Colorado West Dermatology

Skin Care Newsletter

 New Skin Care Treatments

The science of dermatology is always evolving. This last month has seen the introduction of several new medications for the treatment of acne and psoriasis, as well as beauty enhancement.

Vectical® Ointment for Mild-to-Moderate Plaque Psoriasis

Vectical® ointment (calcitriol) is a new a topical treatment for mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis in adults.  Calcitriol is the naturally-occurring, active form of vitamin D3 and is well-tolerated even when applied to sensitive skin fold areas.

Studies compared twice-daily doses of Vectical Ointment to placebo. Improvements in those with mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis began after 2 weeks among those who used Vectical. By the end of the study, 34 percent of patients using Vectical achieved treatment success, compared with 22 percent of those treated with placebo.

EpiDuo®– New Treatment for Acne

Epiduo® (adapalene and benzoyl peroxide) is a new once-daily, topical treatment for acne treatment that combines adapalene, the same active ingredient in Differin®, with benzoyl peroxide. Epiduo Gel treats both inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions with no evidence of promoting antibiotic resistance. Studies indicate that Epiduo Gel reduces total acne lesions by approximately 18% as early as the first week of treatment.

Latisse®– A new way to enhance eyelashes.

The FDA recently approved Latisse® (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution) 0.03% as a new treatment to increase eyelash length, thickness and darkness. It is a once a day prescription medication that is applied to the base of the upper eyelashes with a disposable applicator. Longer, fuller and darker eyelashes can be seen in less than 8 weeks, with full results in 16 weeks. Continued treatment is required to maintain the effect.

Sunscreen Update

Protecting oneself from the damaging UV rays of the sun is a fundamental step for maintaining healthy and youthful-appearing skin. Sun protection includes seeking shade, and wearing hats, sunglasses and sun protective clothing. It also requires wearing sunscreen daily and selecting an appropriate sunscreen.

The fact that daily sunscreen can decrease the incidence of skin cancer is now well established by several clinical studies. One recent study of 1,600 Australians showed that the incidence of squamous cell carcinoma (a type of skin cancer) decreased by 38 percent among those who used a sunscreen daily (SPF 15+) (Australians are often chosen for skin cancer studies because they are fair-skinned and live in a sunny land.)

The American Association of Dermatology (AAD) recommends that a "broad spectrum" sunblock with an SPF of at least 15 that is applied daily to all sun exposed areas, then reapplied every two hours.

It is important to select a sunscreen that offers protection from UVA rays. UVA is one type of ultraviolet radiation produced by the sun. UVB, which is the primary cause of sunburn, is another. Although UVA penetrates the skin deeper than UVB, and contributes to photoaging, carcinogenicity, and immunosuppression, there has not been a standardized measure of UVA protection. The "SPF" rating found on sunscreens measures the ability of the sunscreen to protect you from UVB ONLY.

A previous report by the Environmental Working Group showed that of 386 sunscreens with SPF ratings higher than 30, only 13% protected users from UVA rays.

The FDA has been developing a new "star" ranking  (0 to 4 stars) that will help consumers evaluate a sunscreen's UVA protection, but these are not yet publicly available. Sunscreens ingredients that have been found to offer UVA protection include Parsol 1789, Helioplex, and Mexoryl (found in Anthelios). Physical sunblocks, made of micronized zinc oxide or titanium oxide also provide UVA protection and are gentle enough for children and every day use.

Read more about "New Sunscreen Labeling: Breakthrough or Burden?"