Emulsions, Microemulsions, and Lyotropic Liquid Crystals - Surface and Colloid Chemistry: Principles and Applications - page 197

before invasive procedures or handling of highly susceptible patients), a
waterless, alcohol-based product may be used.
2. In clinical areas such as the operating room and neonatal and transplant
units, shorter, less traumatic washing regimens may be used instead of
lengthy scrub protocols with brushes or other harsh mechanical action.
3. Effective skin emollients or barrier creams may be used in skin care regi-
mens and procedures for staff (and possibly patients as well).
4. Skin moisturizing products should be carefully assessed for compatibility
with any topical antimicrobial products being used and for physiological
effects on the skin.
A strong influence of preoperative showers on staphylococcal skin colonization has
been reported for antiseptic skin cleansers. A comparison of the effects of preoperative
whole-body bathing with detergent-alone and with detergent-containing chlorhexi-
dine gluconate on the frequency of wound infections after clean surgery, comparison
of preoperative bathing with chlorhexidine detergent and nonmedicated soap in the
prevention of wound infection, prevention of dryness and eczema of the hands of
hospital staff by emulsion cleansing instead of washing with soap, and measurements
by transmission electron microscopy of “dry” skin before and after application of
a moisturizing cream have all been carried out. A correlation between pH and the
irritant effects of cleansers marketed for dry skin has been investigated. A novel sun-
screen system based on tocopherol acetate incorporated into solid lipid nanoparticles
has also been reported, as well as various LC applications in skin care cosmetics.
Intercellular lipids of the stratum corneum contribute threefold to the mainte-
nance of a healthy skin: by hydration, cell adhesion, and reduction of transepidermal
water loss. All of these functions can be attributed to the self-assembly property
of the amphiphilic molecules of the stratum corneum lipids. A new type of skin
care product called Lamellar Gel was developed, which contains a (synthesized)
pseudoceramide. Its structure is similar to that of ceramide found among the stratum
corneum lipids, which allows it to be compatible with intramolecular interactions.
Compared to regular emulsions, the Lamellar Gel demonstrated better skin care
characteristics regarding permeability, skin hydration, and skin occlusion. This was
attributed to the fact that it formed the same self-organizing structure as natural
stratum corneum lipids, hence showing a high affinity to the skin. A high mois-
turizing effect was observed as Lamellar Gel combines the benefits of both O/W
and W/O emulsions: it provides the same initial hydration as an O/W emulsion and,
at the same time, the same occlusivity as an W/O emulsion. Transepidermal water
loss increases under dry environmental conditions. This especially affects the skin
around the eyes, where the skin is very thin, and wrinkles are very easily formed.
Treatment with Lamellar Gel removed these wrinkles promptly and hydrated the
stratum corneum for a long time.
A novel sunscreen system based on tocopherol acetate incorporated into solid
lipid nanoparticles has been developed. In recent years, solid lipid nanoparticles
(SLN) have been introduced as a novel carrier system for drugs and cosmetics. It
has been found that SLN possess characteristics of physical UV-blockers on their
own, thus offering the possibility of developing a more effective sunscreen system