photo FOUNDED IN 2007, THE ASIA-PACIFIC CENTRE FOR SKIN AGEING (APCSA) SUPPORTS RESEARCH INTO FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE SKIN AGEING AMONG ALL THE PEOPLES OF THE ASIA PACIFIC AND TO PROMOTE ETHICAL MARKETING OF SKIN CARE PRODUCTS THAT PREVENT, RETARD OR REVERSE SKIN AGEING.

The APSCA contributes funding towards a Dermatology Centre of Exellence at Melbourne's St Vincent's Hospital.

It brings together a group of distinguished dermatologists from the Asia-Pacific region, to engage in quality research and education.

Members of the APCSA examine and either endorse or reject marketing claims made about skin care products based on the merit of the supporting science. Communicating this research to the public will help consumers to identify ethical scientific research and empower them to make better informed decisions about anti-ageing skin products.

The Centre for Excellence is expected to open in 2010 and will feature:

  • A skin cancer treatment centre with advanced diagnostics and surgical facilities;
  • A photobiology centre;
  • Integrated laboratories;
  • Training facilities for dermatologists;
  • An education centre; and
  • A clinical trials area to measure the various components that contribute to skin ageing and independently test skin care products.

As skin of colour ages differently from European skin each products need to be tested in a range of different ethnic skins.