• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.105-111
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• 2012

Objectives : An objective measurement for the effects of acupuncture therapy had been regarded as one of the important agendas in the research of acupuncture. This case report aimed to measure the changes of blood flow on the skin flap after one session of electroacupuncture treatment. Methods : A 27-year-old male patient was treated with ipsilateral or contralateral electroacupuncture on the $LI_{11}$, $LU_{10}$, $LI_{10}$, $TE_5$, $SI_3$ and Ex- $UE_9$(Palsa) in the arm with the skin flap on dorsal region of the hand. Changes of blood perfusion on the skin flap and opposite dorsum of hand were measured with laser Doppler blood perfusion imager(LDPI). Results : Immediate post-treatment relative changes of the blood perfusion on the skin flap and opposite hand after one session of ipsilateral electroacupuncture was 21% and 18% higher than values from pre-treatment assessment, respectively. On the contrary, when needled contralaterally, relative changes of the blood perfusion on the affected and unaffected hand was 7% lower and 22% higher than values from pre-treatment assessment, respectively. Mean differences of the blood perfusion between on the skin flap and on control hand remained similar after the ipsilateral acupuncture treatment but substantially increased(44.58 of perfusion units). Conclusions : Electroacupuncture may alter the local blood flow on the skin flap. More study is needed to investigate the effects of acupuncture on the blood flow and microcirculation on the skin tissue by well-designed clinical and experimental studies.

• Proceedings of the SCSK Conference
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• 2003.09a
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• pp.162-177
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• 2003

It has been known that the color of skin reflects the blood flow within. In lips, the capillaries close to the skin surface are numerous; hence lips are redder than the rest of face. However, dermatological research on lips is not as advanced as research on facial or body skin, and little was known about the relationship between relatively dull-colored lips and skin blood flow. The physiological differences between colorful and dull-colored lips were studied by a two-dimensional laser Doppler blood flow analyzer, a spectrometer for the measurement of the degree of oxygen saturation, and a confocal microscope for observing inside lips non-invasively. Dull-colored lips and the corner of lips (dull-colored compared to the center) showed relatively poor blood flow and lower oxygenated hemoglobin. It was found that colorful lips (generally the young) had a blood flow that tended to run straight in parallel with the skin surface. This unique blood-capillary structure can express clear red blood. Those with dull-colored lips had lost this unique structure. Their blood ran perpendicularly from the deep of the skin and down back again into the deep part as like the blood circulation patterns of facial skin. Therefore, the lips of the latter group had fewer blood capillaries near skin surface in the lips than that of the colorful-lips group. A lipstick containing a-glucosyl-hesperidin, which is derived from certain citrus fruits and can enhance blood circulation, was applied for evaluating its effects. Blood flow was increased 30 min after the application. After two weeks of daily application, the lips' condition became noticeably less dull. These findings suggest that the decrease of blood flow in dull-colored lips is caused by the loss of the unique capillary structure and the use of the lipstick to increase blood flow can give a vivid color to lips.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.765-774
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• 2010

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to explain the phenomena of hot flashes in climacteric women by using Mexameter, Skin Thermometer, Corneometer, and Laser Doppler Perfusion Imager (LDPI) objectively and to identify the interrelation between the subjective and objective measurements of hot flashes by comparing the two as reported in retrospective questionnaires. Methods: The participants were one hundred women (45-60 yr) who were not currently on hormone therapy, and had reached hot flash scores of 10 or higher. Hot flashes were measured in a temperature and humidity controlled room for 7 hr from 10 am to 5 pm. Hot flashes were measured subjectively and recorded via the Hot Flash Diary Report. When participants felt the hot flashes, they were measured objectively by Mexameter, Skin Thermometer, Corneometer, and LDPI. Results: The frequency of hot flashes in participants ranged from 1 to 7 times. When hot flashes occurred in participants, the erythema, skin temperature, skin hydration, and blood perfusion showed statistically significant changes in all measurements. But, the subjective and objective measurements of hot flashes showed only weak correlations. Conclusion: Results indicate a need for future research with subjective and objective measuring instruments chosen depending variations identified for the study.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.24-36
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• 2014

Objectives : This study was performed to evaluate the effects of moxibustion on cerebral blood flow, peripheral blood flow and blood pressure. Methods : We designed a randomized, cross-over study that included 20 healthy, male volunteers who were randomly assigned to one of two groups (the moxibustion group or the control group). The initial trial was followed by a washout period of one week before the groups were switched and the trial repeated. The cerebral blood flow and peripheral blood flow of the volunteers in both groups were measured by mean velocity (Vm), peak systolic velocity (Vs), pulsatility index (PI), perfusion units (PU) and mean blood pressure (BP) before the intervention (baseline), 30 minutes after the intervention, and again 60 minutes after the intervention. Results : 1. The Vm increased significantly in the moxibustion group. The Vs also constantly increased in moxibustion group, but there was no significant difference. 2. The PI decreased significantly in the control group at 0-30 minutes and in the moxibustion group at 30-60 minutes. 3. The PU constantly decreased in moxibustion group. In control group, the PU decreased at 30 minutes and increased slightly at 60 minutes. 4. The mean blood pressure did not show any significant difference between the two groups. Conclusions : This study shows that moxibustion at CV12 increased the cerebral blood flow. Based on this result, we can suggest that moxibustion at CV12 might be helpful in improving the functional recovery of stroke patients. However, further research needs to be conducted on a larger numbers of subjects in order to confirm these effects.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.43-50
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• 2012

The safety of cosmetics or cosmetic ingredients on human skin is generally evaluated by visual assessment but some early subtle skin changes may not be noticed by the naked eyes. Thus, the present study was conducted to detect skin reactions induced by mildly irritating cosmetic ingredients by using a laser Doppler perfusion imager (LDPI) method that measures blood flow, a $Vapometer^{(R)}$ that measure strans epidermal water loss (TEWL), and a spectrophotometer that measures the skin color as the erythema values ($a^*$). Visual assessment showed that all tested oils and humectants except propylene glycol belong to the low skin irritation ranges (grades 0+ to 2.9+) while all tested surfactants and propylene glycol belong to the moderate-to strong-skin irritation ranges (grades 3+ to 5+). Among three instrumental methods, TEWL assessment appeared to be more sensitive than spectrophotometric or LDPI method and suitable for the detection of subtle skin response invisible to the naked eye (grades 0+ to 2.9+). Skin reactions of grade 3+ to 5+ could be detected by all three instrumental methods. In conclusion, the current study suggested that the sub-clinical skin reactions due to mild irritants contained in cosmetics can be best assessed by TEWL measurements.