Earticle

Recently, there have been many efforts to develop new compounds having skin whitening effects from natural products. The aim of this study was to assess the availability of Asterubine extracted from Asterias amurensis as a skin whitener through the evaluation of the inhibitory effects of melanogenesis in B16F1 melanoma cells. B16F1 cells were treated with Asterubine extracted from Asterias amurensis (10, 100 and 1,000 μM/mL, respectively) and incubated for 72 hours. B16F1 cells were treated with Asterubine (10, 100 and 1,000 μM/mL, respectively) and α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH), simultaneously, and incubated for 72 hours. Content of melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity were determined. The expressions of tyrosinase was measured by Western blot analysis. Treatment with 100 and 1,000 μM/mL Asterubine significantly decreased tyrosinase activity by 11.4% and 27.7%, respectively, compared to Asterubine non-treated group (p<0.05). Treatment with 1,000 μM/mL Asterubine significantly decreased melanin synthesis by 26.5%, compared to α-MSH alone group (p<0.05). Asterubine significantly inhibited expressions of tyrosinase induced by α-MSH. In conclusion, these findings indicate that Asterubine extracted from Asterias amurensis, which inhibits melanin synthesis and tyrosinase expression, is an effective skin whitening agent.

This study attempted to investigate the effects of back fascia relaxation therapy on the awareness of its effects in adult women aged 30-60 living in Busan. Subjects were divided into two groups: a once-a-week group and a twice-a-week group. Myofascial release (MFR) was performed on the back six times, and a questionnaire survey was conducted. The results found the following: In terms of awareness of sleep improvement, no difference was found between the two groups. However, the effect was felt longer in the once-a-week group than in the twice-a-week group (p<.05). In awareness of pain relief as well, there was no difference between the two groups, but the effect seemed longer in the once-a-week group (p<.01). In terms of decrease in fatigue, no difference was observed between the two groups. However, the effect was perceived longer in the once-a-week group (p<.05). In terms of the awareness of decrease in stress and duration of the effect, no difference was detected between the groups. In terms of awareness of the effect on arms and legs, it was greater (p<.01) and longer (p<.05) in the once-a-week group. When asked if they would continue this care practice even after the therapy, active intention was high in the once-a-week group (p<.05). When asked if they would recommend the therapy to others and how much they were satisfied with it, positive responses were high in both groups. The study results confirmed that the effects of and duration of back fascia relaxation therapy are higher when it is given on a steady and regular manner than when it is given just frequently.

This study attempted to develop hairstyles practical to the hairstyles that were prevalent during the Goryeo Period. To this end, the Goryeo-period hairstyles, chumagye, jocheongye and ahwangye were analyzed. Three hairstyles shapes, top point, nape point and back point were considered for analysis as well. Then, the characteristics, techniques and colors were analyzed according to aforementioned aspects. The results revealed the following: First, chumagye was created in as a modern and practical fashion with the top point-emphasized, pony-tail image as a motif. In terms of color, light grayish tones were used, with light tones and black being used as sub and accent colors respectively. Second, in jocheongye, splendor and elegance were emphasized with a crown-shaped image, which highlights symmetric a structure from the top point as a motif. In terms of color, light tones were applied as the main color, with light grayish and vivid tones being used as sub and accent colors respectively. In addition, the hair looked light and voluminous. To allow for easier care, hair bands were used. Third, in ahwangye, the back point and top point were emphasized. Circle patterns were created symmetrically on both sides, creating a classic and feminine image. For ease, all people, regardless of their age, simple hairstyles were created using hair clips.

The study collected research papers published in Korea from 2000 to 2015 that focused on aromatherapy and implemented an integrated analysis of the physical, psychological, physiological healing of aromatherapy by meta-analysis. The study searched for relevant literature based on the selection criteria of research results and of the selected data, the study selected 43 volumes, including 11 journals, 32 master’s and doctoral thesis on research that utilized aromatherapy as an experimental situation and research with convertible statistics, standard deviation, and average results. Physiological factors selected by the study, among factors related to effects of aromatherapies, chose pulse rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and cortisol; the physical factor chose abdominal obesity, weight, fat mass, percent body fat, sleep disorder, pain, and fatigue as the pathology moderating effect, and Mood (negative), anxiety, stress, and depression as the psychological factor. The overall effect size trend according to years of publications of aromatherapy was statically significant. This can be due to recent reduction of effect sizes of factors related to aromatherapy.

A survey was conducted from October 12th to November 7th, 2017 to investigate the actual status of the departure of medical estheticians and the determinants of turnover. A total of 47 questionnaires were used for the analysis. The subjects were 97.9% women and 48.9% were aged between 20-25 years. The majority of subjects were college graduates (72.3%) who had majored in beauty studies (83.0%). 53.2% of subjects reported their salary ranged from 1.5 million to 2 million won. 72.3% hold the position of skin care manager and 31.9% had work experience of less than one year. One of the main reasons for working in a hospital was the prospect to be a professional (46.8%). 51% of subjects considered the decade of the 30s as being the maximum age to work in a hospital setting, which means that they did not consider medical esthetician as a lifetime job. 75.5% had experienced at least one turnover, and the main reasons were unsatisfactory working conditions (26.7%) and salary (25.0%), and the matter of aptitude and supervisor (23.1%). After leaving the hospital, 51.1% were reemployed in a hospital. This study is meaningful in that it has grasped the actual conditions of the departure of medical estheticians and the determinants of turnover within this population. However, it would be difficult to generalize the results as the subjects were collected only in one region. Further in-depth research is suggested for efficient human resource management of medical estheticians.

Recently, there have been many efforts to develop new compounds having skin whitening effects from natural products. The aim of this study was to assess the availability of Asterubine extracted from Asterias amurensis as a skin whitener through the evaluation of the inhibitory effects of melanogenesis in B16F1 melanoma cells. B16F1 cells were treated with Asterubine extracted from Asterias amurensis (10, 100 and 1,000 μM/mL, respectively) and incubated for 72 hours. B16F1 cells were treated with Asterubine (10, 100 and 1,000 μM/mL, respectively) and α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH), simultaneously, and incubated for 72 hours. Content of melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity were determined. The expressions of tyrosinase was measured by Western blot analysis. Treatment with 100 and 1,000 μM/mL Asterubine significantly decreased tyrosinase activity by 11.4% and 27.7%, respectively, compared to Asterubine non-treated group (p<0.05). Treatment with 1,000 μM/mL Asterubine significantly decreased melanin synthesis by 26.5%, compared to α-MSH alone group (p<0.05). Asterubine significantly inhibited expressions of tyrosinase induced by α-MSH. In conclusion, these findings indicate that Asterubine extracted from Asterias amurensis, which inhibits melanin synthesis and tyrosinase expression, is an effective skin whitening agent.