Practical Aspects of Cosmetic Testing: How to Set up a Scientific Study in Skin Physiology

Skin physiology assessment is moving rapidly from a descriptive approach to a deeper understanding of biophysical and biochemical processes in the stratum corneum, e.g. on stratum corneum barrier function as well on stratum corneum hydration. The research with bioengineering methods offers now reliable and reproducible approaches for product testing in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry as well as in basic research. This cookbook is intended to give basic information regarding skin physiology, the assessment of skin functions in controlled studies using non-invasive biophysical instruments. It provides basic knowledge on how to plan, perform and evaluate scientific studies. The authors are recognized expert in the field and provide comprehensive chapters with specific emphasis on the practical aspects of non-invasive measurements.

About the Author

Joachim W. Fluhr, M.D., is an Adjunct Professor at the Department of Dermatology, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, and a Research Associate at the Dept. of Dermatology and Allergology. After completing his medical training at the University of Mainz, Germany and the University of Strasbourg, France, and earning his degree in 1992, he served as a dermatology resident at the Hospital of Karlsruhe, and visiting researcher at IRCCS Polyclinic S. Matteo, Pavia, Italy, earning a postdoctoral fellowship in 2002 after two years with P. Elias and K. Feingold. Dr Fluhr is board member of the International Society for Biophysics and Imaging of the Skin (ISBS). He has authored over 180 international, peer-reviewed original publications (H-Index 63), 250 presentations at international meetings (both oral and poster), 20 book chapters and edited 6 books. He is an associate editor of the journals Skin Pharmacology and Physiology; Cosmetics , and an editorial board member of the journals Skin Research and Technology , International Journal of Cosmetic Science , Biomedical and Biopharmaceutical Research and International Journal of Dermatology and Venereology .