ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Most treatment protocols for vitiligo usually do not result in complete repigmentation. Therefore, cosmetically acceptable camouflage, low cost and easy to handle alternatives are warranted. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of low-cost self-tanner available in the Thai market in normal subjects with skin types III, IV, and V, and the efficacy for camouflage of 6% dihydroxyacetone (DHA) cream in the treatment of vitiligo on exposed areas of Asian skin. METHODS: The study was divided into two parts. Part 1 is a prospective study of 15 healthy volunteers using three different DHA creams which were available in the Thai market with concentrations of 3.5%, 4.2%, and 5%. Part 2 was a retrospective study of 20 patients suffering from vitiligo affecting the face and/or hands and feet who were treated with 6% DHA. The data were collected through direct examination, telephone interview, face-to-face interview, and photographs. RESULTS: In healthy volunteers, we found that color matching was achieved by using a higher concentration of DHA in darker-skin subjects. Most of the vitiligo patients (88.9%) reported moderate to marked satisfaction with the cosmetic results of 6% DHA cream. CONCLUSION: Dihydroxyacetone offers a safe and effective therapeutic option for recalcitrant vitiligo. Dark-skin subjects need a higher concentration of DHA cream than lighter-skin subjects.
Subject(s)
Cosmetics/administration & dosage , Dermatologic Agents/administration & dosage , Dihydroxyacetone/administration & dosage , Vitiligo/therapy , Administration, Topical , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Child , Female , Humans , Interviews as Topic , Male , Middle Aged , Patient Satisfaction/statistics & numerical data , Prospective Studies , Retrospective Studies , Skin/pathology , Skin Pigmentation , Vitiligo/pathology , Vitiligo/psychologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The Government Pharmaceutical Organization of Thailand (GPO) has developed many products using liposome nanotechnology and Thai herbal extracts. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the irritation potential of GPO products on human skin using the single application closed patch test under occlusion. The authors also studied the moisturizing efficacy of a commercial curmin extract cream (GPO curmin cream). MATERIAL AND METHOD: Thirty-six female volunteers were tested with 12 test materials developed by GPO including liposome, curmin extract: tetrahydrocurcuminoids (THC), and commercial curmin cream. Two and a half percent sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) was used as positive control. Standard Finn chambers on Scanpor tape with webril cotton were used as occlusive patch test devices. Cutaneous irritation responses were graded after patch removal and the incidence of irritation compared to the positive control was used for evaluation. Corneometer was used to measure skin hydration before and after application of curmin cream. RESULTS: All volunteers completed the present study. The skin irritation effects from the test materials were significantly lower (p-value < 0.001, McNemar statistic test) than the positive control. Measurement of skin hydration after twice daily application of GPO curmin cream was significantly higher (p-value < 0.001, paired t-test) than the control skin. CONCLUSION: The test materials and finished products developed by the GPO are not likely to induce skin irritation under normal conditions of use. Furthermore, twice-daily application of the commercial GPO curmin cream can significantly increase skin hydration.
