Methods of treating skin and mucosal tissue atrophy using compositions including tensioning polymers

1. A method for treating atrophy of skin or mucosal tissue, said method comprising administering to skin or mucosal tissue in need of such treatment a composition in the form of an oil-in-water emulsion comprising at least 15% (w/w) of an oil phase, from about 2 to about 10% (w/w) of a tensioning polymer, from about 40% to about 70% (w/w) water, and from about 10 to about 45% (w/w) of a volatile liquid selected from C 1 -C 6 alcohol wherein said oil phase comprises at least about 40% by weight silicones selected from dimethicone, cyclopentasiloxane, silicone waxes, silicone glycol copolymer wax, and oxy-ethylenated silicone oils and silicone elastomers; said method selected from the group consisting of thickening said skin or mucosal tissue, enhancing extracellular matrix production in said skin or mucosal tissue, and enhancing the barrier function of said skin or mucosal tissue and wherein said tensioning polymer (i) has a contractile force ranging from about 3 g/mg to about 30 g/mg; (ii) has a molecular weight ranging from about 100,000 to about 350,000 daltons; and (iii) is selected from selected from a chitosan polymer.

2. A method of claim 1 , wherein said method comprises thickening said skin.

3. A method of claim 1 , enhancing the barrier function of said skin.

4. A method of claim 1 , enhancing extracellular matrix production on the skin.

5. A method of claim 1 , wherein said method comprises enhancing collagen production in said skin.

6. A method of claim 1 , wherein said tensioning polymer has a water resistance index from about 0.9 to about 1.9.

7. A method of claim 2 , wherein said tensioning polymer has a water resistance index from about 0.9 to about 1.9.

8. A method of claim 3 , wherein said tensioning polymer has a water resistance index from about 0.9 to about 1.9.