SerumScoop: Tips, tricks and news

Sytenol® A - A Functional Analog of Retinol From the perspective of topically applied compositions, a small molecule without having the negatives of Retinol that safely mimics the properties of Retinol (Fisher et al., FASEB J,1002-1013, 1996) is a greatly sought after ingredient.

Volcanic plots illustrate the molecular signatures of Retinol and Sytenol® A of a DNA microarray experiment using reconstructed full thickness epidermis. This shows a very similar overall shape, indicating similar overall modulation of gene expressions in the skin substitute model. Multiple comparative studies revealed Sytenol® A to be the true alternative to Retinol (Chaudhuri, In Cosmeceuticals and Active Cosmetics, 3r Edition, Eds., Maibach et al., Chapter 1, 1-18, 2015) for anti-aging applications and does not have the inherent safety & stability issues of Retinol.

A recent randomized, double-blind clinical study between Sytenol® A and Retinol carried out by UC-Davis Dermatologists demonstrated that both compounds significantly decreased wrinkle surface area and hyperpigmentation, with no statistical difference between the compounds. The Retinol users reported more facial skin scaling, burning and stinging. Authors concluded that Sytenol® A is a more tolerable alternative to Retinol (Dhaliwal et al, British J Dermatology, 2018 Jun 27. doi: 10.1111/bjd.16918).

Clinically Proven to Reduce Multiple Signs of Aging

Protocol:
• Human volunteers – 17; 16 Completed; Age – 41 to 60 yrs; Caucasian (14), Hispanics (2)
• Study duration – 12 weeks
• Test sites – Full face
• Test substance – Lotion with 0.5% Sytenol® A; Contains No sunscreen and No moisturizer
• Application frequency – About 2 g twice a day
• Methodology – Expert grading/Self-assessment by panelists (Grading 0 to 4): (1) Roughness & Dryness; (2) Fine lines & wrinkles; (3) Skin tone; (4) Skin elasticity & firmness; (5) Radiance; (6) Brightening; (7) Overall eye-area appearance; Silicone Replica Analysis: Wrinkle depth & Skin roughness; Photography: Before & after the treatments; Readings were taken at baseline, 4, 8 & 12 weeks.

• Statistical Analysis – Statistical significance defined as p ≤0.05

Results

The results clearly showed that, after twelve weeks treatment, significant improvement in lines and wrinkles, pigmentation, elasticity, firmness and overall photo-damage was observed, with no irritating effect on skin. Based on these results and the comparative studies of Retinol and Sytenol® A done by Sytheon, we conclude that Sytenol® A is the first true Retinol-like anti-aging product (Chaudhuri & Bojanowski, Intern J Cosmet Sci, 36(3):221-230, 2014).


Get the remarkable benefits of Sytenol A in Revivinol "Unretinol" Serum here.

Excerpts from an article by Dr. Anjali Mahto on dandruff, its psychological effects on self esteem and quality of life, and some good solutions.

Many customers find our RevivScalp Rejuvenating Scalp Serum Masque can tremendously help their scalp health, and regulate excessive sebum that is one of the root causes of dandruff. While the product is not a dandruff treatment per se (which are categorized as a monographed OTC product in the United States), RevivScalp may very well help with such flakes and itching.

Excerpts from the article:

According the NHS website, dandruff is estimated to affect half of all people at some point in their lives. What causes dandruff and why is it so common?

Dandruff is a common chronic scalp [issue] that is characterised by flaking of the skin of the scalp. As skin cells die, they are shed from the scalp surface. For some people, however, excessive flaking occurs, resulting in dandruff.

Dandruff can have several causes. Dry skin is usually the most common cause and individuals are likely to get patches of dry skin elsewhere on the body. This can often become worse in the winter months due to aggravation by indoor heating such as radiators. Certain skin diseases can be a cause of dandruff, such as seborrhoeic dermatitis, eczema, and even psoriasis. Allergy or sensitivity to shampoos and hair dyes may also be a causative factor. Occasionally, overgrowth of a fungus known as Malassezia may be contributing to the problem.

Please can you outline the recent anonymous survey conducted by the British Skin Foundation (BSF) in conjunction with anti-dandruff shampoo manufacturers, Head & Shoulders (H&S)? What were the main aims?

A recent joint survey aimed to look at the potential psychological distress that can be caused by dandruff. Over 350 people were interviewed and their views were collated.

What were the main findings of this survey?

73% of respondents said it made them feel less attractive
20% claimed the condition had resulted in them being bullied and receiving verbal abuse
72% had tried to hide their condition from someone e.g. friends, partners
more than a third admitted to avoiding a social situation on one or more occasion due to their dandruff

Why do you think poor scalp health sometimes has a negative impact on quality of life and self-esteem?

Dandruff, like many skin conditions, can lead to low self-esteem. Patients that suffer may feel embarrassed that their dandruff is viewed as a sign of poor grooming or uncleanliness by others. If they have symptoms of itching, this can result in anxiety, poor sleep and lack of concentration.

Patients may become socially withdrawn and refuse to participate in normal daily activities due to these factors propagating the negative self-image.

What are the best ways to treat dandruff and the emotional distress caused by it?

Mild to moderate dandruff can usually be controlled with shampoos but often treatments take time to work and require persistence and maintenance. Shampoos must be left on the scalp for at least 5 minutes before they are rinsed out to give them time to work. The commonly used agents in shampoos are:

zinc pyrithione - this is an antibacterial and antifungal agent that will reduce the level of Malassezia in the scalp, which is thought to contribute to dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis
coal tar based shampoos - coal tar will help slow down the production of dead skin cells
salicylic acid - this aids in eliminating scaling in the scalp
selenium sulphide - this will slow production of dead skin cells and also reduce Malassezia levels. It can, however, discolour the hair, and is not recommended for blonde or chemically coloured hair.
Ketoconazole - this also works by reducing fungal levels

If dandruff is related to eczema or sensitivity to products being used in the scalp, your doctor may prescribe a steroid lotion to be used for short periods of time.

Is it necessary to use an anti-dandruff shampoo?

It is important to wash the hair regularly to remove any excess scaling that builds up, ideally with an anti-dandruff shampoo. For some individuals, even though dandruff will clear, they may require a once or twice weekly maintenance treatment to reduce the frequency with which it may recur.

What is seborrheic dermatitis and how does it differ from dandruff?

Seborrhoeic dermatitis is one of several causes of dandruff. It can also cause scaly red, patches on the skin that tend to affect oily areas such as the face, upper back, and chest. The skin can occasionally be itchy with visible yellowish scale. In infants, it is the cause of cradle cap.

What do you think the future holds for dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis research and treatments?

Firstly, I think that more time and research will be spent looking at what exactly causes dandruff and how this is linked to changes in the immune system, particularly in relation to Malassezia.

Potential trigger factors for dandruff and how these may be minimised in addition to novel new treatments are a growing area of interest.

Lastly, it is becoming increasingly apparent that skin conditions such as this have a profound effect on the psyche of the sufferer and studies in the field of “psychodermatology” are much needed.

What advice would you give someone suffering from emotional distress from dandruff?

Please do not suffer in silence and speak to your GP or dermatologist if your dandruff is causing psychological distress. They will be sympathetic and can refer you to a clinical psychologist if needed.

We are increasing beginning to acknowledge the link between mind and skin and only too aware of the long-term effects chronic skin disease can have on the psyche.

Where can readers find more information?

Speak to your GP or dermatologist if you have any on-going concerns about how to manage dandruff. There is good online information available from the American Academy of Dermatology, British Association of Dermatologists, National Eczema Society, and Dermnet.

Full article here: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20150728/Does-dandruff-cause-psychological-distress-An-interview-with-Dr-Anjali-Mahto.aspx?utm_source=strongmail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=NewTrendTuesdayeNewsletter