COPPERTONE Solar Research Center Unveils Studies on Efficacy of Topical Antioxidants in Sunscreens

Posted by Reporter on Friday

Schering-Plough HealthCare Products, Inc., the consumer healthcare division of Merck & Co., Inc., the makers of COPPERTONE, announced today at the 2010 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology the results of studies demonstrating the efficacy of topical antioxidants in broad spectrum sunscreens.

An ex vivo study conducted by an independent researcher for the COPPERTONE Solar Research Center revealed that using certain antioxidants in sunscreens reduced the formation of damaging free radicals by 74% in skin’s outer layers exposed to UV.  This provides significant evidence that sunscreen products containing certain antioxidants can help fortify skin’s natural defenses. The implications of this research are especially pertinent to those whose skin may be more vulnerable to the effects of sun exposure due to outdoor exercise activities.

A separate independent 12-week clinical (in vivo) trial demonstrated that daily use of broad spectrum sunscreens containing specialized blends of antioxidants found in select products in the 2010 COPPERTONE sunscreen line can provide additional skin health benefits beyond UV protection.

“Emerging research shows that Vitamin E, one of the primary antioxidants in the sunscreen we tested, is a key ingredient for preserving skin’s barrier function and for helping to maintain skin health,” said Robert Bianchini, PhD, Vice President of Research and Development at the COPPERTONE Solar Research Center. “Since Vitamin E may be lost from the skin during environmental stress, such as outdoor exercise, using a broad spectrum sunscreen with antioxidants proven to help restore these elements is important.”

Not All Antioxidants Are Equal Under UV Light

Ex vivo studies evaluated the overall effectiveness of topical antioxidants contained in the sunscreens for reducing free radical formation caused by sun exposure.  Research has shown that not all topical antioxidants are equal under UV conditions.  In fact, UV radiation may cause an unexpected reaction with certain topical antioxidants — including some plant extracts — when exposed to sunlight, transforming them into damaging pro-oxidants.  For that reason, the researchers tested the antioxidant ingredients used in the sunscreens, COPPERTONE SPORT with Replenishing Antioxidants and COPPERTONE KIDS with Protective Vitamins, to ensure they continue to function properly in conditions similar to “real-world” sunscreen use.

The 12-week clinical trial showed that the daily use of sunscreen lotions with the appropriate antioxidants can also provide significant cosmetic benefits. In participants who began the study with signs of mild to moderate photodamage, clinical evaluators saw measurable improvement in a number of parameters that contribute to the cosmetic signs of premature aging, including visible dryness, mottled skin tone, laxity, roughness, and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

“Topical antioxidants are rapidly emerging as a breakthrough innovation in suncare,” added Dr. Bianchini. “The results of our research demonstrate that there are many skin health benefits and applications to adding antioxidants to a sunscreen formula — and we will continue to explore advancements in how this technology can be used with sun protection to help maintain overall skin health.”

About COPPERTONE

COPPERTONE SPORT and COPPERTONE KIDS are registered trademarks of Schering-Plough HealthCare Products, Inc., the consumer healthcare division of Merck & Co., Inc.

About Schering-Plough Consumer HealthCare Products, Inc., the consumer healthcare division of Merck & Co., Inc.

Today’s Merck is working to help the world be well. Schering-Plough Consumer HealthCare Products, Inc. is the over-the-counter division of Merck. Each day, millions count on one or more of our industry-leading brands that help prevent or treat various common conditions. These include household names such as CLARITIN for allergies, COPPERTONE for sun care, DR. SCHOLL’S for foot care, and many more. Merck. Be well. For more information, visit www.merck.com.

ShareThis

Go to source

BLU-U

Posted by Reporter on

DUSA Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on dermatology, will unveil an ergonomically enhanced BLU-U Blue Light Photodynamic Therapy Illuminator at this year’s American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) meeting in Miami, Florida, March 5-9. BLU-U, in conjunction with the Levulan Kerastick topical treatment, is an integral part of the Levulan Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) technology platform.

Maintaining efficacy and improving ease of use among providers were paramount to the inception of the enhancements to the BLU-U, which include:

• Height adjustment using a new rotary design that allows for easier operation
• Larger casters and a post handle for easier mobility
• Pivoting post for compact, small footprint storage and easy movement within the treatment facility

“The mechanical improvements to the BLU-U were specifically designed with practitioners in mind, while still providing them with a highly uniform, efficient, and economic blue light source to treat patients,” stated BLU-U co-inventor, Scott Lundahl, DUSA’s Vice-President, Regulatory Affairs and Intellectual Property.

The patented BLU-U design utilizes microprocessor feedback control to automatically deliver a consistent, uniform blue light dose to a large treatment area such as the entire face or scalp. In combination with Levulan Kerastick, it is indicated for the treatment of Grade 1 and 2 actinic keratoses (AKs) of the face or scalp.  Alone, the BLU-U is specifically cleared for the treatment of moderate inflammatory acne.

About Levulan PDT and the BLU-U

Levulan Kerastick for Topical Solution plus blue light illumination using the BLU-U blue light photodynamic therapy illuminator is indicated for the treatment of Grade 1 and 2 actinic keratoses (AKs) of the face or scalp. AKs are the most frequently diagnosed skin disease by U.S. dermatologists with over 5M treatment visits per year. DUSA is also in clinical development of its Levulan PDT technology platform for the broad-area treatment of AKs and the prevention of new non-melanoma skin cancer in chronically immunosuppressed solid organ transplant recipients.

DUSA’s patented BLU-U Blue Light Photodynamic Therapy Illuminator offers effective, non-invasive and pain-free light treatment for moderate inflammatory acne.  Narrow band blue light causes a photodynamic effect within the pilosebaceous gland that kills P. acnes, the bacteria primarily responsible for acne.  BLU-U treatments can be a primary treatment, an alternative to pharmaceuticals and topicals, or an addition to skin care programs.  In September 2003, DUSA received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market the BLU-U without Levulan PDT for the treatment of moderate inflammatory acne vulgaris and general dermatologic conditions.

About Actinic Keratoses

Actinic keratoses are rough-textured, dry, scaly patches on the skin caused by excessive exposure to ultraviolet light, such as sunlight. They occur most frequently on sun exposed areas such as the face, scalp, ears, neck, hands and arms. They form on the outermost layer of skin and they can range in color from skin toned to reddish brown. They can also range in size from as small as a pinhead to larger than a quarter.

About Acne

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, acne is the most common skin disorder in the U.S., affecting 40 to 50 million Americans. There are many types of acne, the most common of which is called acne vulgaris. Just beneath the surface of the skin lie hundreds of tiny glands called sebaceous glands. Their function is to collect and excrete the oily substance called sebum, to keep the skin healthy. However, the tiny pathway for the sebum to escape often becomes clogged and a bacterium called P. acnes grows inside. In a short time, the area swells up and forms a lesion on the skin. At certain times of life, this process becomes very active, troublesome and hard to control.

About DUSA Pharmaceuticals

DUSA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is an integrated dermatology pharmaceutical company focused primarily on the development and marketing of its Levulan photodynamic therapy (PDT) technology platform, and other dermatology products. Levulan PDT is currently approved for the treatment of Grade 1 and 2 actinic keratoses (AKs) of the face or scalp. DUSA is researching the use of Levulan PDT to prevent AKs and squamous cell carcinomas in immunosuppressed solid organ transplant recipients and is supporting research related to oral leukoplakia in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health (NIH). DUSA also markets other dermatology products, including ClindaReach. DUSA is based in Wilmington, Mass.  Please visit our website at www.dusapharma.com.

ShareThis

Go to source