The Possibilities of Balneological Technologies in Anti-Aging Programs

INTRODUCTION. Modern anti-aging programs are focused both on leveling the external aesthetic signs of aging and on generalized reactions associated with endogenous aging, which determines the relevance and high scientific and practical significance of the study. AIM. to increase the clinical effectiveness of the aesthetic domain in anti-aging programs for people with various manifestations of endogenous aging by including balneological technologies in the form of water baths with Skipofit extract in the treatment protocol. MATERIALS AND METHODS. 61 patients (women aged 42.4 [36.5; 54.3] years) with endogenous involutive manifestations were examined. Ultrasound evaluation of skin tissues, assessment of hydration and elasticity of skin tissues was performed in all patients. The distribution of patients into groups is based on randomization: the first group (n = 31), in which patients received balneotherapy in the form of baths with Skipofit extract against the background of general skin care for the face/neck. The second group (n=30), in which patients received standard general skin care for the face/neck. Balneological effects in the form of water baths were performed with Skipofit extract at home with a course of up to 10 procedures twice a week, at a water temperature of 36–37 °C, duration 15–20 minutes. The analysis of statistical data was carried out in the Microsoft Office Excel program (2017) with subsequent statistical processing by SPSS (PASW Statistics version, 2018). The differences were considered significant at p < 0.05. RESULTS. After the anti-aging program, there was a significant increase in hydration of the skin of the face and neck by 11.2 ± 2.1 conl. ed. and an increase in elastin levels by 4.5 ± 1.9 conl. ed., which was confirmed by an improvement in skin texture, a decrease in the depth of wrinkles according to ultrasound monitoring and, which was more effective than after general cosmetic care without the use of balneological effects, 1.5 and 2.0 times, respectively (p = 0.003). CONCLUSION. The most important indicators of endogenous aging include ultrasound parameters of skin tissues, hydration and elastic values of the skin, indicators of the enzymatic antioxidant system (catalase and superoxide dismutase of blood) and values of lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde and diene conjugates), which are evaluated before/after anti-aging programs, including general cosmetic care and balneological effects in the form of baths with Skipofit extract allow us to deepen our understanding of the aesthetic domain of external aging and pathogenetic involutional regulators of the human body.