This treatment was used to improve skin tightness and decrease the amount and depth of wrinkles. It is a noninvasive treatment, with low risk of complications. The cutometrical measurements seem to be useful to assess improvement of elasticity of the skin after cosmetology or esthetic dermatology treatments.

The large surface area of the skin, high metabolism and location at the border of two environments (external and internal) cause continuous production of free radicals within the skin. There are two mechanisms of skin photoaging. The first one involves UVA-induced production of reactive oxygen species. The second mechanism is based on a direct interaction of UVB with DNA and induction of damage in the DNA structure. One way by which UVA leads to skin aging is activation of the AP-1 transcription factor due to singlet oxygen, which is released by UV radiation. Antioxidants slow down oxidation leading to the formation of free radicals, or inactivate already formed free radicals, and thereby accelerate interruption of chain reactions. Moreover, photoprotection has a key role in combating photoaging and eliminating its effects. STRESZCZENIEDuża powierzchnia skóry, wysoki metabolizm oraz usytuowanie na granicy dwóch środowisk (zewnętrznego i wewnętrznego) sprawiają, że w jej obrębie nieustannie dochodzi do produkcji wolnych rodników. Istnieją dwa mechanizmy fotostarzenia skóry. Pierwszy polega na produkowaniu reaktywnych form tlenu pod wpływem UVA, które następ-nie wpływają na cząsteczki skóry i powodują dalsze przemiany. Drugi mechanizm opiera się na bezpośredniej interakcji promieniowania UVB z DNA i indukowaniu uszkodzeń DNA. Promieniowanie UVA prowadzi do procesu starzenia się skóry, między innymi w drodze aktywacji czynnika transkrypcyjnego AP-1, poprzez uwalniany pod wpływem UV tlen singletowy. Antyoksydanty spowalniają procesy utleniania skutkujące powstaniem wolnych rodników lub dezaktywują już wytworzone, przez co przyspieszają przerwanie reakcji łańcucho-wych. Ważną rolę w walce z fotostarzeniem skóry odgrywa fotoprotekcja wraz z niwelowaniem jego skutków.

Hyperpigmentation disorders are a serious aesthetic problem. Various therapies are applied to remove these lesions. The variable pulsed light (VPL) is similar to intense pulsed light (IPL), but instead of one flash of light, energy is provided in a few small and rapid micro-flashes. The aim of the study is a mexametric evaluation of results of the treatment of hyperpigmentation with the application of the VPL device as well as the patient's opinion on this kind of treatment. The therapy with the VPL was administered twice within a period of three weeks. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment procedure, we carried out the mexametric measurements three times. Eighteen women with hyperpigmentation disorders were included in the study. The lesions were lightened in thirteen patients. Three patients demonstrated more intensive hyperpigmentation. Twelve patients assessed the effects of the therapy as good and excellent. In the patients, in whom the initial mexametric results confirmed the strongest changes, the effect of the VPL therapy appeared to be the greatest. The obtained results allow claiming that the VPL method is effective for treating hyperpigmentation. The level of the patients' satisfaction after the therapy is equally important.

On the basis of the reviscometer measurements analysis and photographical records, 1410-nm fractional non-ablative laser treatment appears to be an efficient method contributing to the improvement of the skin flexibility of the eyes area as well as to the reduction of the number of wrinkles. The post-treatment observation proves that the method is well-tolerated in the sensitive eyes area and does not cause any significant side effects.

The population of V. viviparus (L.) was studied at 16 sites situated along the mid and lower sections of the Narew River, with respect to the population density, sex ratio, size structure and fecundity. The density ranged from 50 to 600 indiv./m 2 . The females comprised 53-90% of population, and represented mainly the largest size classes (III and IV), while most of the males were of size class II. The smallest snails (class I) were found only among the males (up to 50%). In all the sites gravid females predominated, being the most abundant in size class IV (80%-100%). The average number of embryos per female was 18 (range 1-59) and increased with the shell height and body mass.