Abstract: Isolated, substantially pure natural or synthetic polypeptides comprising cathepsin L type cysteine proteases, or polypeptide fragments or polypeptide admixtures obtained via proteolysis thereof, are useful for reducing intercorneocyte cohesion and, thus, for promoting desquamation.

Abstract: Process and device for treating, especially for making up, for coloring or for the cosmetic care of some or all of the human or animal body The process for treating, especially for caring for, making up or coloring, at least a part of the human or animal body, is carried out by applying at least two treatment products simultaneously to a localized area of said part of the body as a function of characteristics of the localized area and/or of a predetermined design, in order to obtain a mixture of said treatment products directly on the localized area, at least one treatment product comprising at least one solvent in a proportion of at least 10% by weight.

Abstract: Isolated, substantially pure natural or synthetic polypeptides comprising cathepsin L type cysteine proteases, or polypeptide fragments or polypeptide admixtures obtained via proteolysis thereof, are useful for reducing intercorneocyte cohesion and, thus, for promoting desquamation.

Abstract: A cathepsin L type cysteine protease has been isolated from the healthy stratum corneum of human skin. The protease has a pH optimum of 5 to 5.5 and mass of about 28 kDa.

Abstract: Method for diagnosing a cellular aging or inflammation condition of keratinocytes of the skin or a pilous follicle in a person, or for diagnosing the efficiency of a treatment intended to combat said condition. To this effect, the concentration or activity of certain markers (catalase, glutathion or glutathion peroxydase) is compared in the keratinocytes suspected of being pathological and the keratinocytes of a reference non pathological area. The pathological condition intensifies the activity of the catalase, or reduces the activity of other markers. Application particularly to the diagnosis of alopecia, and to the estimation of the efficiency of a treatment of baldness with minoxidil in a given individual.

Abstract: This biosensor comprises a membrane (8), in which an enzyme catalyzing the transformation of a substrate used in the cutaneous metabolism is immobilized, means for detecting and measuring a phenomenon caused by said transformation, which is representative of the concentration of the substrate to be measured, with said substrate being brought into contact with the enzymatic membrane (8), and a measuring cell (13), a wall area of which is formed by the membrane (8) and which is capable of being closed, during the measurement, by a cutaneous covering area (15), with the cell (13) being combined with means for making circulate therein a liquid for placing in solution the substrate to be measured. For the measurement, the biosensor is applied to the skin, the buffer is injected into the cell and, once said cell is filled, the detection and the measurement are carried out, then the buffer is again made to circulate in order to remove the solubilized substrate.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition for the treatment and prevention of erythma and acne comprises in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier from about 1 to 10 weight percent based on the total weight of the composition of a delipidized and purified keratin polymer obtained from animal starting material containing keratin, the keratin polymer being in the free state.