Scientists have developed what they claim is a high-tech skin patch which could end the embarrassment of acne, the most common type of skin condition, mainly affecting adolescents.
The patch, which looks like an ordinary plaster, works by producing an electric charge to kill the bacteria linked to the condition ;the overnight treatment has no side-effects , say the scientists at Oplon, an Israel based technology company. In fact, results from a small test show that acne spots almost disappeared within three days, and that spots in the area around the patch also improved.
The patch consists of a mesh-like material impregnated with special molecules; when these come into contact with the moisture on the skin, they create a tiny electrical field in which bacteria cannot survive. The patch appears to have a knock-on effect on the skin around it, helping break down dead skin and bacteria. The mesh also contains salicylic acid, which removes the dead skin blocking the follicles, and azelaic acid, to kill bacteria in the pores, the Daily Mail reported.
A large trial is now on the cards. Around 100 people will wear the patches overnight or for around six hours. The study results are expected by the end of the year, and the patch itself could be available within two years. Although the plaster is designed to treat only one spot, the scientists are also looking at the idea of a larger pad that can be cut to the size the user needs.
Traditional treatments for acne include creams, such as benzoyl peroxide, which work by preventing the dead skin blocking hair follicles and killing bacteria on the skin. Another option is antibiotics to kill off the bacteria . However, many of these treatments can take weeks to be effective and some carry a risk of side-effects.
PTI
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