1. COSMETIC EFFECTIVENESS OF TOPICALLY APPLIED HYDROLYSED KERATIN PEPTIDES AND LIPIDS DERIVED FROM WOOL C. BARBA, S. MÉNDEZ, A. RODDICK-LANZILOTTA, R. KELLY, J.L. PARRA and L. CODERCH Skin Research and Technology 2008; 14: 243-248

2. INTRODUCTION WOOL Complex macromolecular structure composed primarily of keratin proteins COMPOSITION External lipids Internal wool lipids (IWL) No keratin proteins Keratin proteins (85-95%) Give wool desirable properties such as strength, insolubility and moisture regain. Rich in cholesterol, free fatty acids, cholesterol sulphate and ceramides. Form liposomes with stable bilayer structure. Lipids Proteins

4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION SKIN CAPACITANCE Important increase on skin capacitance in the sites to which keratin samples were applied during all the treatment period.       P<0.05, calculated between samples and placebo

5. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION SKIN ELASTICITY Increase in skin elasticity for the zones to which the keratin peptides were applied and for the zones treated with IWL liposomes.      P<0.05, calculated between samples and placebo

6. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION SORPTION-DESORPTION TEST Higher values of initial absorption of water and a greater capacity for retention observed for the areas treated with the keratin samples.