Scientists developed a new elastic, wearable crosslinked polymer layer (XPL) that can temporarily protect, tighten skin and smooth wrinkles. The silicone-based polymer can be applied on the skin as a thin, imperceptible coating, mimicing the mechanical and elastic properties of healthy, youthful skin. With further development, researchers hope, it could deliver drugs for treating skin conditions, such as eczema and other types of dermatitis.
Credits
Photo: Melanie Gonick/MIT
Research:
An elastic second skin
Betty Yu, Soo-Young Kang, Ariya Akthakul, Nithin Ramadurai, Morgan Pilkenton, Alpesh Patel, Amir Nashat, Daniel G. Anderson, Fernanda H. Sakamoto, Barbara A. Gilchrest, R. Rox Anderson & Robert Langer
Nature Materials doi:10.1038/nmat4635
