.png){kind=small}
Skin and Scalp Testing
Laboratory Testing
The skincare market is a key segment of the global beauty industry. TRI has a powerful set of state-of-the-art tools and techniques to study the skin and the scalp. Our tests can be performed as pre-clinical studies within TRI, or as part of a full clinical studies. For the clinical studies TRI will partner with professional clinical testing companies in the US and around the world. TRI also offers skin cell culture studies, in vitro skin penetration studies, and skin lipid analysis. TRI reports are recognized around the world as being unbiased and of high quality.
Measurement Capabilities
TRI offers a wide range of skin testing methods to clients for research studies, pre-clinical studies, clinical studies and for claim support.
Active Deposition and Penetration • Imaging
FTIR and Raman Microspectroscopy
Obtaining a clear picture of how dermatological actives penetrate the skin is vital for optimizing topical formulations and supporting claims. Imaging surface deposition and retention is also important for many applications, particularly for sunscreen and rinse-off systems.
Active Deposition and Penetration • Imaging
Fluorescence Microscopy
Sometimes, for technical reasons, it is extremely challenging, if not impossible, to visualize active penetration in biological tissues using vibrational spectroscopy, especially when the actives are peptides or oils. In these specific cases, the use of fluorescence probe can offer a suitable alternative to visualize the penetration of these components using fluorescence microscopy.
Active Deposition and Penetration • Imaging
Time of Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy (TOF-SIMS) Microscopy
Sometimes, for technical reasons (sensitivity), it will be impossible to visualize active penetration in the skin using FTIR microscopy, confocal Raman microscopy, or fluorescence microscopy. In these instances, Time of Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy (TOF-SIMS) microscopy might offer a suitable alternative for molecular as well as for elemental analysis.
Active Penetration · Quantification
Diffusion Cell Experiments
The clinical efficacy of any cosmetic or medicinal skin active is determined not only by its intrinsic activity, but also by its delivery to the site of action. Pre-clinical skin delivery studies are, therefore, essential in ensuring that active delivery is maximized and that clinical tests are successful.
Skin Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF) Levels
Spectroscopy
An absence of NMF is believed to be linked to skin problems, such as skin dryness and atopic dermatitis (eczema). If you are interested in measuring the levels of NMF to investigate the effects of skin treatments, you might consider using TRI’s unique, tape-stripping and spectroscopy technique.
Sebum Levels & Composition
Spectroscopy
TRI uses FTIR spectroscopy to measure the sebum levels in vivo without the need for any sebum extraction processes. The flexibility provided by the optical probe attached to the IR spectrometer makes it easy to investigate all parts of the body, including the scalp.
Skin, Sebum, and Hair Lipid Composition
Chromatography and Mass Spectroscopy
In some instances, it is important to understand the precise chemical composition of hair, sebum, and skin lipids and how this might change in different conditions like aging, environmental stresses (pollution, UV exposure) or application of specific cosmetic treatments. The chromatography and mass spectrometry facilities at TRI can be used for such in-depth, lipidomic studies.
Skin Biomarker Levels
Analysis of Biomarkers in D-SquameTM tape, SebutapesTM or Skin Cell Cultures
A diverse and complex array of biomarkers can be found in the stratum corneum (SC) and on the skin surface dissolved in sebum and sweat. TRI can analyze tape samples for hormones (e.g. DHT), inflammatory cytokines and growth factors using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELIZA) or colorimetric assays. The same ELISA assays can be used in skin cell culture experiments to evaluate the impact of specific actives on important skin markers like the synthesis of collagen, elastin, etc.
Skin Anti-Aging · Collagen & Elastin Production
Fibroblast Cell Culture
The density of collagen and elastin in the dermis is well known to reduce with chronological aging. Tests on dermal fibroblast cell cultures can investigate the effects of actives on stimulating the production of these important structural proteins.
Imaging Skin Surface Properties and Particulate Deposition
Macroscopic Imaging and Image Processing
High-quality, low-magnification images of the skin taken during clinical studies can be used to characterize a wide range of properties including skin inflammation, skin whitening, skin scaling (dandruff), hair growth and surface particulate deposition.
Advanced Protocols
In order to fully address client and consumer needs, TRI has developed unique protocols to assess product effects and to assist in claims development.
Protection from Sunlight (UV) · Lipid Barrier Integrity
Spectroscopy
TRI protocols for the measurement of SC lipid barrier organization, using FTIR spectroscopy, are used to measure UV effects. Our methods clearly show an increase in lipid disorder with increasing UV exposure and can be used to screen sunscreen effects.