Therapeutics Update

Several New Products from brandMD

brandMD introduced SPF 45 Light & Medium Tint. SPF 45, in both shades, is a multi-functional, tinted moisturizer containing an effective photostabilizer to enhance broad-spectrum coverage against UVA and UVB radiation. Formulated as an all-in-one sunscreen and foundation, the company says this protective moisturizer provides sheer color coverage to even out the skin tone, while minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles to blend naturally for virtually all skin tones.

The company’s newest Retinol product—Retinol Pads 0.50%—are now available. The pre-soaked Retinol pads provide easy application while delivering aggressive results through a proprietary transepidermal delivery system, ensuring optimal delivery of stabilized Retinol and nutrients to targeted areas within the skin, the company says. The Retinol Pads are intended to improve the overall appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, reduce melanin synthesis by 80 percent, and visibly brighten the skin.

brandMD also launched its newest skin lightening product, 2% HQ Pads. These pre-soaked pads deliver strong concentrations of hydroquinone, resulting in an aggressive and efficacious treatment. These pads, also employing a proprietary transepidermal delivery system, prohibit the formation of new melanin to correct uneven skin tone of hyperpigmentation-related conditions, resulting in a smoother, more even-toned complexion, the company says. The 2% HQ Pads provide an effective treatment uniformly disbursed for an even application.

NeturalEyes is available in a combination of 5-in-1 impressive ingredients, with six main intended benefits to reduce the appearance of dark circles, puffiness, and wrinkles around the eye area. On the cellular level, peptides and vitamins promote collagen growth, increase the strength and flexibility of fragile capillaries, and stimulate circulation around the eyes. On the surface, NeutralEyes Eye Complex contains light-diffusing minerals that provide an immediate relief from dark circles, puffiness, and wrinkles, the company says. It also has an anti-inflammatory effect and reinforces firmness and tone, resulting in brighter, rejuvenated, fresher looking eyes.

brandMD Skin Care sales team members can be reached at 818-534-3180 or sales@brandMD.com. Brandmd.com

Bag Balm First Aid Now Avaialable

FDA-approved Bag Balm First Aid Ointment is now available at major pharmacies in the first aid aisle. Bag Balm First Aid is recognized by the FDA as an ointment that protects and soothes minor cuts, burns, scrapes, and skin abrasions. This medicated ointment can now be used to help heal and restore patients’ skin. Bag Balm was created in 1899 to soothe chapped and chafed cow udders. It wasn’t long before the benefits of this salve on farmers’ skin were recognized, and tins of Bag Balm made their way from barns to bathrooms. Bagbalm.com

Glycolix Glyco-Urea KP Therapy from Topix

Topix Pharmaceuticals, Inc. launched Glycolix Glyco-Urea KP Therapy. This new advanced formula helps to treat severely dry skin often associated with skin conditions such as keratosis pilaris (KP), psoriasis, and dermatitis. Thickened, cracked, itchy skin or skin plaques frequently materialize with unwanted dry skin conditions. Intrinsic or extrinsic factors may strip the skin of natural amino acids and lipids, exposing skin to damage, and potentially leading to inflammation and irritation. The patented technology in KP Therapy is intended to exfoliate dead skin cells, comparable to 40% Urea, while moisturizing and replenishing the skin barrier. It’s formulated with 15% glycolic acid, urea USP, proteolytic enzymes, exfoliating peptides, and amino acids. http://topixpharm.com/

Day and Night Cellulite Cream from Glytone

Glytone introduced Slim Design Cellulite Day Cream and Slim Design Cellulite Night Cream. Both are described as rich creams formulated with a unique Caffeine Complex (Caffeine, Salacia, and Ivy) to smooth, firm, and tighten the look of hips, thighs, and buttocks. The night cream also included GP4G Night Booster. The day cream Shown to leave skin visibly firmer in seven days and dimples visibly smoother in 10 days. Use of night cream is associated with a visible decrease in thigh size in 10 days and 14 percent reduction in appearance of cellulite after 10 nights. The non-greasy and non-comedogenic formula is formulated to leave skin soft and supple. https://www.glytone-usa.com/

Therapeutics Focus: Sunscreens

Hawaii Approves Ban on Sunscreen Ingredients Believed to Kill Coral Reefs

Lawmakers in Hawaii voted to approve a ban on sunscreens containing oxybenzone or octinoxate in an effort to preserve marine ecosystems. If signed by the governor, Senate Bill 2571 will prohibit the sale or distribution of sunscreens containing one or both of these ingredients beginning January 1, 2021, without a prescription issued by a licensed healthcare provider.

In a study published in the February 2016 issue of Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, researchers examined the effects of oxybenzone on the larval form (planula) of the coral Stylophora pistillata, as well as its toxicity in vitro to coral cells from this and six other coral species. They concluded that oxybenzone “poses a hazard to coral reef conservation and threatens the resiliency of coral reefs to climate change.”

Matthew J. Zirwas, MD, presented on this issue at the 2017 Cosmetic Surgery Forum and in the February 2018 issue of Practical Dermatology® (watch his full lecture at CosmeticSurgeryForum.com/does-sunscreen-kill-coral/). He noted that coral reefs, which provide food and shelter to close to one quarter of all marine life, may be under attack from some chemical sunscreens, as well as the effects of global warming. However, he pointed out, while some sunscreens may be hazardous to coral reefs, there is a significant amount of research showing the benefits of sunscreen in preventing sunburns and skin cancer. Dr. Zirwas writes, “The good news is that physical blockers, namely titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, are pretty harmless to coral, probably because they are naturally present in sea water at low levels.” (You can read his article by visiting practicaldermatology.com/2018/02).

The proposed legislation to ban oxybenzone or octinoxate in Hawaii has been met with some opposition, including from the Hawaii Medical Assocation, some sunscreen manufacturers, and the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA).

The AADA released the following statement from President, Suzanne M. Olbricht, MD, FAAD:

“The American Academy of Dermatology Association is concerned that the public’s risk of developing skin cancer could increase due to potential new restrictions in Hawaii that impact access to sunscreens with ingredients necessary for broad-spectrum protection, as well as the potential stigma around sunscreen use that could develop as a result of these restrictions. Sadly, the death rate from melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, in Hawaii is already 30 percent higher than the national average.

“The AADA wants the public to know that sunscreen remains a safe, effective form of sun protection. As one component of a daily sun protection strategy, sunscreen is an important tool in the fight against skin cancer. Claims that sunscreen ingredients currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are toxic to the environment or a hazard to human health have not been proven. Furthermore, scientific evidence supports the benefits of applying sunscreen to minimize short- and long-term damage to the skin from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays.Research indicates that about 95 percent of melanoma cases are attributable to UV exposure, so the AADA encourages everyone to protect themselves from the sun by seeking shade, wearing protective clothing, and using a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.

“Those who are concerned about the potential new sunscreen restrictions in Hawaii can choose sunscreens with ingredients other than oxybenzone and octinoxate, such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. We also encourage the public to closely read product labeling, use products as directed, and contact a board-certified dermatologist if they have any questions.

“Although there are many safe and effective sunscreen products on the market, the AADA continues to support the introduction of new sunscreen ingredients in the United States. The best sunscreen is the one that individuals will use every day. The more sun protection options consumers have at their disposal, the more likely they will be to find an option they like and will use regularly.”

What do you think? Is this ban good for the environment and worthwhile? Or is likely to cause an increase in skin cancer rates? Email us your thoughts at editor@bmctoday.com or tweet us @Practical_Derm.

Parents Just Don’t Understand Risks of Sun Exposure in Spring

Some patients may need a reminder that they need sunscreen for themselves—and their children—all year long. According to a survey by parent magazine Kinderzeit.org, slightly more than 90 percent of parents underestimate the sun’s strength in spring and, as a result, don’t adequately protect their children.

Watch Now

Within every good skincare regimen, sunscreen should be a priority. Joely Kaufman, MD shares her tips for products to recommend and to encourage patients to re-apply sunscreen throughout their day. While she always recommends a good base application of sunscreen in the mornings for all patients, she knows reapplication is a challenge. She recommends carrying a sunscreen stick or powder for easy application all day long.

Watch now at https://dermtube.com/series/meeting-coverage-chicago-2017-oct/sunscreen-solutions/

Specifically, 90.6 percent of parents polled tend to forget to apply sunscreen on their children during the first days of spring, and 80 percent overestimate the length of time their child can spend in the sun safely.

The survey included 3,217 parents who were asked how they protect their kids from ultraviolet rays. Almost 65 percent of parents choose too low of an SPF factor, and 21.2 percent of children already caught a mild sunburn this spring (with 6.4 percent developing a moderate sunburn and 3.1 percent developing a severe one). Only 21.1 percent of all parents equip their children with special sun protection clothing during spring, the survey shows.

Kinderzeit.org offers an online sun exposure calculator to help navigate parents through everything related to sun protection, including the exact amount of time a child can be exposed to the sun.