美容学とトリコロジーのジャーナル

Copper has two key properties that make it an attractive component to introduce into textiles and socks in particular – it has potent biocidal properties and is an essential trace element vital for the normal function of skin. The capacity of copper oxide impregnated socks to kill fungi that causes tinea pedis (athlete’s foot) and to enhance skin elasticity has already been demonstrated. In the current study, we assessed the beneficial effect on the skin of the foot in the wider population by supplying socks impregnated with microscopic copper oxide particles to 5,000 individuals that were identified via an internet survey as people who had experienced athlete’s foot within the past 6 months or were concerned about the appearance of their feet. Each individual received 3 complementary pairs of socks and was asked to use them as they would normally use their own socks. After 90 days 3,603 paricipants answered an online questionnaire. The vast majority (82%) of responders that felt uncomfortable showing their bare feet in public before using the socks reported a meaningful improvement to their foot skin following the use of the socks for at least 5 hours a day. 61% of respondents reported elimination or reduction of their foot odor, and 60% reported stopping using a foot care regime or therapy due to using the supplied socks. 51% indicated that the socks improved the appearance of their feet and 58% indicated they were now more comfortable showing their feet in public. In view of the above, it can be concluded that the simple use of copper oxide impregnated socks for at least 5 hours a day helps improve the foot skin well-being and overall appearance of the skin.

Objective: Cradle cap is a multifactorial pediatric skin condition characterized by inflammation, irritation, and scalp flaking. The aim of this international, phase III, open-labeled, randomized, parallel-group study was to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of a pediatric gel (spring water, glycerol, panthenol, lactamide, PEG-60 almond glycerides, zinc sulfate), in addition to standardized hygiene, in infants suffering from cradle cap and/or mild to moderate seborrheic dermatitis.

Methods: During the 6 week study period, infants were randomly assigned to receive the study gel (gel group, n=65), applied before a standardized shampoo every day from the inclusion visit on Day 0 to Day 7 and every second or third day from Day 8 to Day 42, or only the daily shampoo (control group, n=62). Due to the absence of a published reference score, a total lesion score (combining measures of both the area involved and scale severity in each scalp quadrant; range 0-64) was used to evaluate efficacy.

Results: Significantly greater improvements in the total lesion scores were observed in infants from the gel group compared with those in the control group at D7 (-12.8 ± 8.1 versus -8.5 ± 6.9, p=0.002), D21 (-18.9 ± 9.8 versus -14.3 ± 9.6, p=0.009) and D42 (-22.3 ± 10.8 versus -17.5 ± 9.8, p=0.01). Complete recovery was reported in 73% of infants in the gel group, compared with only 50% in the control group (p=0.01). "Very good/Good" gel tolerance was observed in more than 98% of infants.

Conclusion: The cradle cap gel efficiently reduced Pityriasis capitis from the first post-inclusion visit on day 7 and tolerance was satisfactory in this specific population. This gel, in addition to a daily hygiene routine, provides a good alternative to commonly used treatments. Combined with use of a mild shampoo, it could be used for first line topical care of infants with cradle cap, with or without mild to moderate seborrheic dermatitis.