Effect of Topical Sulforaphane on Skin Fragility Seen in Skin Aging and With Ultraviolet Exposure

The primary purpose of the study is to compare the expression of keratins before and after application of sulforaphane (SF) and determine whether these findings alter skin fragility seen in both intrinsic and extrinsic skin aging as well as in ultraviolet (UV) light exposure. This investigation will be done in collaboration with researchers from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University. The study population recruited by Johns Hopkins Department of Dermatology will include up to 50 individuals over the age of 18 with healthy skin. Each study participant will have four on-site study visits and will be asked to contribute photographs, undergo non invasive elasticity measurements, use topical sulforaphane for 7 days and contribute up to four biopsy specimens for laboratory study. The investigators will also evaluate any differences in keratins' expression in skin exposed to acute UV light, separately and after pretreatment with sulforaphane.