Abstract: The present invention features a method of treating at least one sign of aging on the skin selected from the group consisting of enhancing the elasticity of said skin, enhancing the firmness of said skin, and reducing the appearance of wrinkles or cellulite on the skin, by administering to skin in need of such treatment a composition comprising at least one compound of the formula I or formula II: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 independently, are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 hydroxyalkyl, or a cosmetically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: The invention features a device for applying a fluid composition to the skin, said device including (i) a reservoir containing said composition, said composition including at least one tensioning polymer and (ii) a skin-contactable surface having at least one opening, wherein said device is adapted such that said fluid composition may be extruded from such reservoir to said skin-contacting surface through said at least one openings.

Abstract: An imaging station for taking a plurality of digital images of a subject under a plurality of illuminating conditions and storing and analyzing the digital images, includes a housing, containing the digital image capturing apparatus, like a camera or video recorder, a computer for processing the image data and one or more displays for displaying images of the person. The imaging station aids in controlling lighting during image capture and may be used to optimally position the subject for imaging. The computer may be programmed to conduct various image processing functions and may be networked to allow image sharing. A display which may be provided on the exterior of the housing allows an operator to visualize the subject and to control the imaging process. The imaging station may be used for teaching purposes.

Abstract: The present invention features a method of treating at least one sign of aging on the skin selected from the group consisting of enhancing the elasticity of said skin, enhancing the firmness of said skin, and reducing the appearance of wrinkles or cellulite on the skin, by administering to skin in need of such treatment a composition comprising at least one compound of the formula I or formula II: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 independently, are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 hydroxyalkyl, or a cosmetically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: An imaging station for taking a plurality of digital images of a subject under a plurality of illuminating conditions and storing and analyzing the digital images, includes a housing, containing the digital image capturing apparatus, like a camera or video recorder, a computer for processing the image data and one or more displays for displaying images of the person. The imaging station aids in controlling lighting during image capture and may be used to optimally position the subject for imaging. The computer may be programmed to conduct various image processing functions and may be networked to allow image sharing. A display which may be provided on the exterior of the housing allows an operator to visualize the subject and to control the imaging process. The imaging station may be used for teaching purposes.

Abstract: The invention features a device for applying a fluid composition to the skin, said device including (i) a reservoir containing said composition, said composition including at least one tensioning polymer and (ii) a skin-contactable surface having at least one opening, wherein said device is adapted such that said fluid composition may be extruded from such reservoir to said skin-contacting surface through said at least one openings.

Abstract: The present invention features a method of treating at least one sign of aging on the skin selected from the group consisting of enhancing the elasticity of said skin, enhancing the firmness of said skin, and reducing the appearance of wrinkles or cellulite on the skin, by administering to skin in need of such treatment a composition comprising at least one compound of the formula I or formula II: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 independently, are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 hydroxyalkyl, or a cosmetically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: The present invention features a method of screening a compound for potential efficacy for the treatment of at least one sign of aging on the skin selected from the group consisting of enhancing the elasticity of said skin, enhancing the firmness of said skin, or reducing the appearance of wrinkles on the skin, said method comprising contacting one or more skin cells with said compound and measuring the ability of said compound to contract said one or more skin cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of determining skin anisotropy of a subject by measuring rates of propagation of mechanical energy between a mechanical energy generator and a mechanical energy detector along a plurality of directions of an expanse of skin wherein each of the directions are from about 0° to about 10° in separation relative at least one other of the directions and at least two of the directions are from about 30° to about 180° in separation relative to each other.