Metazine gel

So, I added Metazine gel to my existing regimen. Its a topical niacinamide gel (5%). I've been doing a bit of research on topical niacinamide and it seems like a really great skin care ingredient. There are tons of articles on pubmed about its use for acne, hyperpigmentation, skin-hydration, wrinkle reduction and its anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and anti-aging effects.

I don't get much acne anymore - mostly a few blackheads here and there, and the occasional small inflamed lesion. I think I am still acne prone, but have been able to manage the problem with my topical treatments and with diet/supplements. But, since niacinamide seems to have so many beneficial effects on the skin and is good for those who are acne-prone, I wanted to give it a try.

I have used it for two nights, with no adverse reactions so far. Its obviously too soon to say much more than that, but will say that my skin has felt very soft when I wake up in the morning!

Here are Metazine's ingredients:

de-ionizied water, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, niacinamide, Hamamelis virginiana, kosher vegetable glycerin, propylene glycol, Carbomer, TEA, Methyl/Propylparaben

Niacinamide and sedation

I started taking 500 mg of niacinamide a little over a week ago. I don't get much in the way of inflamed acne anymore - maybe one or two spots every few months or so. But, I liked the idea of adding an antiinflammatory to my diet anyway. I am already taking a zinc/copper supplement and fish oil.

After a couple days of starting the niacinamide (taking it in the evening) I started feeling very fatigued. I thought I was getting sick, but never did. But the tiredness lingered on for several days. I read a few articles that indicated that one of the side effects of high doses of niacinamide is sedation. It apparently has anti-anxiety effects on the brain and works similarly to benzodiazapines. I stopped taking it for a couple of days and the fatigue is mostly gone now.

Wondering if anyone else had this experience?? I'm switching to a topical version of niacinamide, but was just curious to know if others had the same problem with the oral supplement.

Copper fiber pillowcase reduces wrinkles

I bought one of these about 9 months ago. According to the recent study, sleeping on a copper fiber pillowcase really does reduce wrinkles and improve skin appearance. The only research that was available before this were the clinical trials done by the company that makes the pillowcases. Nice to see additional confirmation from this new study!


Improvement of facial skin characteristics using copper oxide containing pillowcases: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel, randomized study
Authors: Borkow, G.1; Gabbay, J.1; Lyakhovitsky, A.2; Huszar, M.3

Source: International Journal of Cosmetic Science, Volume 31, Number 6, December 2009 , pp. 437-443(7)

Abstract:

Synopsis

Copper plays a key role in several processes of skin formation and regeneration. Copper has been shown to be absorbed through intact skin. We hypothesized that sleeping on fabrics containing copper-impregnated fibres would have a positive cosmetic effect on the skin. The aim of this study was to confirm our hypothesis. A 4-week, double blind, parallel, randomized study was carried out in which 57 volunteers aged 40-60 years used either copper oxide containing pillowcases (0.4% weight/weight) or control pillowcases not containing copper. Photographs were taken by a professional photographer of each participant at the beginning of the study and at 2 and 4 weeks after the commencement of the study. Two expert graders (a dermatologist and a cosmetologist) evaluated the pictures for the effect on several cosmetic facial skin characteristics. The copper-containing pillowcases had a positive effect for the following facial characteristics: reduction of wrinkles (P < 0.001) and crow's feet/fine lines (P < 0.001) and improvement of general appearance (P < 0.001) at both 2 and 4 weeks. The differences were statistically significant (Wilcoxon scores and chi-squared tests). Consistent sleeping for 4 weeks on copper oxide containing pillowcases caused a significant reduction in the appearance of facial wrinkles and crow's feet/fine lines and significant improvement in the appearance of facial skin. In most trial participants, this effect was already noticeable within 2 weeks of using the copper oxide containing pillowcases.

Research on niacinamide and acne treatment

Here are the abstracts from all the studies I could find that discussed niacinamide and acne. Notice that all of the studies use niacinamide/nicotinamide and NOT niacin (I assume for safety purposes?). I think one misconception I see in the other niacin thread is that people assume you need the flushing activity in order to get the anti-acne effects. I don't think that the flush has anything to do with the acne treatment properties of niacin, and it seems to be safe to take niacinamide in therapeutic level doses (500-750 mg) for long periods of time. I think you would have to take higher doses of niacin to get similar therapeutic levels?
There has been research on its use orally and topically. It has anti-inflammatory properties, seems to affect p. acnes, and also helps moisturize the skin and has anti-aging effects. There is a prescription medication for acne called Nicomide that contains niacinamide, zinc, copper, and folic acid. Research has found it to be comparable to clindamycin for treating inflamed acne. From what I have read, it seems to mainly be effective for inflamed acne. One study also found that it decreased sebum excretion levels.

Another interesting finding that I saw is that niacinamide has the ability to block the inflammatory actions of iodides known to precipitate or exacerbate inflammatory acne. (that finding came from Wikipedia, which I generally am skepetical about as far as accuracy, so I need to find the original reference for that one)




J Drugs Dermatol. 2008 Jul;7(7 Suppl):s2-6.

Topical vitamins.

Burgess C.

The Center for Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Washington, DC, USA. cheryl.burgess@ctr4dermatology.com

Vitamins are a natural constituent of human skin and are part of a system of antioxidants that protect the skin from oxidative stress. There has been an increased interest in the use of natural antioxidants such as vitamins to help restore dermal antioxidant activity. Vitamins A, C, E, and B3 have been shown to have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, but to achieve optimal effectiveness, products must be delivered in appropriate formulations. Products containing alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E), L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C), retinol (vitamin A), and niacinamide (vitamin B3), are effective for the treatment of photoaging. These compounds have also shown effectiveness in the treatment of inflammatory dermatoses, acne, and pigmentation disorders and wound healing. There is emerging evidence that combinations of vitamins have additive effects that provide enhanced efficacy compared with individual compounds.

1: J Cosmet Dermatol. 2004 Apr;3(2):88-93. Links

Nicotinic acid/niacinamide and the skin.

Gehring W.

Hautklinik am Klinikum der Stadt Karlsruhe, Karlsruhe, Germany.

Nicotinic acid (also generally known as niacin) and niacinamide (also known as nicotinamide) are similarly effective as a vitamin because they can be converted into each other within the organism. The blanket term vitamin B(3) is used for both. Niacinamide is a component of important coenzymes involved in hydrogen transfer. Here, the two codehydrogenases, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP) are of central importance. Topical application of niacinamide has a stabilizing effect on epidermal barrier function, seen as a reduction in transepidermal water loss and an improvement in the moisture content of the horny layer. Niacinamide leads to an increase in protein synthesis (e.g. keratin), has a stimulating effect on ceramide synthesis, speeds up the differentiation of keratinocytes, and raises intracellular NADP levels. In ageing skin, topical application of niacinamide improves the surface structure, smoothes out wrinkles and inhibits photocarcinogenesis. It is possible to demonstrate anti-inflammatory effects in acne, rosacea and nitrogen mustard-induced irritation. Because of its verifiable beneficial effects, niacinamide would be a suitable component in cosmetic products for use in disorders of epidermal barrier function, for ageing skin, for improving pigmentary disorders and for use on skin prone to acne.

1: Cutis. 2006 Jan;77(1 Suppl):17-28. Links

The Nicomide Improvement in Clinical Outcomes Study (NICOS): results of an 8-week trial.

Niren NM, Torok HM.

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pennsylvania, USA.

The Nicomide Improvement in Clinical Outcomes Study (NICOS) was an open-label, multicenter, prospective cohort study designed to assess the clinical utility of oral pharmacologic doses of nicotinamide and zinc in 198 patients with acne vulgaris and/or rosacea. The study's primary efficacy measures were patient global evaluation and patient evaluation of the percentage of reduction in inflammatory lesions after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment; overall patient satisfaction also was recorded. The study formulation consisted of nicotinamide 750 mg, zinc 25 mg, copper 1.5 mg, and folic acid 500 microg, marketed as Nicomide (Nic/Zn). Nic/Zn was designed to deliver adequate concentrations of nicotinamide and zinc to effectively treat inflammatory cutaneous conditions with a safety profile suitable for long-term administration. After a relatively short treatment period of 4 weeks, the number of patients enrolled in NICOS who reported improvement was significantly greater (P<.0001) than the number who reported either no change in or worsening of their condition. Of the patients studied, 79% reported their improvement in appearance as moderately better or much better, as measured by patient global evaluation, and 55% reported moderate (26%-50% reduction in lesions) or substantial (>50% reduction in lesions) improvement after 4 weeks of treatment (P<.0001). The percentage of patients who responded to therapy continued to increase through the 8 weeks of treatment. When comparing patients who received concomitant oral antibiotic therapy (51/198, 26%) with those who received Nic/Zn tablets as their only oral therapy (147/198, 74%), the percentage of patients who responded to treatment was not significantly different between treatment groups (P=. 13). This finding was particularly interesting given that most patients studied considered their condition to be of at least moderate severity (143/198, 72%). It appears that the addition of an oral antibiotic to a treatment regimen that includes Nic/Zn tablets may not be necessary because the combination did not significantly increase the percentage of patients responding. Nic/Zn tablets appear to be an effective oral therapy for the treatment of acne vulgaris and rosacea when used alone or with other topical therapies and should be considered a useful alternative approach to oral antibiotics for the treatment of acne vulgaris and rosacea.

Cutis. 2006 Jan;77(1 Suppl):11-6. Links

Pharmacologic doses of nicotinamide in the treatment of inflammatory skin conditions: a review.

Niren NM.

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pennsylvania, USA.

Various skin disorders with an inflammatory component often have been treated with steroids and/or oral antibiotics. However, long-term use of these agents has drawbacks: steroids may induce numerous serious side effects such as hypertension, immunosuppression, and osteoporosis, and overuse of oral antibiotics may contribute to the development of bacterial resistance, as well as to a host of nuisance side effects such as diarrhea, yeast infections, and photosensitivity. As a result, alternative oral treatments, such as nicotinamide, have been investigated. During the past 50 years, many clinical reports have identified nicotinamide as a beneficial agent in the treatment of a variety of inflammatory skin disorders; what's more, its exceptional safety profile at pharmacologic doses makes it a potentially ideal long-term oral therapy for patients with inflammatory skin diseases. A recent large study evaluating nicotinamide for the treatment of acne or rosacea has confirmed the potential benefits of oral nicotinamide as an alternative approach to managing inflammatory lesions associated with acne vulgaris and acne rosacea. This article reviews the substantial number of reports published over the past 50 years that document the clinical utility and safety of oral and topical formulations of nicotinamide for the treatment of a variety of inflammatory skin conditions.

1: Cutis. 2006 Jan;77(1 Suppl):5-10. Links

The mechanisms of action of nicotinamide and zinc in inflammatory skin disease.

Fivenson DP.

Nicotinamide (niacinamide), a physiologically active form of niacin (nicotinic acid), in combination with zinc is being assessed in clinical studies for the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases such as acne vulgaris and bullous pemphigoid. The basis for these investigations is the variety of potential mechanisms of action of nicotinamide and zinc, including an anti-inflammatory effect via inhibition of leukocyte chemotaxis, lysosomal enzyme release, lymphocytic transformation, mast cell degranulation, bacteriostatic effect against Propionibacterium acnes, inhibition of vasoactive amines, preservation of intracellular coenzyme homeostasis, and decreased sebum production. Other possible mechanisms involve suppression of vascular permeability and inflammatory cell accumulation, as well as protection against DNA damage. The goal of this paper is to review the pathophysiology of inflammatory skin diseases and discuss the role, mechanisms of action, and safety of nicotinamide and zinc as therapeutic options for these disorders.

1: J Cosmet Laser Ther. 2006 Jun;8(2):96-101. Links

The effect of 2% niacinamide on facial sebum production.

Draelos ZD, Matsubara A, Smiles K.

Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27262, USA. zdraelos@northstate.net

BACKGROUND: The presence of sebum on the face is responsible for both facial shine and the formation of comedonal and inflammatory acne lesions. Sebum control is a goal of many OTC skin care products; however, most currently available products function by absorbing sebum from the face rather than modulating its production. OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the effect of topical 2% niacinamide on sebum excretion rates and casual sebum production in Oriental and Caucasian populations. METHODS: Separate clinical trials were conducted in both Japan and the USA to evaluate the effect of topical 2% niacinamide in different ethnic groups. A total of 100 Japanese subjects were enrolled in a double-blind, placebo-controlled comparison between two independent balanced groups. 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.

1: Aesthet Surg J. 2004 Jan-Feb;24(1):83-4. Links

Using Aldara, copper peptide, and niacinamide for skin care.

Carraway JH.

The author states that Aldara can be effective in treating actinic keratosis, Bowen's disease, and basal cell carcinomas; copper peptide has been shown to be useful in wound healing; and topical niacinamide may be beneficial in treating acne. The full therapeutic potential of these agents in a skin care and rejuvenation regimen remains to be explored.

1: Int J Dermatol. 1995 Jun;34(6):434-7. Links

Topical nicotinamide compared with clindamycin gel in the treatment of inflammatory acne vulgaris.

Shalita AR, Smith JG, Parish LC, Sofman MS, Chalker DK.

Department of Dermatology, State University of New York, College of Medicine, Brooklyn, USA.

BACKGROUND. Systemic and topical antimicrobials are effective in the treatment of inflammatory acne vulgaris; however, widespread use of these agents is becoming increasingly associated with the emergence of resistant pathogens raising concerns about microorganism resistance and highlighting the need for alternative nonantimicrobial agents for the treatment of acne. Nicotinamide gel provides potent antiinflammatory activity without the risk of inducing bacterial resistance. METHODS. In our double-blind investigation, the safety and efficacy of topically applied 4% nicotinamide gel was compared to 1% clindamycin gel for the treatment of moderate inflammatory acne vulgaris. Seventy-six patients were randomly assigned to apply either 4% nicotinamide gel (n = 38) or 1% clindamycin gel (n = 38) twice daily for 8 weeks. Efficacy was evaluated at 4 and 8 weeks using a Physician's Global Evaluation, Acne Lesion Counts, and an Acne Severity Rating. RESULTS. After 8 weeks, both treatments produced comparable (P = 0.19) beneficial results in the Physician's Global Evaluation of Inflammatory Acne; 82% of the patients treated with nicotinamide gel and 68% treated with clindamycin gel were improved. Both treatments produced statistically similar reductions in acne lesions (papules/pustules; -60%, nicotinamide vs. -43%, clindamycin, P = 0.168), and acne severity (-52% nicotinamide group vs. -38% clindamycin group, P = 0.161). CONCLUSIONS. These 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.

1: J Dermatol Sci. 2009 Nov;56(2):106-12. Epub 2009 Sep 1. Links

Nicotinamide inhibits Propionibacterium acnes-induced IL-8 production in keratinocytes through the NF-kappaB and MAPK pathways.

Grange PA, Raingeaud J, Calvez V, Dupin N.

Hôpital Cochin - Pavillon Gustave Roussy, Université Paris Descartes, UPRES-EA 1833, Laboratoire de Recherches en Dermatologie, 8, rue Méchain, 75014 Paris, France. philippe.grange@cch.aphp.fr

BACKGROUND: Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) has been implicated in the inflammatory phase of acne vulgaris. It has been shown to activate interleukin-8 (IL-8) secretion by interacting with Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR-2) on the surface of keratinocytes. Nicotinamide has been shown to be an effective treatment for skin inflammation in various conditions, including acne vulgaris. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory properties of nicotinamide in keratinocytes stimulated by P. acnes. METHODS: HaCaT cells and primary keratinocyte cell lines were stimulated by P. acnes in the presence of nicotinamide. IL-8 production was monitored by ELISA on the cell culture supernatant and by qRT-PCR on total RNA extract. A luciferase reporter system assay was used to assess nicotinamide activity with the IL-8 promoter in transfected keratinocytes. We used western blotting to analyze the effect of nicotinamide on activation of the NF-kappaB and MAPK pathways. RESULTS: Nicotinamide significantly decreased IL-8 production in a dose-dependent manner, decreasing both mRNA and protein levels for this chemokine in immortalized HaCaT cells and primary keratinocytes. P. acnes-induced IL-8 promoter activation seemed to be downregulated by nicotinamide, which inhibited IkappaB degradation and the phosphorylation of ERK and JNK MAP kinases. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that nicotinamide inhibits IL-8 production through the NF-kappaB and MAPK pathways in an in vitro keratinocytes/P. acnes model of inflammation. Keratinocytes involved in the innate immune response may be a suitable target for treatment during the early phase of inflammation.

1: Int J Cosmet Sci. 2005 Oct;27(5):255-61. Links

Nicotinamide - biologic actions of an emerging cosmetic ingredient.

Otte N, Borelli C, Korting HC.

Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University of Munich, Munich, Germany.

Nicotinamide, the water-soluble amide of nicotinic acid, is a component of the two most important coenzymes - nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate. Thus nicotinamide is involved in numerous oxidation-reduction reactions in mammalian biological systems. Nicotinamide essentially acts as an antioxidant. Most effects are exerted via poly-adenosine diphosphate-ribose polymerase inhibition. Thus nicotinamide increasingly gains interest in the prevention and treatment of several skin diseases. It is well established in the systemic therapy of pellagra, a deficiency disease linked to nicotinic acid, but with respect to topical use there is still a need for further evidence with respect to its manifold potential uses. Currently, its local use is established in the care of acne-prone skin.

Nicotinamide inhibits p.acnes

I know some people here are having success with oral niacin and niacinamide. This study used a topical niacin treatment. I noticed that the Vivant retinoid that I use (Derm A Gel) not only contains retinyl proprionate and lactic acid, but it also contains niacinamide.


1: J Dermatol Sci. 2009 Nov;56(2):106-12. Epub 2009 Sep 1. Links

Nicotinamide inhibits Propionibacterium acnes-induced IL-8 production in keratinocytes through the NF-kappaB and MAPK pathways.

Grange PA, Raingeaud J, Calvez V, Dupin N.
Hôpital Cochin - Pavillon Gustave Roussy, Université Paris Descartes, UPRES-EA 1833, Laboratoire de Recherches en Dermatologie, 8, rue Méchain, 75014 Paris, France. philippe.grange@cch.aphp.fr

BACKGROUND: Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) has been implicated in the inflammatory phase of acne vulgaris. It has been shown to activate interleukin-8 (IL-8) secretion by interacting with Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR-2) on the surface of keratinocytes. Nicotinamide has been shown to be an effective treatment for skin inflammation in various conditions, including acne vulgaris.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory properties of nicotinamide in keratinocytes stimulated by P. acnes.

METHODS: HaCaT cells and primary keratinocyte cell lines were stimulated by P. acnes in the presence of nicotinamide. IL-8 production was monitored by ELISA on the cell culture supernatant and by qRT-PCR on total RNA extract. A luciferase reporter system assay was used to assess nicotinamide activity with the IL-8 promoter in transfected keratinocytes. We used western blotting to analyze the effect of nicotinamide on activation of the NF-kappaB and MAPK pathways.


RESULTS: Nicotinamide significantly decreased IL-8 production in a dose-dependent manner, decreasing both mRNA and protein levels for this chemokine in immortalized HaCaT cells and primary keratinocytes. P. acnes-induced IL-8 promoter activation seemed to be downregulated by nicotinamide, which inhibited IkappaB degradation and the phosphorylation of ERK and JNK MAP kinases.

CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that nicotinamide inhibits IL-8 production through the NF-kappaB and MAPK pathways in an in vitro keratinocytes/P. acnes model of inflammation. Keratinocytes involved in the innate immune response may be a suitable target for treatment during the early phase of inflammation.