Moisturizers and Ceramide-containing Moisturizers May Offer Concomitant Therapy with Benefits.

INTRODUCTION: Ceramide-containing moisturizers may offer benefits as an adjunct to acne treatment. METHODS: An expert panel of 11 Canadian dermatologists, including an international clinical scientist, used the following modified Delphi process: 1) A systematic literature review for acne treatment, dry skin, irritation, depletion of ceramides in acne, and benefits of moisturizers and ceramide-containing moisturizers was conducted; 2) panel members gave their opinion on the resulting statements, taking into account their treatment practices; 3) a panel meeting was held during the 2011 Canadian Dermatology Update to determine final statements; 4) the panel reviewed the final document. RESULTS: The panel reached the following consensus (11/11): 1) A very important reason for nonadherence to acne treatment is dry skin and irritation; 2) skin barrier dysfunction may contribute to acne; 3) dry skin and irritation commonly results from topical acne treatment; 4) dry skin and irritation commonly results from systemic retinoid therapy; 5) moisturizers can improve dryness and irritation resulting from acne treatment; 6) ceramide-containing moisturizers may enhance adherence and complement existing acne therapies; 7) adjunctive therapy with moisturizers should be considered in acne-treated patients. CONCLUSION: The panel proposes that adjunctive therapy with moisturizers, particularly ceramide-containing moisturizers, should be considered in acne-treated patients.

Skin barrier changes induced by aluminum oxide and sodium chloride microdermabrasion.

BACKGROUND: Microdermabrasion has become an extremely popular method for superficial resurfacing. Despite the popularity of this technique, published studies of skin barrier function changes following microdermabrasion are lacking. OBJECTIVE: To study assessed transepidermal water loss (TEWL), hydration, pH, and sebum production following aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and sodium chloride (NaCl) microdermabrasion. METHODS: Eight patients were included in this split face study. Transepidermal water loss, stratum corneum hydration, skin pH, and sebum production measurements were taken from the right and left sides of the face at baseline. One side of the face was treated with Al2O3 microdermabrasion and the other side with NaCl microdermabrasion. Measurements were repeated at 24 hours and 7 days. RESULTS: Both NaCl and Al2O3 microdermabrasion was associated with a statistically significant increase in TEWL at 24 hours. In contrast, at 7 days, levels of TEWL were decreased to less than baseline. In addition, an increase in hydration was observed 24 hours after NaCl and Al2O3 microdermabrasion. Hydration in NaCl-treated areas remained significantly increased at 7 days. CONCLUSION: The results of this investigation suggest that both NaCl and Al2O3 microdermabrasion alter the epidermal barrier. These changes in epidermal barrier function may be responsible for the clinical improvement following microdermabrasion.