So Yeon Lee

Background: Sensitive skin syndrome (SSS) is a common disorder showing abnormal responses to stimuli, without approved treatments and unclear neuropathic mechanisms. Objective: To evaluate pregabalin efficacy in reducing SSS symptoms and identify predictors of treatment response. Methods: A systematic retrospective cohort of 112 clinically diagnosed SSS patients (mean age 40.5 years). The primary outcome was sensitive scale‐10 (SS‐10) score change at 12 weeks; response was defined as a ≥ 30% reduction. Secondary outcomes included dermatology life quality index (DLQI), hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS), skin biophysical parameters, von Frey thresholds and facial erythema. Results: At 12 weeks, 46.4% of patients responded. Most patients (86.6%) received less than 75 mg/day. Higher baseline SS‐10 scores ( r = 0.5) and tingling symptoms ( p = 0.050) were associated with greater response, while discomfort was associated with non‐response ( p = 0.005). SS‐10 scores correlated with DLQI ( r = 0.49) and total HADS ( r = 0.29). Reduced von Frey thresholds ( r = −0.28) and increased facial erythema ( r = 0.39) were observed in responders. Conclusion: Pregabalin improved symptoms in SSS, supporting its potential role in managing neuropathic features and reinforcing the neurogenic hypothesis underlying its therapeutic mechanism.

Background: Sensitive skin is often characterized by increased sensitivity to environmental and cosmetic stimuli, leading to pruritus and pain. Current treatments remain inadequate, leaving many affected individuals in discomfort. Troxerutin, a TRPV1‐inhibiting material, has shown potential in alleviating these symptoms by improving skin barrier function. Objective: This study evaluates the efficacy of a topical formulation containing troxerutin in reducing skin sensitivity, improving hydration, and enhancing the quality of life in individuals with sensitive skin. Method: Adult participants over 20 years old with clinically diagnosed sensitive skin applied a troxerutin‐containing moisturizer twice daily for 8 weeks. The effects were assessed using transepidermal water loss (TEWL), stratum corneum hydration (SCH), Sensitive Scale‐10 (SS‐10), and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Measurements were taken at baseline, 2, 4, and 8 weeks. Results: Twenty adult participants who were clinically diagnosed with sensitive skin were registered. Statistically significant reductions in TEWL were observed at 2 weeks ( p = 0.047) and 4 weeks ( p = 0.021), indicating an improvement in skin barrier function. SCH significantly increased after 2 and 4 weeks ( p = 0.007, p = 0.002). SS‐10 scores improved markedly, from 64.17 ± 12.96 at baseline to 39.84 ± 17.00 at 8 weeks ( p < 0.001), suggesting decreased skin sensitivity. The DLQI score improved from 18.60 ± 5.00 to 8.50 ± 5.10 ( p = 0.000), highlighting enhanced quality of life. Additionally, regional facial erythema—most notably in the cheeks and nose—was significantly reduced after 4 weeks of treatment, indicating a beneficial effect on localized vascular reactivity. Conclusion: Troxerutin significantly reduces pruritus and pain in individuals with sensitive skin and enhances skin barrier function and hydration, ultimately improving overall skin comfort and patient satisfaction.

Kim HO, et al. Ann Dermatol. 2025 May;37:e19. https://doi.org/10.5021/ad.24.157

Background: Sensitive skin causes discomfort from irritants, impacting quality of life. While hypoallergenic moisturizers help prevent moisture loss, some ingredients can still cause irritation. Treatments like steroids and calcineurin inhibitors have side effects, and chemical sunscreens can cause irritation in sensitive skin. Objective: In this study, we performed a patch test by applying Bariderm Shield Cream MD in patients with facial dermatitis or sensitive skin with weakened skin barrier function and investigated whether it had an effect in relieving clinical symptoms and improving skin barrier function. We also want to find out the safety of whether new dermatitis will not occur. Methods: 15 pruritus patients (average age 33.07 +/- 11.57) applied this twice daily for 8 weeks. Effectiveness was evaluated using SS10 (Sensitive scale-10), severity by area, TEWL (transepidermal water loss), and SCH (skin corneum hydration). We performed repeated measures ANOVA and post hoc analysis using Python statistics. Results: Fifteen pruritus patients (average age 33.07 +/- 11.57) applied this twice daily for 8 weeks. Effectiveness was evaluated using SS-10 (Sensitive scale-10), severity by area, TEWL (transepidermal water loss), and SCH (skin corneum hydration). SS-10 showed a significant difference at week 8. TEWL decreased after 8 weeks, while moisture increased after 4 weeks of application. Severity scores for erythema, scales, papules, and pustules on both cheeks notably decreased compared to baseline at week 4 and 8 after application. Conclusion: This study shows that Barriederm Shield Cream MD (R) is safe for patients with sensitive skin. It suggests that it is suitable for sensitive skin, with the result of improving the skin barrier, and addresses safety and efficacy issues.

Background: Patients with burn scars require effective treatments able to alleviate dry skin and persistent itching. Ion pairing has been employed in cosmetic formulations to enhance solubility in solvents and improve skin permeability. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the cosmetic formula “RE:pair (arginine–glutamate ion pair)”, we analyzed scar size, itching and pain, skin barrier function, scar scale evaluation, and satisfaction in our study participants. Methods: A total of 10 patients were recruited, and the formula was used twice a day for up to 4 weeks. Results: Itching was significantly alleviated after 4 weeks of treatment (95% CI = −0.11–1.71) compared to before application (95% CI = 2.11–4.68). Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) showed an 11% improvement after 4 weeks (95% CI = 3.43–8.83) compared to before application (95% CI = 3.93–9.88), and skin coreneum hydration (SCH) showed a significant 41% improvement after 4 weeks (95% CI = 43.01–62.38) compared to before application (95% CI = 20.94–40.65). Conclusions: Based on the confirmation that RE:pair improves skin barrier function and relieves itching, it is likely to be used as a topical treatment for burn scars pending evaluation in follow-up studies (IRB no. HG2023-016).

Background: Patients with burn scars often suffer from a ‘vicious cycle’ in which their skin becomes dry and pruritus. This greatly reduces patients' quality of life, but there is no well-known mechanism yet, and the development of drugs for effective treatment is necessary. Objective: This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of cosmetic formulation containing arginine glutamate ion pair (named as RE:pair) on epidermal barrier function and reducing pruritus. Materials and Methods: A total of 20 patients [15 male and 5 female; average age 48.35 ± 13.13 years] participated in evaluating the effectiveness of using the RE:pair formula topically twice daily for up to 4 weeks after burn pruritus. Treatment efficacy was evaluated by Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) for itching and pain, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin hydration, Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) evaluation, and the patient’s overall satisfaction. Results: This formula was well-tolerated, with significant relief of NRS for itching and pain score after 2nd weeks and 4th weeks of application (p < 0.05). The itching score was high in some patients, and overall, it decreased significantly after 4 weeks compared to before application. Also, the personal pain score decreased after 4th weeks. Overall TEWL showed 35 % improvement after 4th week, and 52 % improvement was confirmed in arms and 19 % in legs. The overall improvement effect of skin hydration was also 45 % (p = 0.0012), and the improvement effect was 40 % (p = 0.0371) in areas including arms and 54 % (p = 0.0313) in areas including legs. All patient satisfactory evaluations were "excellent". Conclusions: RE:pair formula was safe and effective in improving skin barrier and itch relief, and if further studies are conducted, it can be used as an excellent topical treatment for post-burn scar that strengthens the skin barrier.

Introduction: Exosomes play a key role in cell communication and are involved in both pathological and physiological processes. Autophagy dysfunction and oxidative stress are linked to immune-mediated inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis. Stem cell-derived exosomes exhibit immunomodulatory and antioxidant efficacy. Methods: We aimed to investigate the impact of psoriasis serum-derived exosomes on inflammation, oxidative stress, and autophagy in keratinocytes. Additionally, we explored the therapeutic potential of adipose-derived stem cell (ADSC) exosomes against inflammation induced by psoriasis serum exosomes. To validate psoriasis patient serum-derived exosomes and ADSC exosomes, we used nanoparticle tracking analysis, Western blotting, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence. qPCR was used to study changes in the gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress markers in HaCaT cells treated with psoriasis serum-derived exosomes or ADSC exosomes. The effects of these exosomes on autophagy in HaCaT cells were evaluated by Western blotting and immunofluorescence. Result: The treatment of HaCaT cells with psoriasis serum-derived exosomes increased proinflammatory cytokine production and oxidative stress-related factor (Nox2 and Nox4) expression and decreased Nrf2 expression via P65/NF-κB and P38/MAPK activation. Compared with healthy control serum-derived exosomes, psoriasis serum-derived exosomes decreased ATG5, P62, Beclin1, and LC3 expression and autophagosome production in HaCaT cells. Conversely, ADSC exosomes suppressed proinflammatory cytokine and oxidative stress production, and restored autophagy in HaCaT cells treated with psoriasis serum-derived exosomes. Discussion: These findings suggest that ADSC exosomes exhibit a suppressive effect on psoriasis serum exosome-induced inflammation and oxidative stress by regulating autophagy in keratinocytes.

Itching is an unpleasant sensation that provokes the desire to scratch. In general, itching is caused by dermatologic diseases, but it can also be caused by systemic diseases. Since itching hampers patients’ quality of life, it is important to understand the appropriate treatment and pathophysiology of pruritus caused by systemic diseases to improve the quality of life. Mechanisms are being studied through animal or human studies, and various treatments are being tested through clinical trials. We report current trends of two major systemic diseases: chronic kidney disease and cholestatic liver disease. This review summarizes the causes and pathophysiology of systemic diseases with pruritus and appropriate treatments. This article will contribute to patients’ quality of life. Further research will help understand the mechanisms and develop new strategies in the future.