6th Annual Meeting of the GD (Society for Dermopharmacy), 20 - 22 March 2002, Hamburg University

Press Releases

Preserving a young appearance - new Substances against Skin-ageing
Dry skin - Causes and Treatment
Sun Protection after the Sun - New Preparations reverse DNA-injuries in Skin
News from the Field of dermocosmetic Sun Protection
New Strategies to fight Nail Mycosis
Widespread Disease Mycosis Pedis: Prophylaxis and Therapy

Press photos

Preserving a young Appearance
Sunglasses, Headgear and Textiles
Widespread Disease Mycosis Pedis
That hits the Nail on the Foot!

Participants in the press conference were:

Prof. Dr. med. Martina Kerscher (scientific conference head, Hamburg University, Department Chemistry, course of studies cosmetics and personal hygiene)
Prof. Dr. Rolf Daniels (scientific conference head, Institute for Pharmaceutical Technology, Technical University Carolo-Wilhelmina, Brunswick)
Prof. Dr. med. Jean Krutmann (Head of Institute for Research in the Field of Environmental Medicine, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf)
PD Dr. Ulrike Heinrich (Institute for Experimental Dermatology, Witten-Herdecke University)
Prof. Dr. med. Hans Christian Korting (GD Vice-President, President of the German Mycological Society, Clinic and Outpatient Clinic for Dermatology and Allergology, Clinical Center of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU) Munich)
Dr. Joachim Kresken (GD President, pharmacist, Irmgardis Pharmacy, Viersen)

Moderation:

Frank von Spee (imprint Publikation und PR, Hamburg)

Preserving a young Appearance

New strategies against skin-ageing in the course of the Annual Meeting of the Society for Dermopharmacy in Hamburg

The ageing process can be distinctly delayed by means of light protection products, humectant agents and antioxidants. This as well as other current trends from dermopharmaceutic research form the priorities of the Gesellschaft für Dermopharmazie's Annual Meeting which took place at the Hamburg University from 20 to 22 March.

On the occasion of the Annual Meeting the leading dermatological specialists of the German-speaking countries from the fields dermatology, pharmacy and cosmetics met for an interdisciplinary exchange of thoughts. "It is our goal", Dr. Joachim Kresken explained, President of the Gesellschaft für Dermopharmazie, "not only to discuss latest results from the field of research as well as topical trends in scientific circles but also to present them to the public at large."

Sun Protection, Formulations, Biotechnology, Full-thickness Model

This concerns for example latest insights of the dermocosmetic sun protection, referring to which a dedicated workshop with leading sun protection experts took place. In a further practice workshop the so-called extemporaneous preparation was dealt with: besides an extensive offer by the pharmaceutic industry, skin medicaments as ointments are frequently prepared in pharmacies also according to medical prescription. New active ingredients, formulations and innovative manufacturing methods make high demands to the specialized know-how of the pharmacist. "Pharmacies increasingly become a competence center for skin-healthiness, -protection, -cleansing and -care", Dr. Kresken emphasized, who himself leads a pharmacy. An additional priority of the conference was directed at innovative biotechnological procedures, as the so-called Tissue Engineering. Moreover, in the meantime full-thickness models can be produced synthetically. By means of such an artificially cultured skin -for example natural ageing processes of human skin can be simulated animal experiment-free and the effect of active substances can be analyzed.

Skin-ageing and Anti-age-active Substances

The subject skin-ageing meanwhile plays a crucial part in skin research due to the fact that the age group of the sixty- to eighty-year old permanently increases. "People grow much older on average than still hundred years ago", according to the scientific conference head, professor Dr. med. Martina Kerscher of the chair for cosmetics and personal hygiene at the department chemistry of Hamburg University. "Present-day research aims at retaining skin healthy far beyond the sixties and keeping a younger appearance". Thanks to dermopharmaceutic research, essential anti-age active substances could be identified meanwhile. Special importance is attached to light protection, as sunlight radiation over decades has an intense adverse effect on skin. In this context preparations based on a combined physical and chemical protective principle with modern UV filters and minimal allergy hazard are to be given preference. Humectant substances also present an important substance group for anti-ageing. They complete the natural skin barrier and protect from dehydration. Meanwhile also preliminary stages of the lipid biosynthesis can be produced, i.e. substances which are transformed to natural fat substances in skin.

Antioxidants, DNA-Repair Substances, Hormones

Since skin-ageing is also intensified by free radicals, the topical application of antioxidants as vitamin C and E, coenzyme Q 10, melatonine and green-tea extracts gives rise to a protective effect. Already existing signs of old age can be partly reversed by retinoids or fruit acids. Moreover, vitamin-A-acid does not only stimulate the resynthesis of collagen but also improves pigment shiftings. "In the meantime several substances as endonucleases and photolyases are known which are able to repair injuries at the DNA of the skin cells at least in part", as professor Kerscher informed about the latest findings. "In addition, the collagen disintegration in skin can be delayed by the topical application of hormones as progesterone. These mechanisms are at present subject to careful investigation."

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Water insufficient for Cleansing of dry Skin!

Society for Dermopharmacy: Prevention of further Dehydration with appropriate Cleansing and Care Products

Itching, reddening, feel of tension - dry skin poses a permanent problem for millions of people. In order to avoid additional strain on skin, many people use merely water for cleansing. This is an erroneous assumption, as the Gesellschaft für Dermopharmazie (GD) emphasized on the occasion of its Annual Meeting in Hamburg. With dry skin rather special cleansing and care products, the so-called dermocosmetics, should be employed which are skin tolerable and prevent a progression of skin dehydration.

The Society for Dermopharmacy has defined standards in guidelines which are to be fulfilled by cleansing and care products offered particularly for dry skin, e.g. shower baths, washing lotions, respectively facial care creams or body lotions. These recommendations to producers go far beyond the legal stipulations of the cosmetics decree: these products also designated as dermocosmetics are to meet dermatological and pharmceutical criteria regarding their effect as well as their tolerance.

Dermocosmetics require comprehensive Production Tests

"Dermocosmetics for dry skin are to equalize the lack of moisture and fat as well as improve the barrier function against irritants and allergens", professor Dr. Rolf Daniels of the Institut für Pharmazeutische Technologie (Institute for Pharmaceutic Technology) of Brunswick University and scientific head of the GD's Annual Meeting in Hamburg explained. The GD provides in their guidelines extensive effectiveness and tolerability proofs which the producer should document. "These guidelines convey the consumer a high level of safety as to the cleansing or care product being in fact suited for dry skin", according to Daniels.

Impaired Regenerative Function with dry Skine

Nevertheless, there is a profound assumption with many concerned that for the cleansing of dry skin no washing additive at all but only water should be used. "This assumption is fundamentally wrong", professor Daniels corrects. "Each contact with water removes a part of the hydro lipid film of the protective layer of our skin. This lack of moisture and fat with dry skin has to be particularly equalized by means of suitable products." Since healthy skin regenerates within a short period of time, this function is often impaired or decelerated with dry skin. Harmful substances from the outside are able to penetrate skin in a large number and the loss of humidity in skin increases.

Mild Cleansing plus additional Care

For a thorough skin cleansing, for example removal of persistent soiling, fat and facial colors, water is anyway not sufficient in most cases. These soilings are removed by means of surfactants, the wash-active substances in soaps, shower gels, etc. Due to the fact that soaps because of their alkaline reaction weaken the natural acid protective barrier also with dry skin, soap-free products, the so-called syndets are to be given preference. They are adapted to the physiological pH-value of skin and partly equipped with additional fat components for lipid layer enhancement. This lipid layer enhancement, however, is mostly insufficient with dry skin so that regular creaming with care products especially suited for this skin condition is necessary. Which products are best suited for this skin problem and how frequently they are to be used should be clarified in a consultation with a dermatologist or in the pharmacy.

Further Information

Detailed information regarding cleansing and care of dry skin is contained in the consumer booklet "Dry Skin" by the Gesellschaft für Dermopharmazie (GD). It can be obtained from: Gesellschaft für Dermopharmazie, Carl-Mannich-Straße 20, D-65760 Eschborn by sending a stamped (EURO 1,53) and readdressed envelope.

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Sun-caused Skin Injuries partly repairable

Enzymes from algae regenerate affected skin cells and strengthen the skin's immune system

Spreading, creaming, rubbing oil into the skin: who spends time in the sun, is well-advised to protect his skin before sunbathing. But what can be done if the sun has already been detrimental to the skin? While sun protection has so far only been possible in a prophylactic way, the dermocosmetic research has succeeded in developing an aftercare sun protection. It is able to regenerate sun damages of skin which have already taken place when it is used during and shortly after the sunbath. This is rendered possible by the enzyme photolyasis.

Certain algae types which swim just under the water surface, succeed in protecting themselves from the UV radiation of the sun by means of the repair enzyme photolyasis. "Photolyasis can be extracted from the alga anacystis nidulans. This extract processed in an emulsifier-free gel-formulation, is also able to remedy sun injuries in human skin", explains professor Dr. med. Jean Krutmann from the Institut für Umweltmedizinische Forschung (Institute for Environment-medical Research) at the Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf and member of the Gesellschaft für Dermopharmazie. "Human beings, in contrast to certain bacteriae, algae, fish and marsupial types, are not able to produce this enzyme themselves. However, in human skin it develops the identical natural repair effect as with these organisms."

Biochemical Reactions may cause Skin Cancer

If skin is exposed to the sun, a biochemical process in the DNA of human skin cells is initiated. Related thymine-based molecules on the DNA cord link up under UV-B radiation to so-called cyclobutane-pyrimidine-dimers (CPD). They produce gene mutations, suppress the skin's immune system and enhance thus the growth of tumor cells - "the first step towards skin cancer", as professor Krutmann explained.

Skin-specific Regeneration System has only limited Effect

Photolyasis is in a position to separate the dangerous CPD-complexes in unlinked thymine-bases again so that the DNA of the skin cells assumes its original form, thus before the UV-B light impairment. It is true that skin is able to regenerate automatically, however, only on a limited scale and in a considerable time period. Within 16 to 24 hours after sun exposure only half of the skin impairments are remedied in a natural way.

Enzyme swiftly repairs Skin Cells

The repair mechanism from the outside varies considerably. The photolyasis applied with the gel regenerates skin cells in a much shorter period of time. "We were able to observe that already after a thirty-minute affect-time approximately 45 percent of the crucial CPD-complexes were resolved, professor Krutmann reported. "The immune system of the skin is even restored to 100 percent". The photolyasis enzyme is then activated under the influence of light. "In order to achieve an optimal repair effect", according to professor Krutmann, "the user should let the photolyases take effect during and directly after the sunbath". Sun protection lotions containing photolyase, including moreover also sun protection filters as well as an after-sun-gel can already be obtained in pharmacies.

Dermocosmetic Sun Protection

After-sun gel and photolyase-containing sun protection products belong to the skin protection-, cleansing and care products which meet specially high dermatological and pharmaceutical standards. The producer is to perform effectiveness and tolerability proofs by applying recognized scientific methods for these so-called dermocosmetics according to the Gesellschaft für Dermopharmazie's view. The test results should be placed at the disposal of experts as physicians and pharmacists. Then they can serve as a basis for the advice of patients respectively customers. For certain product groups as cleansing- and care products for dry skin, the Gesellschaft für Dermopharmazie has already established corresponding guidelines as recommendation for the producers. "Such guidelines for the dermocosmetic sun protection are planned to come out in spring 2003", announces lecturer Dr. Ulrike Heinrich of the Institut für experimentelle Dermatologie (Institute for experimental Dermatology) at the University Witten/Herdecke.

New GD Guidelines entail increased Reliability

It is true that standards for the determination of sun protection factors in the UV-B-sector exist, for example the European Colipa-standard (Colipa=The European Cosmetic Toiletry and Perfumery Association). "However, there is not yet a standardized concept relating to other important criteria", according to Dr. Heinrich, "for instance in the UV-A-sector, with light dermatosis or regarding skin tolerability." The Gesellschaft für Dermopharmazie's target is therefore, to stipulate minimal requirements in form of guidelines. Dr. Heinrich: "this will contribute to an increased safety for all application groups which are subject to special protection, for example children, persons with very fair complexion, sportsmen, persons who are particularly exposed to sun because of professional reasons, suffering from light diseases or persons which are forced to take drugs with phototoxic side-effects. For this group of people there has been no sufficient documentation so far with sun protection products. As of 2003 this will change."

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Following on the Heels - Mycosis Pedis

Improved Drug entails permanent Healing

Approximately 30 percent of the population suffer from mycosis pedis. Quite frequently a temporary treatment is effected - until the ease of itching. But the fungus is not yet destroyed. It is searching for a new field of activity: the toenails. More than 20 percent of the population is affected by nail mycosis (onychomycosis). It was considered as being incurable for a long period of time. As the Society for Dermopharmacy informed on the occasion of its Annual Meeting in Hamburg, a drug subject to further development now remedies the disease.

Nail mycosis frequently "follows the mycosis pedis on the heels". "It is the typical secondary disease of an insufficiently treated fungal disease of the toe interdigital space, the so-called mycosis pedis", according to professor Dr. med. Hans Christian Korting, Vice-President of the Gesellschaft für Dermopharmazie. "Many diseased persons are affected by foot and nail mycosis at the same time". With the fungi-determined nail disease, onychomycosis, the nail plates change color into yellow-brownish, they deform and get brittle. Occasionally also the finger nails are affected.

More than a cosmetic Problem

A nail mycosis is frequently borne by the persons concerned, as it is not always connected with pains. "However, it is more than a cosmetical problem", expounded professor Korting on the occasion of the Gesellschaft für Dermopharmazie's Annual Meeting in Hamburg. "Many persons concerned complain of pains or trouble when walking". They avoided a treatment as in earlier times the toenails had to be pulled which was a very painful procedure. "These times are gone by far", Korting explained further. "Meanwhile nail mycosis can be treated with modern medicaments very effectively. However, what the patient still needs, is patience".

Exterior Therapy not always sufficient

Until the beginning of the ninetees nail mycosis was considered to be virtually incurable, due to the fact that it was hardly controllable by means of the interior or exterior treatment as usual in earlier times. Even if the nail seems to be free of fungi again, it is possible that in cavities of the toenails there are still spores, which cannot be reached by creams, tinctures and nail polishes. These fungal elements trigger new visible symptoms after some time. Professor Korting: "with a part of the patients only a systemical, interior therapy is able to remedy the disease as it exists for approximately ten years now". In those days the first antimycotics were introduced in the market with Itraconazole and Terbinafine which could be taken and showed internally a reliable effect. Though they do not have an effect on 30 to 40 percent of the patients. American data show moreover, that there are unwanted side-effects with some patients until the case of death. This is why these medicaments may only be prescribed for a duration of three to four months what is however not always sufficient for the treatment of the nail mycosis which is to be extended up to one year in some cases due to the slow nail growth.

Registration since September 2001

In the meantime the pharmaceutic research has improved an active substance which is equally qualified for the treatment of the nail mycosis: Fluconazole has already been used for a longer period of time for the treatment of fungal diseases in the intracorporal regions. In order to combat a nail mycosis, the drug is given in small doses and nevertheless obtains a reliable result. Since September of last year it is authorized for the treatment of the nail mycosis, as a rule for an application of six months, in certain cases also for a longer period. "For a duration of six months the patient usually takes once a week 150 milligram in form of a capsule", professor Korting explained. "The advantage of Fluconazole is that it can be administered over a longer period of time than the usual preparations for interior application, which is important in many cases for the treatment of the nail mycosis".

A Combined Therapy may be sensible

At times a combined therapy of a systemical drug as Fluconazole with urea ointments, laser treatment or the application of nail polish containing substances for the killing of fungi may be sensible. Professor Korting: "This way many patients can actually be permanently healed - a fact which seemed inconceivable in earlier times.

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Mycosis Pedis Prophylaxis as important as dental Hygiene

One third of the population is affected by mycosis pedis - particularly cost-effective: creams and sprays containing the active substance Terbinafine

Foot and nail mycosis have become a serious widespread disease. Meanwhile one third of the European population is affected. The Gesellschaft für Dermopharmazie therefore requests that parents explain their children the regular care of the feet, in particular of the interdigital space of the nails in the same manner as the daily dental hygiene.

"After every sporting activity, shower or swimming, children and juveniles should dry their feet thoroughly before putting on their sports shoes", suggests pharmacist Dr. Joachim Kresken, President of the Gesellschaft für Dermopharmazie. "Naturally the same applies to adults". Caused by the steadily growing popularity of saunas, solarium, fitness centers and fun baths, mycosis pedis has rapidly spread. It favors moist and warm environments and nests preferably in the interdigits. "Sports shoes, tennis socks and moist feet - this is the preferential environment for mycosis pedis", Dr. Kresken warns.

One third of the Population suffers from Foot or Nail Mycoses

In an extensive European study, the so-called Achilles project, patients in dermatological practices were examined relating to foot and nail mycosis as a matter of routine even when they consulted the physicians because of other complaints. The result was that one third of the patients was infected. "Meanwhile mycosis pedis has developed from a summer to an all-year disease", as Dr. Kresken observed. "And in most cases it remains with the patients for a long time, due to the fact that they do not treat it correctly or not at all."

Mycosis Pedis generates the Entry to Secondary Diseases

If mycosis pedis is not effectively treated, it represents an ideal entry for secondary diseases. Not only, that the infection can spread to other regions of the body, for example the armpit or the inguinal region. The fungi also nest in the sole of the foot or attack the toenails and lead then to the frequent nail mycosis. In addition, mycosis pedis impairs the natural skin barrier and favors thus bacterial infection diseases of the skin. Dr. Kresken: "A recent study gives evidence that the erysipelas is such a secondary disease". This is a painful bacterial skin disease which frequently appears at the lower leg and not seldom necessitates a stay in a hospital.

Reddening, Scaling, intense Itching

In order to eliminate such risks it is required to combat the mycosis pedis without delay, as soon as the typical reddening and scaling of skin and at times strong itching between the toes appears. For the treatment, various medicaments in form of creams, footbaths, tinctures, sprays and powders are available which are applied on the affected places. Creams have the advantage that they can be applied precisely on the infested spot. Sprays are especially suitable as prophylaxis, powder is indicated with intensely weeping mycoses pedis.

Active Agent Terbinafine: only seven days' Duration of Application

"The disadvantage of most preparations is that they have to be applied for a much longer period of time than the mycosis pedis shows", Dr. Kresken offers for consideration. Until the going down of the complaint, a treatment duration of mostly only seven to fourteen days is necessary; the application, however, has to be continued at least another fourteen days in order to make the fungi inactive. "Many diseased discontinue the treatment too early with the result that the mycosis pedis keeps on coming back again and again", Dr. Kresken expounds. "They lose their faith to ever lose their problem". Meanwhile a cream on the basis of the active agent Terbinafine is available which is an OTC drug since the beginning of last year. Of late Terbinafine is also available in spray form. The active substance kills fungi safely within seven days only and usually there is no necessity to use it longer than this time.

Recommended: drying Interdigits by means of a Hair Dryer

If mycosis pedis is treated insufficiently, not only the persons diseased but also other person are threatened by an infection. Scales and fungal spores loosen permanently from the feet and induce new infections in barefoot areas with other persons. Dr. Kresken therefore recommends to walk barefoot as seldom as possible not only in wet areas but for instance also in hotel rooms where infected scales can be located in fitted carpets. Bath shoes should be worn regularly and the feet dried with spreaded toes after having taken a shower or bath. Dr. Kresken; "it is even better to dry the interdigits by means of a hair dryer".

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Press photos relating to the 6th GD's Annual Meeting 2002

New Substances against Skin-ageing


Picture: Gesellschaft für Dermopharmazie

Preserve a young appearance: thanks to the dermopharmaceutic research, important anti-age-active substances could be identified in the meantime. Among them there are light protection- and humectant substances, antioxidants, DNA repair substances and hormones. They are able to partly reverse already arisen skin-ageing processes.



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Sun Protection after the Sun

Picture: Gesellschaft für Dermopharmazie

Sunglasses, headgear and textiles - this way a great part of the sunrays harmful for skin can be prevented. At uncovered parts of skin, sun protection products with sun protection filters and photolyasis help avoiding the sunrays. While filters are able to protect in a preventive way, the enzyme photolyasis can partly 'repair' skin injuries


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Widespread Disease Mycosis Pedis: Prophylaxis and Therapy

Picture: Gesellschaft für Dermopharmazie

Widespread disease mycosis pedis: approximately 30 percent of the population are affected. Many of them are never really healed from the disease, due to the fact that they do not treat it correctly or not at all. Meanwhile a cream and spray with the active substance Terbinafine is available which safely kills the fungi in case of infestation of the toe interdigits within seven days.

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That hits the Nail on the Foot!


Picture: Gesellschaft für Dermopharmazie

Nail mycosis is a typical secondary disease of insufficiently treated mycosis pedis, which has been considered as being incurable for a long period of time. Thanks to Fluconazole, an active ingredient that is taken in form of capsules, nail mycosis can now be healed by a therapy of six months' duration.

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