Changes in epidermal morphology associated with dandruff

Saccharide isomerate ameliorates cosmetic scalp conditions in a Chinese study population

BACKGROUND

Scalp conditions such as flaky or oily scalp affect people across ethnicities and age groups. In addition to flaking, increased sebum secretion, itching, and compromised scalp barrier function were described. Scalp conditions are aesthetically disturbing and may cause psychological distress in affected individuals who are looking for mild and effective treatment at the same time. Saccharide isomerate has a long history as a skin moisturizer, and it was found to improve skin barrier function, also suggesting possible beneficial effects on scalp.

AIMS

To provide relevant claim substantiation to introduce saccharide isomerate as a new scalp care active against scalp flaking condition.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We conducted a placebo-controlled clinical study in an adult Chinese population affected by dandruff scalp as assessed by an adherent scalp flaking score. We monitored transepidermal water loss (TEWL), sebum secretion, and scalp flaking during 28 days.

RESULTS

Formulations containing Saccharide isomerate significantly improved all parameters both over time as well as compared to the placebo formulation.

CONCLUSION

We propose Saccharide isomerate for cosmetic formulations directed toward improving scalp conditions such as dandruff or oily scalp.

A folliculocentric perspective of dandruff pathogenesis: Could a troublesome condition be caused by changes to a natural secretory mechanism?

Dandruff is a common scalp condition, which frequently causes psychological distress in those affected. Dandruff is considered to be caused by an interplay of several factors. However, the pathogenesis of dandruff remains under-investigated, especially with respect to the contribution of the hair follicle. As the hair follicle exhibits unique immune-modulatory properties, including the creation of an immunoinhibitory, immune-privileged milieu, we propose a novel hypothesis taking into account the role of the hair follicle. We hypothesize that the changes and imbalance of yeast and bacterial species, along with increasing proinflammatory sebum by-products, leads to the activation of immune response and inflammation. Hair follicle keratinocytes may then detect these changes in scalp microbiota resulting in the recruitment of leukocytes to the inflammation site. These changes in the scalp skin immune-microenvironment may impact hair follicle immune privilege status, which opens new avenues into exploring the role of the hair follicle in dandruff pathogenesis. Also see the video abstract here: https://youtu.be/mEZEznCYtNs.

Biophysical and ultrasonographic changes in pityriasis rosea compared with uninvolved skin

BACKGROUND

Pityriasis rosea (PR) is a common, self-limited, inflammatory papulosquamous skin disease with a possible viral etiology.

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this study was to evaluate skin biophysical properties in patients with PR compared with uninvolved skin to better understand the pathogenesis of PR.

METHODS

Stratum corneum hydration, transepidermal water loss, surface friction, pH, sebum, melanin, erythema, temperature, elasticity parameters (R0, R2, R5), thickness, and echodensity of the epidermis and dermis were measured on lesions of classic PR in 21 patients and compared with control sites (average of uninvolved perilesional and symmetrical skin) with a paired t test.

RESULTS

Stratum corneum hydration (p < .001), R0 (p = .003), R2 (p = .001), R5 (p = .003), and echodensity of the dermis (p = .006) were significantly lower, whereas transepidermal water loss (p = .001), pH (p < .001), and erythema (p < .001) were significantly higher in PR lesions. There was no significant difference in friction index, sebum, melanin content, temperature, thickness of the epidermis and dermis, and echodensity of the epidermis between PR and normal skin.

CONCLUSION

PR skin is characterized by certain alterations in biophysical properties, which are mostly correlated with histologic changes. These changes may be helpful in early, noninvasive diagnosis of PR.

Etiology and treatment of dandruff according to Persian medicine

Scalp dandruff is one of the most common complaints of patients visiting dermatologic clinics. It has significant influence on the self-confidence and social image of the individuals it affects. The current study aimed to analyze this problem from the viewpoint of Persian medicine. This paper is a literature review in which the text of selected books on Persian medicine is investigated using content analysis based on the theoretical sampling method. The studied keywords in the Persian medicine books included Hozaz, Ebrieh, and Ghooba. Relevant points were extracted from the text of papers selected from PubMed, Scopus, and SID and analyzed further. Persian medicine considers the incidence of scalp dandruff to be an output of the interaction between internal and external factors and concentrates more on disorder in the process of waste removal through the skin and its role in the development of scaling diseases. In order to dandruff treatment, Persian medicine sages considered nutrition, personal hygiene, status of the digestive system, and the health status of other organs in addition to topical treatment. Clinical examination of Persian medicine hypotheses, especially how the quality of skin secretions affects the development of scaly skin, can improve the treatment of scalp dandruff and other scaling skin diseases.