Online course examines skin allergy basics and testing methods
The 90-minute accredited course is targeted at professionals in the skin care/skin exposure industry, including cosmetics and personal care players, and comprises three modules and a question-and answer-session with the course director, skin care research expert Dr Nava Dayan.
Skin allergies on the increase
As the course organizers note, skin allergies are increasingly common in Western Society, yet today’s testing methods are associated with ethical issues and limitations and are not inclusive.
Ethical considerations presented by Human RIPT (repeated insult patch test) studies, for example, include risk to volunteers, while the cosmetics industry has frequently been criticized by animal rights organizations for testing on animals.
In addition to discussing allergy testing methods that are currently topical, the course will explore new approaches and take a look at the nature of skin allergies.
Course content
The first of the three course modules covers the basics of skin allergy, looking at what a skin allergic reaction is and where on the skin it occurs.
Other points examined in the module include type 1 versus type 4 allergies and what is between allergy and inflammation.
In Module 2, the course director will shine the spotlight on allergy testing methods that are currently available, looking at in-vitro methods in use, animal testing and the technical limitations and ethical considerations of Human RIPT.
Mast cells and their use in cultures
The final module of the course looks at mast cells and their use in cultures, explaining why, in the testing process for type 1 skin allergic reactions, mast cell co-cultures are a good method to use.
Participation in the course, which is being held from 11-12.30am (ET), costs $295 per person. A group rate at $245 per person is available.
Other up-coming training sessions from the CfPA include a two day course on 23-24 July entitled ‘Claim substantiation for clinical studies of cosmetic products’, and a one day course on 25 July called ‘Adverse effects on skin - how to formulate a safer topically applied product’.
