Manmade 'second skin' can hide wrinkles

Skin wrinkles, eye bags and other physical signs of aging are inevitable parts of life. But now scientists say they have developed an invisible elastic film which can be applied to a person's skin to reduce the appearance of such aging signs.

According to an article published on Nature Materials, the "second skin" dries to form a film which "mimics the properties of youthful skin".

At present, the scientists say the skin-like film is being explored for commercial cosmetic applications. However, they are not ruling out the possibility that it could be used in the future for delivering medication and sun protection.

The team, comprising scientists from Harvard Medical School and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, say their prototype product has been tested on the forearms, legs and under-eye bags of a number of volunteers.

As people age, their skin becomes less elastic and less firm, so doesn't appear as taut or youthful as it once did. The second skin effectively locks in moisture and helps boost the elasticity of a person's skin, making it appear firmer, smoother and less wrinkly.

Dr Tamara Griffiths from the British Association of Dermatologists, said: "The results [with the polymer film] appear to be comparable to surgery, without the associated risks. Further research is needed, but this is a novel and very promising approach to a common problem. I will follow its development with interest."