Detection thresholds of capsaicin : A new test to assess facial skin neurosensitivity

The goal of this study was to assess the accuracy/reliability of a new test designed to measure cutaneous neurosensitivity. The test was carried out on a random population of 150 healthy adult women and was based on the determination of individual detection thresholds of topically applied capsaicin....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of cosmetic science 2005-05, Vol.56 (3), p.153-166
Main Authors: JOURDAIN, Roland, BASTIEN, Philippe, DE LACHARRIERE, Olivier, RUBINSTENN, Gilles
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Administration, Cutaneous
Adolescent
Adult
Biological and medical sciences
Capsaicin - pharmacology
Dermatology
Diseases of the skin. Cosmetics
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Face
Female
Humans
Hyperalgesia - chemically induced
Hyperalgesia - physiopathology
Irritants - pharmacology
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Nociceptors - drug effects
Nociceptors - physiology
Radiotherapy. Instrumental treatment. Physiotherapy. Reeducation. Rehabilitation, orthophony, crenotherapy. Diet therapy and various other treatments (general aspects)
Sensory Thresholds - physiology
Skin - drug effects
Skin - innervation
Skin involvement in other diseases. Miscellaneous. General aspects
Surveys and Questionnaires
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Summary:The goal of this study was to assess the accuracy/reliability of a new test designed to measure cutaneous neurosensitivity. The test was carried out on a random population of 150 healthy adult women and was based on the determination of individual detection thresholds of topically applied capsaicin. Five capsaicin concentrations were used in 10% ethanol aqueous solution (3.16 x 10(-5)%; 1 x 10(-4)%; 3.16 x 10(-4)%; 1 x 10(-3)%; 3.16 x 10(-3)%). The methodology used to attain the detection threshold was capsaicin application in increasing concentration on the nasolabial folds. The vehicle was simultaneously applied following a split-face, single-blind plan. The test was stopped as soon as the subject reported a specific sensation lasting more than 30 seconds on the capsaicin side. The safety of the test was judged as excellent by the panelists since all the reported sensations were considered as slightly or moderately perceptible. The test allowed the classification of the test population according to six threshold levels corresponding to the sensitive reaction to one of the five capsaicin concentrations and to the absence of sensitivity to the highest concentration. Surprisingly, the distribution of the population was not unimodal and seemed to reveal the existence of two different sub-groups: individuals with a low capsaicin detection threshold and those with a high threshold. These two sub-populations strongly differed in their respective self-perception of sensitive skin. The higher the self-declared sensitive skin incidence was, the lower the detection threshold was. This new test of skin neurosensitivity is easy, quick, and truly painless. It appears to be a promising tool for the cosmetic diagnosis of sensitive skin.
ISSN:1525-7886
2689-5153