Imagine walking down the aisles of a cosmetic store and picking up a tube of wrinkle-free skin to layer over your face. That’s exactly what a few Harvard and M.I.T. scientists are making a reality. The researchers have created Second Skin, a thin undetectable film that will completely smooth wrinkles for at least 24 hours.
Aging is a beautiful thing; but if you’re interested in smoothing fine lines or eliminating under eye bags, Second Skin is the answer. The name says it all. It’s a two-step solution that creates an invisible coating over your flesh that literally looks like a ‘second skin.’ Think of it as Spanx for your face. It holds everything in place without anyone knowing that you’re wearing it. The left-hand side of the photo above shows the results of wearing the covering, while the right-hand side depicts how the participant looks without Second Skin.
So, how does the clear layer work its magic? It’s a two-step process. First, a clear gel is applied to the skin. Next, a catalyst (a substance that sparks the chemical reaction) activates the solution. Together, the ingredients create a smooth barrier over the skin that doesn’t budge. You can go for a swim or rub makeup on top of the coating, and it will stay put.
The scientists recorded their findings in a document for Nature Materials appropriately called “An Elastic Second Skin.” Loss of elasticity is one of the most common signs of aging, and until now scientists haven’t been able to find a way to mimic the flexibility of youthful skin. This new invention temporarily creates a resilient barrier wherever it’s applied. You can see how stretchy the plastic layer is when the experimenters tug at the delicate skin underneath a woman’s eyes in the video below.
And the invisible solution has more than one use. It could also be worn to protect sores or cover up skin diseases. We can’t wait to see how creative people become with Second Skin, but the revolutionary product won’t hit the market any time soon. It will take a couple of years to finalize the product. But you can see the prototypein action in the video below.
