An elastic second skin

• Published in: Nature materials Vol. 15; no. 8; pp. 911 - 918
• Main Authors: Yu, Betty, Kang, Soo-Young, Akthakul, Ariya, Ramadurai, Nithin, Pilkenton, Morgan, Patel, Alpesh, Nashat, Amir, Anderson, Daniel G., Sakamoto, Fernanda H., Gilchrest, Barbara A., Anderson, R. Rox, Langer, Robert
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 01.08.2016; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: 639/301/54; 639/925; Activation; Biomaterials; Biomedical materials; Condensed Matter Physics; Crosslinking; Crosslinking polymerization; Curing; Elastic constants; Elasticity; Elongation; Energy loss; Human behavior; Human performance; Matching; Materials Science; Nanoscience; Nanotechnology; Optical and Electronic Materials; Polymers; Skin
• ISSN: 1476-1122; 1476-4660; 1476-4660
• DOI: 10.1038/nmat4635

We report the synthesis and application of an elastic, wearable crosslinked polymer layer (XPL) that mimics the properties of normal, youthful skin. XPL is made of a tunable polysiloxane-based material that can be engineered with specific elasticity, contractility, adhesion, tensile strength and occlusivity. XPL can be topically applied, rapidly curing at the skin interface without the need for heat- or light-mediated activation. In a pilot human study, we examined the performance of a prototype XPL that has a tensile modulus matching normal skin responses at low strain (<40%), and that withstands elongations exceeding 250%, elastically recoiling with minimal strain-energy loss on repeated deformation. The application of XPL to the herniated lower eyelid fat pads of 12 subjects resulted in an average 2-grade decrease in herniation appearance in a 5-point severity scale. The XPL platform may offer advanced solutions to compromised skin barrier function, pharmaceutical delivery and wound dressings. A skin-conforming crosslinked polymer layer formulated for easy topical application mimics the properties of normal, youthful skin and improves the appearance of herniated lower eyelid fat pads.