Make wrinkles and eyebags disappear with ‘Second Skin’

Wrinkles and eyebags could be a thing of the past thanks to researchers at Harvard and M.I.T. who have developed a ‘second ‘skin’ possibly reversing not only signs of aging but treating other common skin conditions.

A report appearing in the journal Nature Materials stated an elastic, wearable crosslinked polymer layer (XPL) can mimic the properties of normal, youthful skin. Better yet, the chemicals used to make this ‘second skin’ are considered safe by the Food and Drug Administration.  The researchers are still conducting pilot studies and are gathering more data to submit to the Food and Drug Administration for marketing approval in the coming months.

Siloxanes are the chemicals used forming long chains of repeating units called polymers. The polymer, a clear liquid, is applied in the first step.  The second step is to apply a product that links the polymers together.  Depending on where ‘second skin’ is to be used on and for what reason will determine permeability of it.  If it’s being used on undereye bags, it will be more perameable than if it’s being used to hold medication in place.  A solution that dissolves the polymer is used to remove it.

XLP can be applied topically where it quickly cures at the skins interface without the need for heat- or light-medicated activation.  Of the 170 participants studied, none reported any problems of irritation or allergic reaction.

The catalyst for development of second skin occurred over a decade ago when a biotechnology company called Living Proof, approached Dr. R. Rox Anderson, a professor of dermatology at Harvard Medical School inquired if a polymer could be used on skin to restore the elastic nature of it.  Wrinkles and sagging are due to loss of elastic recoil of the skin.  Second skin appears to meet the qualifications of a polymer that is spreadable, has good adherence with the necessary mechanical properties and most importantly, is safe.

The unique aspect of this product is it can’t be washed away by sweat or water nor does it end up being wasted on clothing, sheets, or wherever else that won’t benefit from it. 

The development of ‘second skin’ has been met with cautious optimism by medical professionals.   A professor of dermatology at Northwestern University, Dr. Murad Alam, stated “This is a first step and all these applications will require further work.  But if the testing is successful, I think it will be very popular.”

Another professor of biomedical engineering at Columbia, Gordana Vanjak-Novakovic, was more enthusiastic saying “What they have done is design a clever biomaterial that recapitulates the properties of young and healthy skin.  They can use it as sort of a Band-Aid over old and aging skin and get very significant results.”

Second skin not only shows promise of turning back the clock on aging skin but also is expected to be able to treat other skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis by covering dry itchy patches that moistens and soothes. 

Another use of second skin is to keep in place skin medications such as cortisone creams to where they don’t have 90 percent of the cream ending up on clothing or bed sheets with only about 10 percent being absorbed into the skin.