New research published in minerva surgeryPycnogenol has shown that it has the potential to provide manufacturers of cosmetics and personal care products with a novel, scientifically-backed ingredient to incorporate into their formulations to address skin discoloration and related conditions. .
This study investigated the effects of Pycnogenol on post-sclerotherapy hyperpigmentation, a cosmetic side effect that occurs in some patients. Franziska Weichmann, Scientific Communication and Product Development Manager at Hoferg Research, the world’s exclusive supplier of Pycnogenol, explained: Comparison of sclerotherapy (CS) with standard treatment. ”
Research design and methodology
This study included 161 healthy women who underwent CS to treat spider veins. This treatment works by injecting a sclerosing agent into the veins to seal the walls and stop blood flow. Although this procedure is minimally invasive, cosmetic side effects such as skin discoloration often occur.
Participants were divided into two groups. In one group of 84 participants, “Pycnogenol was administered as three 50 mg capsules the day before sclerotherapy and continued for 12 weeks,” Weichmann said. A control group of 77 participants “received standard management without additional medications” and had skin discoloration measured using an analog scale over the same period of time, Weichman continued.
Research Results: Pycnogenol Reduces Skin Discoloration
The study found that people who took Pycnogenol had significantly less skin discoloration than the control group. Professor Weichmann highlighted that “Pycnogenol improved healing and prevented skin discoloration after sclerotherapy, with lower mean skin staining scores and less discoloration per treated vein compared to the control group.”
The scale used to assess skin staining ranged from 0 (no staining) to 3 (visible staining >1 cm). After 12 weeks, the mean score of the Pycnogenol group was 0.4±0.2, while the score of the control group was 2.1±0.4, a statistically significant difference (P<0.05).
Mechanism of action: Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects
The study attributes Pycnogenol’s effectiveness to its powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. According to Weichmann, Pycnogenol reduces the buildup of hemosiderin, a pigment formed by the destruction of red blood cells that contributes to skin discoloration. “By limiting oxidative stress and inflammation, Pycnogenol minimizes localized iron deposition and free radical production, which are the main causes of skin staining and hyperpigmentation,” she explains. did.
This mechanism, supported by years of research into the wide range of skin care benefits of this ingredient, offers great value to manufacturers looking to develop products that target post-procedural hyperpigmentation and skin discoloration due to other factors.
Safety and future research
This study reported no adverse side effects among participants, reinforcing the safety profile of Pycnogenol in both oral and topical applications. With more than 40 years of clinical research and more than 50 research publications, Pycnogenol continues to build a reputation as a safe and effective ingredient for a variety of health and skin care issues, Weichmann reported.
Looking ahead, he acknowledged that further research is planned. “We are committed to continually exploring its benefits and applications to understand how it can be most effectively utilized, especially in skin care,” she said.
For cosmetic manufacturers and suppliers, this ongoing research could open the door to new formulations and applications of Pycnogenol in products designed to treat skin discoloration and promote overall skin health. there is.
Impact on cosmetics development
The findings of this study provide a valuable opportunity for manufacturers of cosmetics and personal care products to enhance their products with clinically proven ingredients that address a wide range of cosmetic concerns. Pycnogenol is already known for its ability to stimulate collagen production, hydrate and brighten the skin, making it a versatile ingredient in skin care products.
Regarding the ingredient’s broader potential, Weichmann concluded that “cosmetic products seeking to offer customers a solution to skin discoloration could add Pycnogenol as a clinically proven ingredient.” Ta. Pycnogenol provides a valuable addition to cosmetic products by preventing discoloration among its many benefits. ”
sauce: minerva surgery
2024, 79(2):161-5, doi: 10.23736/S2724-5691.23.10035-9
“Pycnogenol prevents skin hyperpigmentation after sclerotherapy”
Author: MR Cesarone et al.
