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High spatial resolution study of human skin using synchrotron infrared microscopy: application to the penetration of external agents
Author(s) -
Gross N.,
Marull S.,
Fromageot C.,
Lebel M.,
Baret J.M.,
Barbier A.,
Ortega J.M.,
Dumas P.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
international journal of cosmetic science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.532
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1468-2494
pISSN - 0142-5463
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-2494.2004.00244_5.x
Subject(s) - stratum corneum , penetration (warfare) , chemistry , human skin , synchrotron , biophysics , microscopy , optics , biology , physics , mathematics , genetics , operations research
Human skin sections were studied using synchrotron‐powered infrared microscopy. The superior lateral resolution achieved with this technique (diffraction‐limited spot sizes) allows the detailed analysis of the biocomposition of the skin layers. It is shown that highly organized lipids are present in the stratum corneum, as evidenced by a slight frequency difference in the symmetric stretch mode of the methylene groups. Biochemical images were generated showing the precise location of the lipids, proteins and collagen across the skin section. More enhanced images were generated using a statistical approach (fuzzy C‐means clustering). Penetration of two external agents (cyanophenol and a cosmetic compound, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate) was studied. The penetration pathway across the stratum corneum is favored at locations of lower lipid concentration. Both compounds penetrated into the epidermis, but neither of them induced a change in the protein secondary structure. It was shown that hair follicle is a favored penetration pathway for these agents.