548 JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY OF COSMETIC CHEMISTS Society of Cosmetic Chemists • 967 Meetings The Society of Cosmetic Chemists will hold the following meetings in 1967: Date Meeting Location Sept. 21, 1967 Sept. 22, 1967 Dec. 6, 1967 Seminar Semi-annual Ambassador Hotel Chicago, Illinois Americana Hotel New York, New York

J. Soc. Uosmetic Chemists, 18, 549-562 (Aug. 19, 1967) Effect of Topical Hormones Aging Human Skin* on CHRISTOPHER M. PAPA, M.D.} Presented September 20-21, 1366, Seminar, New York City Synopsis--The male hormone, testosterone, has a rejuvenating or ameliorative effect when applied to aging human skin. Clinically evident changes, such as eftacement of wrinkles, hair growth, and augmented sweating, are present but modest, particularly when compared to the improvement in the microscopic architecture of the skin. Progesterone and pregnenolone produce similar but more diminutive alterations. The female hormone, ethinyl estradiol, was without effect, while the corticosteroids accentuated the degradative changes of sen- eseenee. The aged comprise an ever-increasing proportion of the popu- lation. The chronic internal disorders of old age are under intensive study because they threaten life and lessen the enjoyment of living. The age-dependent changes of the vital organs have been reasonably well appraised, but the skin is a special case. No one dies of aged skin appearance spoils life only indirectly as suggested by the statement that people feel as young as they look. The desolate appearance of truly senescent skin can impair mental and physical well-being. The importance of looking and feeling attractive may be easily submerged in the concern over the other traditional scourges. In light of recent medical advances against serious ailments, the time may be ripe to turn attention to the relatively minor skin problems. Indeed, if the medical utopia of the future could supply us with spanking new inner organs, what a dismal package it would still be, wrapped in old skin! * Supported in part by U.S. Public Health Service Grant. t Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Phila- delphia, Pa. 19104. 549