title: Reduction of facial wrinkles depth by sleeping on copper oxide-containing pillowcases: a double blind, placebo controlled, parallel, randomized clinical study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Copper up-regulates the secretion of extracellular skin proteins and stabilizes the extracellular matrix once formed. As copper can be absorbed through intact skin, we reasoned that sleeping on pillowcases containing copper-impregnated fibers would reduce skin wrinkles.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Demonstrate that sleeping on pillowcases containing copper-impregnated fibers reduce facial skin wrinkles.
  
  
  METHODS
  An 8-week, double blind, parallel, randomized study was carried out, in which healthy volunteers, aged 30-60, used either copper oxide-containing pillowcases (1% weight/weight) (test group, n = 30) or control pillowcases without copper (control group, n = 31). Skin conditions of the subjects were evaluated by visual grading by two expert graders and by 3D Image Analysis GFM PRIMOS(®) at baseline (before treatment) and following 4 and 8 weeks of sleeping on the pillowcases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The use of the copper oxide-containing pillowcase resulted in significant decrease of crow's feet after 4 (P = 0.01) and 8 (P = 0.002) weeks, but none was observed in the control group, as determined by the expert graders. On the basis of the 3D measurements, three roughness (R) parameters were improved after 4 and 8 weeks (P < 0.02) and the Rmax parameter at 8 weeks (P = 0.016) in the test group, but there were no changes in the R-parameters during the course of the study in the control group. The average reduction per month in the R-parameters was approximately 9%. No adverse reactions were observed or reported during the 8 weeks study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sleeping on copper oxide-containing pillowcases results in reduction of wrinkles depth and overall improvement of skin appearance.
authors.affiliation: Dermapro Co., Ltd., Skin Research Center, Bangbae-Dong, Seocho-Gu, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Ji Hwoon
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Baek
authors.forename: Mi Ae
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.forename: Jae Sook
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Koh
authors.forename: Gadi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Borkow
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D001512:Bedding and Linens; D003300:Copper / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D003300:Copper; C000520:cuprous oxide