored to the skin's biophysical characteristics. The objective of the present study was to compare biophysical parameters on malar and frontal facial areas of healthy women classified according to self-reported cosmetic skin types.
Methods: The study population comprised 253 women aged from 20 to 50 years who did not display any signs of dermatological disease. Women declared spontaneously their cosmetic skin type. Skin capacitance, sebum casual level, skin temperature, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin colour and relief were assessed on cheeks and forehead in a controlled environment.
Results: All biophysical parameters showed statistically significant differences between the two zones. Mean a* chromametric values and TEWL values were significantly higher on cheeks. In contrast, mean b * chromametric values and sebum casual levels showed the highest values on the forehead. Moreover, skin capacitance, temperature, roughness and L .* chromametric value showed minor, while statistically significant, differences between the two zones. With marginal exceptions, the differences between the facial zones for each biophysical parameter remained statistically significant, irrespective of self-reported skin type.
Conclusion: Biophysical parameter mean values differ between frontal and malar zones regardless of self-reported skin type. Except for the elevated sebum casual levels in "greasy" and "combined" skin, no single or combined biophysical characteristics could be linked to any of the self-reported skin types. Furthermore our data confirm that in contrast to the common belief that "dry" skin is associated with reduced sebum production, sebum levels in women declaring to have "dry" skin and those declaring to have "normal" skin were not found to be different.     

The structural relationship between job satisfaction and organizational commitment of beauty industry employees

Background

Based on the analysis results that can further enhance organizational satisfaction and response to changes in the employment environment of cosmetic employees and workers through organizational commitment and turnover intention of cosmetic.

Objectives

This research paper empirically analyzed changes in employment environment due to coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic and 4th industrial revolution and the effect of employees and job satisfaction on turnover intention in the cosmetic industry, and sought measures necessary for conflict management in industrial sites.

Methods

A self-report questionnaire was conducted on 508 cosmetic implementers. Statistical processing of the data collected by the data analysis method was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) WIN23.0 statistical package program through data coding and data organizing process.

Results

Changes in the employment environment were found to have a significant effect on job satisfaction (t = −11.728, p < 0.05). Changes in the employment environment were found to have a significant effect on organizational commitment, which is a dependent variable (t = −9.476, p < 0.05). Changes in the employment environment and job satisfaction were found to have a significant effect on organizational commitment, and this regression model was found to be statistically significant (F = 67.703, p < 0.05). Job satisfaction showed a significant positive (+) effect on organizational commitment rather than the employment environment (t = 6.235, p < 0.05). As a result, it was found that the organizational commitment and job satisfaction of cosmetic employees and workers affected their turnover intentions due to changes in the employment environment due to the 4th industrial revolution and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusion

This study focused on the relationship between employment environment changes in the cosmetic industry due to the recent 4th industrial revolution and the COVID-19 pandemic, and the effects of job satisfaction and organizational commitment of cosmetic employees on turnover intention. Based on the results of the analysis that can further increase the organizational commitment and search for job satisfaction of cosmetic employers and workers, we intend to establish the identity of cosmetic industry organizations nationwide and raise community awareness. This study will help the development and growth of the cosmetic industry by providing basic data that can be reborn as a better cosmetic service organization.     

Cosmetic dermatology: no need for an apology

Cosmetic dermatology should be an established part of the practice of dermatology. No ifs, ands, or buts. Patients want to look their best, and they have every right to achieve this goal.     

The evidence for reducing the pain of administration of local anesthesia and cosmetic injectables

Administration of injections, whether local anesthetic or cosmetic injectable, can result in significant distress and discomfort to patients. This review explores factors that can alleviate anxiety and pain associated with injections including cosmetic injectables. We highlight that many techniques used to reduce pain have only been reported based on anecdotal evidence and small series. The techniques that have been reported to reduce pain, by randomized controlled trials, include pretreatment with topical local anesthetic agents and combined cosmetic injectables with local anesthetics.     

Ocular complications of severe corneal abrasions after cosmetic blepharopigmentation

A 53-year-old woman with hemiparesis and poor dexterity, underwent cosmetic blepharopigmentation on the both upper eyelids in the dermatology clinic of a private hospital. She was not asked for any information on her medical history and no informed consent was obtained and the procedure was performed without any protective ocular shields. The patient experienced severe lacrimation, discomfort, and increased sensitivity to light during and after the procedure. She also noticed blurred vision after the procedure. Ophthalmologic examination revealed tender and oedematous eyelids and corneal abrasions in both of her eyes. Topical antibiotics and preservative-free lubricants were able to recover her from her signs and symptoms at 1-week follow-up. It is recommended that cosmetic blepharopigmentation should be applied cautiously with patient’s informed consent after obtaining a thorough medical history and with protective ocular shields to avoid potential complications.     

Longitudinal evaluation of cryolipolysis efficacy: two case studies

Cryolipolysis treatment, or cold‐induced destruction of adipocytes, provides a noninvasive option for localized subcutaneous fat reduction without damaging the overlying skin or adjacent structures. This case study examines the long‐term visibility of fat layer reduction subsequent to cryolipolysis treatment, through longitudinal evaluation. Two male subjects were unilaterally treated on one flank. Baseline and postprocedure photographs (at 2 or 5 years) of the treated and contralateral untreated flanks display durable results despite natural fluctuations in body weight.     

标准筛选系列抗原在化妆品皮炎诊断中的应用

１５３例化妆品皮炎患者应用标准筛选抗原斑贴试验，变态反应性阳性１１０例，刺激性反应４例，阳性率为７４．５％。引起化妆品皮炎的主要抗原为芳香混合物、对苯二胺、硫酸镍、松香、氯化钴、秘鲁香油、甲醛及羊毛醇。本研究提示：筛选抗原斑贴试验在我国化妆品皮炎的诊断上有较大的实用价值。     

Q‐switched Nd:YAG laser for cosmetic tattoo removal

Laser is a widely accepted tool for tattoo removal, with standardized treatment protocols. Nevertheless, cosmetic tattoo removal may be challenging, because tattoos are performed in proximity of “sensitive” areas and because the ink used in cosmetic tattoos may contain substances that are not standardized and may modify their color at a high temperature. In this case series, we aim to evaluate the effectiveness of Q‐switched (QS) Nd:YAG laser for cosmetic tattoo removal. Our study included 20 patients with cosmetic tattoos of lips, eyebrows, and eyeliners treated with QS Nd:YAG laser. Before treatment, an accurate preoperative assessment was performed, taking into account both patient and tattoo characteristics. Complete tattoo removal was obtained in all the cases and no major complications occurred. Adverse events were mild, mostly represented by erythema. All patients reported a high level of satisfaction. Selective photothermolysis enables complete tattoo removal, even in the case of cosmetic tattoos. However, cosmetic tattoos require a personalized treatment based on an accurate preoperative assessment which takes into account both patient and tattoo characteristics. QS Nd:YAG laser may be considered a good choice in the treatment of cosmetic tattoos, because it enables complete removal with acceptable secondary effects.     

Physical appearance and cosmetic medical treatments: physiological and socio-cultural influences

This paper reviews the physiological and socio-cultural literatures on the role of physical appearance in daily life and its potential influence on the decision to pursue cosmetic medical treatments. The role of physical appearance in evolutionary theory is discussed. Physiological theories of beauty, drawn from both animal and human research, are reviewed. Socio-cultural influences on physical appearance are considered by tracing changes in ideals of beauty over the last century. The paper then reviews the literature concerning the relationship between a person's physical appearance and how they are treated throughout their lives. The growing awareness of this 'beauty bias' may influence the decision to alter one's physical appearance through cosmetic procedures.     

Safety and efficacy of administering abobotulinumtoxinA through a single injection point when treating lateral periocular rhytides

A retrospective analysis was performed to assess efficacy and patient satisfaction associated with AbobotulinumtoxinA for the treatment of dynamic periocular rhytides. When keeping the total dose of ABA the same for each side of the face, one injection point yielded the same efficacy and safety as three separate injection points into the lateral periocular areas.