Abstract
Cutaneous aging is a complex biological process in which alterations resulting from both innate aging and photodamage are superimposed in the sun-exposed areas of skin. Profound changes have been demonstrated in the dermal connective tissues, among them the elastic fibers that provide physiologic properties of elasticity and resilience to the normal skin. In innate aging there is loss of elastic fibers, while in sun-damaged skin there is massive accumulation of elastotic material that has, however, lost the functional elastic properties. As a result of these changes, combined with other extracellular matrix alterations, skin becomes loose and sags with loss of recoil with advancing age. A bimetal, 0.1% copper–zinc malonate-containing cream (ELASTIderm™, Obagi Medical Products), has recently been shown to improve the appearance of sun-damaged facial skin when applied twice daily for up to 6–8 weeks. This improvement was accompanied by repair of the elastic fiber network. While the precise mechanisms of these regenerative processes are not clear at present, this compound appears to lead to clinical improvement through its effects on the expression of the elastin gene in the dermis.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
Jouni Uitto has served as a Consultant to Obagi Medical Products (Long Beach, CA), but has not participated in any clinical trials testing ELASTIderm™. He has no commercial interest in this company or its products. The author has no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.