Lactoferrin and zinc reduce acneA randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to determine the efficacy and safety of lactoferrin with vitamin E and zinc as an oral therapy for mild to moderate acne vulgaris.
Difficult to isolate vitamin E's effect
We observed how a combination of lactoferrin, vitamin E, and zinc might affect mild to moderate acne. In a rigorously designed study, 168 participants aged 13 to 40 were randomly assigned to receive either a treatment capsule containing these ingredients or a placebo twice a day over the course of three months.
The results showcased that those taking the lactoferrin combination saw a notable reduction in acne lesions—an early 14.5% improvement after just two weeks, reaching a maximum of 28.5% reduction by week ten. While vitamin E was part of the treatment, it’s essential to understand that it was combined with lactoferrin and zinc. This means we can't pinpoint vitamin E's specific role in the improvements observed.
Throughout the trial, no adverse effects were reported, reinforcing the safety of the treatment. Overall, this study presents promising findings for those struggling with mild to moderate acne, particularly with the effective dosing of lactoferrin alongside vitamin E and zinc.
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We explored the effects of vitamin E on acne by conducting an open-label study with 17 patients who had mild to moderate acne vulgaris. Over eight weeks, these patients followed a standard regimen involving salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, with the addition of topical vitamin E in sunflower seed oil.
Throughout the study, we observed that all participants experienced clinical improvements, including a reduction in the number of acne lesions. Interestingly, significant improvements were noted as early as Week 2, indicating that vitamin E may play a beneficial role in managing acne symptoms. Furthermore, patients reported positive feedback regarding the ease of application and tolerability of the treatment.
Although we cannot definitively say vitamin E is a cure for acne, our findings suggest that it may help alleviate some symptoms when used alongside established treatments. This research sheds light on the potential of topical antioxidants like vitamin E in the ongoing battle against acne, inviting further exploration into their effectiveness and role in skincare.
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Vitamin E shows positive acne effectsModulation of sebum oxidation and interleukin-1α levels associates with clinical improvement of mild comedonal acne.
Limited isolation of vitamin E's effect
We looked into how a combination of RetinSphere® and vitamin E affects mild comedonal acne (MCA). In our study, we measured important factors like sebum oxidation and inflammatory markers before and after treatment in 18 patients with MCA and 10 healthy controls.
Our findings showed that while the amount of sebum and squalene was similar before treatment between the groups, patients with MCA had higher levels of lipid peroxidation and oxidized squalene. These elevated markers contribute to inflammation and acne formation.
After 4 weeks, there was a notable decrease in oxidized lipids and inflammation markers in the lesions, bringing them in line with unaffected areas. These changes were accompanied by visible clinical improvement in the patients by the 8-week mark.
Yet, it’s important to recognize that while vitamin E was part of the treatment mix, this study did not isolate its specific effects. Thus, while we observed positive results, we cannot definitively attribute all improvements directly to vitamin E alone.
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Microneedling depth impacts scarsEvaluation of microneedling depth of penetration in management of atrophic acne scars: a split-face comparative study.
Moderate relevance to collagen treatment
In our exploration of treating atrophic acne scars, we focused on the effects of different microneedling depths using Dermapen. We designed a split-face study involving 14 individuals, where each side of their face received a different treatment depth over six sessions, spaced two weeks apart.
On one side, the needles penetrated 2.5 mm into the skin, while the other side used 1.5 mm. We observed a noticeable difference in the improvement of scars, with the deeper 2.5 mm treatment showing significantly better results both clinically and at a cellular level.
The findings suggest that deeper microneedling might foster better collagen induction, which is crucial for skin repair. Both treatments improved collagen and elastin fibers, but the more profound impact from the deeper needles highlights how penetration depth might be a key factor in achieving effective results in scar management.
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We set out to explore the effectiveness of collagen treatment for atrophic acne scars using two different approaches: polycaprolactone (PCL) threads and microneedling combined with platelet-rich plasma (PRP). In our research, 24 patients participated in a split-face study where one side of the face was treated with PCL threads, and the other side underwent microneedling with PRP. Each participant received four sessions of microneedling on one side, while the other side was treated with just one session of threads.
After monitoring the patients for six months, we observed a significant improvement in skin texture and scar appearance. Specifically, 95.8% of patients noted progress on the side treated with threads compared to 83.3% on the microneedling side. Additionally, satisfaction ratings were notably higher among those who received the thread treatment.
Both procedures were associated with mild side effects, like transient swelling and redness, which cleared up quickly. Our findings suggest that PCL threads could be a promising collagen-boosting alternative for treating acne scars, providing effective results with minimal discomfort.
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