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Acne Treatment with Topical Niacinamide
Niacinamide is a
form of Vitamin-B3 or Niacin. The topical version of Niacinamide
is formulated in a water-alcohol base so that it can penetrate
the skin more easily. The role of Topical Niacinamide in acne
treatment is the reduction of inflammation and redness that
occurs in most acne lesions. Niacinamide is an effective topical
anti-inflammatory agent that has mild exfoliating action,
enabling the skin to shed old skin cells and prevent pore
blockage. The mild exfoliating action of niacinamide is attributed
in its ability to speed up the differentiation or cell division
of keratinocytes. This acne medication also acts as a mild
moisturizer that increases the ceramide and free fatty acids
in the skin. Topical niacinamide can also mildly reduce the
amount of sebum on the oil gland. Some people use topical
niacinamide as a very safe skin lightening agent.
Precautions
and
Side
Effects:
Topical
Niacinamide can be used by pregnant women and is safe during
pregnancy. This acne treatment product is not intended to
be used on children.
No
adverse side effects. Mild exfoliation, lightening of the
skin
Effectiveness:
Data
demonstrate that 4% nicotinamide gel is of comparable efficacy
to 1% clindamycin gel in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Because
topical clindamycin, like other antimicrobials, is associated
with emergence of resistant microorganisms, nicotinamide gel
is a desirable alternative treatment for acne vulgaris.
(Source:
Shalita AR, Smith JG, Parish LC, Sofman MS, Chalker DK.Department
of Dermatology, State University of New York, College of Medicine,
Brooklyn, USA.)
Topical
application of niacinamide increases ceramide and free fatty
acid levels in the skin, it prevent the skin from losing water
content and it stimulates micro-circulation in the dermis.
(Source:
British Journal of Dermatology, September 2000, pages 524?531;
and Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, April 2004, page 88)
2%
niacinamide was shown in one small study to be more effective
than petrolatum (Vaseline) for reducing water loss from skin
and increasing its hydration levels.
(Source:
International Journal of Dermatology, March 2005, pages 197-202)
Fifty
subjects applied the 2% niacinamide moisturizer to the face
for 4 weeks and 50 subjects used a placebo moisturizer for
4 weeks, with sebum excretion rate (SER) measurements taken
at baseline, week 2, and week 4. In addition, 30 Caucasian
subjects were enrolled in a randomized split-face study for
6 weeks with SER and casual sebum levels (CSL) measured at
baseline, week 3, and week 6. Results : The results of the
Japanese study demonstrated that the SER of the two groups
was not significantly different at baseline, but the 2% niacinamide
treated group demonstrated significantly lowered SER after
2 and 4 weeks of application. The results were somewhat different
in the Caucasian study. After 6 weeks of treatment, the CSL
was significantly reduced, but the SER was not significantly
reduced. Conclusions : Topical 2% niacinamide may be effective
in lowering the SER in Japanese individuals and CSL in Caucasian
individuals.
(Source:
Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, Volume 8, Number 2,
June 2006 , pp. 96-101(6) The effect of 2% niacinamide on
facial sebum production,Authors: Draelos, Zoe Diana1; Matsubara,
Akira2; Smiles, Kenneth3)
Product
Information:
Topical niacinamide is available in cream, lotion or gel form.
Niacinamide concentration ranges from 2% to 5% by weight.
(Brand Name: Metazine)
Reviews and Comments:
“Although topical niacinamide does not kill acne-causing
bacteria, this acne medicine is a very good adjunct in multi-therapy
acne treatment. Topical niacinamide is indeed a good anti-inflammatory
and I have used this anti-acne product to treat Seborrheic
dermatitis and it works very well in reducing skin lesions.”
References:
1. Sorg O, Antille C, Saurat JH. Retinoids, other topical
vitamins, and antioxidants. Photoaging. Marcel Dekker, 2004:
89-115.
2. Chiu A, Kimball AB. Topical vitamins, minerals and botanical
ingredients as modulators of environmental and chronological
skin damage. Br J Dermatol 2003; 149(4): 681-691.
3. Lupo MP. Antioxidants and vitamins in cosmetics. Clinics
in Dermatology 2001; 19:467-473.
4. Using Aldara, copper peptide, and niacinamide for skin
care. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, Volume 24, Issue 1, Pages
83-84
J. Carraway
Last
updated: May 18, 2008
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