Effects of alpha-lipoic acid on the biomechanical properties of the skin

Background: The Cutometer MPA 580® (Courage and Khazaka, Germany) is a well-established instrument for the accurate and reproducible measurement of the biomechanical properties of the skin. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of 4 formulations containing 2.5% and 5.0% of α-lipoic acid and ascorbic palmitate or butylhydroxytoluene on skin elasticity and firmness and to assess the equivalence between alternative parameters (Q0, Q1 and Q3) and the traditional parameters R0, R2, R5, R6, all determined with the same cutometer.
Methods: Measure of in vivo firmness and elasticity of the skin was performed using R and Q parameters measured in the same device.
Results:  Different statistical analysis were applied to the results obtained from the parameters (Q0, Q1 and Q3) and the traditional parameters R0, R2, of the in vivo measurements after the application of the four formulations during 28 days. A correlation between both types of measurements was demonstrate.
Conclusion: A four-week treatment with a cream containing 5% α-lipoic acid improves the biomechanical characteristics of the skin, thus contributing to the protection against photo-aging. Both methods of measurement proved to be equivalent.