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.

Patients⁄ 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.

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Authors: Ji Hwoon Baek PhD, Mi Ae Yoo BA, Jae Sook Koh PhD, Gadi Borkow PhD. Reduction of facial wrinkles depth by sleeping on copper oxide-containing pillowcases: a double blind, placebo controlled, parallel, randomized clinical study. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 11, p.193–200