Changes in skin mechanical properties after long-term application of cream containing green tea extract

Aging Clin Exp Res. 2011 Oct-Dec;23(5-6):333-6. doi: 10.1007/BF03325232.

Abstract

Background and aims: We studied longterm application of cream containing green tea extract, to obtain knowledge of its effects on epidermal mechanics by 2-mm diameter Cutometer probe.

Methods: Using this non-invasive device, we assessed the effects of green tea extract cream on skin mechanical properties. Healthy male volunteers (n=10) were included in this study, which lasted 60 days. The biomechanical properties of the skin were examined by a non-invasive suction device (Cutometer) and the cheeks were defined as the test area.

Results: Statistically significant (p<0.05) results were notable for the R6 (Uv/Ue) parameter with respect to time (ANOVA); R0, R2 (Ua/Uf) and R7 (Ur/Uf) parameters were found statistically not significant by ANOVA. This study demonstrates that green tea formulation has a certain effect on R6 (Uv/Ue) parameter when applied regularly for a certain period of time.

Conclusions: These results indicate that the formulation has no pronounced overall effects on skin elastic or biological properties, but significant R6 (Uv/Ue) values indicate that it does have definite effects on the viscoelastic properties of the skin.

Publication types

  • Controlled Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Topical
  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Antioxidants / administration & dosage
  • Biological Products / administration & dosage
  • Camellia sinensis / chemistry*
  • Catechin / administration & dosage
  • Catechin / chemistry
  • Elasticity / drug effects*
  • Emollients / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Plant Extracts / administration & dosage*
  • Single-Blind Method
  • Skin / anatomy & histology
  • Skin / drug effects*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Biological Products
  • Emollients
  • Plant Extracts
  • Catechin