A layer of protective skin may eventually do everything from tightening bags under your eyes, to shielding you from the sun's damaging rays to delivering drugs and vitamins. The product is now under development at Olivo Laboratories. Scientists at MIT, Massachusetts General Hospital and Living Proof worked on the product initially.
Researchers explain that over time skin loses its elasticity and this can be exacerbated by sun exposure. According to MIT, "This impairs the skin's ability to protect against extreme temperatures, toxins, microorganisms, radiation and injury."
The second skin, a silicone-based polymer which becomes invisible when dry, is delivered in a two-step process. First there's a cream followed by a catalyst that induces the polymer to form a strong film that lasts 24 hours.
Olivo CEO Amir Nashat says his company will initially focus on medical applications like treating skin conditions like eczema and dermatitis. Nashat says the skin can also shield scars.
A paper describing the second skin appeared in the May 9 online issue of Nature Materials.
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