Journal of

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Background and Aim: Shampoos are surfactant systems to clean hair and body. Two kinds of surfactants are generally used in shampoo formulations: anionic and amphoteric. These agents, especially anionic ones may cause skin irritation and dryness after bathing. So, using a simple and fast method to determine the types and concentrations of surfactants can help to choose a product with high efficacy and low side effects. This study was aimed to determine surfactant concentrations using potentiometric titration method. Methods: Ten hair and body shampoos were selected from Iran's market to determine concentration of anionic and amphoteric surfactants using potentiometric titration method with prepared standard solution. Results: All formulations contain both surfactants, but one formulation did not have the amphoteric one. Conclusion: When we want to choose a shampoo for irritated and dry skin, formulations with more amphoteric surfactant should be chosen because they are much milder on the skin in comparison with anionic surfactants. Potentiometric method which was described in this study is one of the easiest ways to find out which shampoo is suitable for each patient.

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The use of sunscreens should also be recommended in order to work against all kind of ultarviolet (UV)-induced skin damage such as photoallergies, skin wrinkles, sunburn or even skin cancer. Sunscreens contain chemical filters (organic absorb regularly UVB radiation) and physical filters (e.g., TiO2 and ZnO). The second group has been said to reflect and scatter UVB and UVA radiation. TiO2 is also extensively used in sunscreen formulations as active broadband sunscreens that blocks both UVB (290–320 nm) and UVA (320–400 nm). Although titanium dioxide is listed as a safe pigment, with no known adverse effects when it is used in cosmetics, but we should concern about ultrafine or nanoparticle form of titanium dioxide. If titanium dioxide particles used to act as a sunscreen are small enough, they can penetrate the cells, leading to photocatalysis within the cell, and cause DNA damage after exposure to sunlight.

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Although ultraviolet rays constitute a small portion of the sunlight, they are destructive on skin. Ultraviolet rays cause sunburn, skin damage and skin cancers. Sunscreens are one of the most widely used cosmetic products which protect skin from cancer or other damages. There are two categories of sunscreen agents: chemical and physical. Physical sunscreens containing zinc oxide work through two mechanisms of reflection and scattering. Physical sunscreens are non-allergenic, non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Currently, by using zinc oxide nanoparticles in sunscreen formulation, both prevention of harmful sun rays and receiving cosmetic benefits are achieved.

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Background and Aim: Sunscreens are an important part of photoprotection strategy. They are exposed to strict safety evaluation using human subjects such as in vivo studies of skin irritation. Biophysical parameters measurements could be used as fast and noninvasive methods to measure any destructive effect of cosmetic formulations on skin application sites. Methods: Five sunscreens were selected from Iran's market to determine changes in Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL), stratum corneum hydration, pH, melanin and hemoglobin contents by biometric assessments with MPA 580Cutometer®. Results: There was no significant change in skin pH, melanin and hemoglobin contents before and after sunscreen application. Significant change in TEWL and stratum corneum hydration after use of some sunscreens might be contributed by the occlusive and humectant ingredients which used in base cream. Conclusion: Application of the studied sunscreens on human volunteers has not shown any adverse effects and these formulations could be recommended to use.

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Background and Aim: Moisturizers have important roles in the treatment of dry skin. Their safety has to be evaluated on human volunteers in order to assess their potential skin irritation. Measurements of skin biophysical parameters can be used as fast and noninvasive methods to assess any harmful effect of cosmetic formulations on the skin sites where those products are applied. Methods: Two moisturizers were selected from Iran's market to determine the changes in Trans Epidermal Water Loss (TEWL), stratum corneum hydration, pH, melanin and hemoglobin contents by biometric assessments with MPA 580 Cutometer®. Results: There was no any significant change in TEWL, skin pH, melanin and hemoglobin contents before and after products application. Stratum corneum hydration was increased after application of Neu Derm Renutrive Honey Shea from 0.09 to 0.39 (P0.001). Neu Derm Optimal Hydrosense increased stratum corneum hydration from 0.23 to 0.48 (P0.001). Conclusion: Application of the studied moisturizers on human volunteers did not show any adverse effect. So, those products could be recommended for safe use. Significant changes in the stratum corneum hydration associated with application of each moisturizer were related to humectant ingredients which were used in each product.

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The function of the horny layer of the skin as a barrier is to protect the underlying tissues from infection, dryness, and mechanical stress. Disruption of this function results in increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and is associated with conditions like atopic dermatitis and other chronic skin diseases. Moisturizers have been shown to improve these conditions through restoration of the integrity of the stratum corneum, acting as a barrier to water loss and replacement of skin lipids and other compounds. Also, moisturizers are commonly used to reduce fine lines and make the skin appear smooth and soft. They contain varying combinations of emollients, occlusives, and humectants to achieve their beneficial effects, and there are an overwhelming number of formulations available.

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Topical corticosteroids (TCs) are very useful in the treatment of some skin disorders such as eczema and psoriasis. TCs exhibit potent anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative effects responsible for their efficacy in the treatment of skin disorders. TCs can be classified into different groups according to their potency that depends on the intrinsic activity of the corticosteroid molecule, the characteristics of the vehicle (cream, ointment, lotion) that directly influence patient’s compliance and may modify penetration through the skin. British National Formulary classified them into four potency groups with Class I grouping the most potent molecules (e.g. clobetasol propionate) and Class IV the least potent (e.g. hydrocortisone). In contrast, the American classification considers seven potency groups, with super potent, potent, upper mid-strength, mid-strength, lower mid-strength, mild and least potent.

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Background and Aim: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common form of alopecia in men, worldwide and topical minoxidil appears to be the most effective and safe treatment for AGA beside oral finasteride. Safety assessment of topical minoxidil formulation could be conducted using in vivo studies on human volunteers. Using skin biophysical parameters is a fast and noninvasive method for safety assessment of topical products.

Methods: A topical combination of Minoxidil 5% solution in combination with chamomile extract from Iran’s pharmaceutical market tested on the skin of the forearm of 15 healthy volunteers. Changes in transepidermal water loss (TEWL), stratum corneum hydration, pH, melanin and hemoglobin contents have been evaluated, using biometric assessments with MPA 580 Cutometer®.

Results: There was not any significant change in skin hydration (P=0.692), TEWL (P=0.191), stratum corneum pH (P=0.613), melanin (P=0.533), and hemoglobin (P=0.579) contents before and after topical minoxidil application.

Conclusion: No significant change detected in skin erythema and assessed parameters Application of minoxidil 5% + chamomile 7% topical solution on human volunteers has not shown any adverse effects and these formulations could be recommended to use.

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Background and Aim: Dermatitis or eczema is an itchy skin disorder which is usually caused by the skin inflammatory reaction in response to combination of genetic and environmental factors. This study was aimed to assess the safety of anti-dermatitis creams and possible side effects on human volunteers through measuring the skin biophysical parameters with non-invasive methods.

Methods: Two groups of 15 adults and 15 children as healthy volunteers participated for safety assessment of three anti atopic and contact dermatitis creams. All measurements were done using Cutometer® MPA 580 and the changes in the rate of transepidermal water loss (TEWL), stratum corneum hydration, content of melanin and hemoglobin (erythema) and skin pH were recorded. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS software version 20 and P<0.05 were considered as significant.

Results: In this trial, no statistically significant changes in skin biophysical parameters including TEWL, melanin, erythema and pH was observed. The stratum corneum hydration on the applicatioins areas of Dermalex Repair Eczema, Dermalex Repair Contact Eczema, Dermalex Repair Eczema for Babies & Children compared to the control sides were significantly different (P=0.002, 0.001 and 0.013). This significant difference was due to emollient or humectant compounds in these creams.

Conclusion: Because of no adverse changes in the skin biophysical parameters, the studied anti-dermatitis creams could be conisdered as safe products. In addition, due to self-assessment results of adverse effects by the participants, no significant adverse effect was seen.

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Application of sunscreens is one of the most important ways for skin protection against sunburn, early skin aging and skin cancer.
Due to variety of sunscreen products, it is necessary to assure their protection ability against the sun’s damages. Performance assessment of sunscreens against UVB expressed by sun protection factor. Due to great cost of determination methods of this factor in foreign countries, developing a comprehensive protocol for in vivo SPF determination in Iran would have distinct benefits.
In this study four international standards have been reviewed and compared for Sun Protection Factor (SPF) determination including ISO24444, FDA2011, AS/NZS 2604:2012 and CEN 2006. The general process of in vivo SPF determination is similar in these protocols but there are some obvious differences in details that leading to advantages and disadvantages for each of them.
In this study a complete document were collected, then regarding to available facilities and with cooperation of Iran food and drug organization a comprehensive in vivo SPF determination protocol will be developed.

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Sunscreen products are among the most important ways for skin protection against sunburn, early skin aging and skin cancer. Due to existing wide variation of sunscreens, it is necessary to assure their protection ability against the sun damage. Performance assessment of sunscreen products against UVA is expressed by sun UVA protection factor (UVA-PF). Because currently these factors are determined in foreign countries at high cost, developing a comprehensive protocol for UVA-PF determination in Iran would have distinct benefits.
The two standards, CEN 2006 and FDA 2007, introduce persistent pigment darkening (PPD) method for UVA-PF in vivo determination, while following the same principles are different in details. For in vitro UVA-PF determination, 4 standards CEN 2006, FDA 2007, FDA 2011 and ISO 24443 provided protocols, which two of them (CEN 2006 and FDA 2011) proposed critical wavelength method. On the other side, FDA 2007 offered modified Diffey method. ISO 24443 approved that and considering in vitro UVA-PF determination correlated with PPD method.
In this review, complete documents were collected, and the available facilities and setups, with cooperation of Iran Center for Food and Drug Control Labs, a comprehensive UVA-PF determination protocol for Iranian sunscreen products was developed.

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Pediculosis infection is seen in all age group and different societies and several treatment have been suggested and marketed. In this study, we try to explain the difference of anti-lice products in Iran. Also it is necessary to mention that Anti-lice products are not effective alone, therefore to eliminate head lice infection the use of appropriate anti-lice combs is recommended.

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Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory disease which presents with condition with a prevalence erythema and inflammatory lesions on central face.
Rosacea has significant impact on quality of life of patients hence lowering confidence and harmful for social positions Study of effective medications improves quality of life of patients. In this study we tried to review effective medical treatments for this disease.

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Habits since the introduction of the first commercial antiperspirant and deodorant, the use of these products have played an increasing role in a person's personal care. This article studies the physiology of human perspiration and responsible compounds for body odor. It also describes the function, classification, and differences between antiperspirants and deodorants.

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Full term newborns have a skin that rapidly develops towards adult skin. From the anatomical point of view, the differences are limited, but some changes at birth are responsible for the physiological differences between the skin of infants and adults. Newborns skin exhibits the same barrier function and absorption properties as adults, but external conditions for newborns may be different from those for adults, and these differences may lead to different skin absorption profiles between these two groups. Also, a baby's temperature regulation (transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and sweating) is not completely developed and the skin becomes easily infected, which is mainly due to changes in pH and immaturity of the skins defense system. This implies why only cosmetics with safe ingredients should be used for newborns. The initial aim is to formulate a simple, pure, gentle and pathogen-free product. Systemic side effects are not expected with washable products but should be taken into account for leave-on products. Great attention should be given to cosmetic products used in the napkin area, especially where there is a possibility of rash. If necessary, more safety precautions should be taken for these products.

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Microneedles consist of micron-sized projections similar to needles. They are capable of piercing through the stratum corneum and increase the permeation of active ingredients. Besides active pharmaceutical ingredients, microneedles can also deliver cosmetic agents, biotherapeutics like insulin and vaccines and also are used in diagnostic purposes. This article examines the types of microneedles. It also describes the function, classification, and differences between them.