Abstract:
Oily face is common dermatologic problem. People with oily face may cause uncomfortable and lack of self-confidence to some people. Oily skin is caused by excess skin sebum. Currently there is no standard treatment to cure oily face however we found that zinc has an ability to reduce sebum production by blocking enzymes 5 alpha-reductase. At high concentrations, zinc could completely inhibit the enzyme activity. Previous study showed that topical zinc could improve acne and sebum production but in combined with other drugs and in low concentration. However, the higher concentration of pure topical zinc efficacy to reduce facial sebum excretion has never been evaluated
Objective: To determine the effectiveness of 5% Zinc Oxide lotion compared to Base lotion for sebum reduction, satisfaction and safety in Thais.
Material and Methods: Thirty participants were chosen randomly by simple random sampling with facial sebum more than 100 microgram/cm2 measured by sebumeter. Each participants randomly assigned 5% Zinc Oxide lotion on one side of the face and Base lotion on other side of the face. Participants were instructed to apply the lotion twice daily for 8 weeks with the follow-up every 2 weeks. The effectiveness evaluation will be measured by the ability to reduce sebum level of the skin surface; above the eyebrows, below the eyes, nose, chin and average whole side of face, participants satisfaction and side effects by physical examination and questionnaire.
Results: Thirty participants completed the study. The 5 % Zinc Oxide lotion and Base lotion group showed that there has been a reduction sebum every week, starting from the first week (baseline value) with p=<0.001. When comparing with Base lotion we found that 5% Zinc Oxide lotion can significantly reduce more sebum level on above the eyebrows, below the eyes, chin area and average whole side of face on week 4, 6, 8 (p=<0.001, p <0.001,p <0.001 respectively)and nose area on week 6, 8 (p=<0.001<0.001 respectively). Participants seem to be satisfy increased every assessment however we found no significant difference between the experimental group and the control group. With regard to safety, the study shown side effects that there is 3.33% of the participants (one participant) having some mild reversible side effects (disappeared in two days) including mild dryness erythema and scaling at both sides of the nasal folds
Conclusion: 5 % Zinc Oxide lotion showed statistical significant reduction in sebum level compare with base lotion and more evidently through the test period. However, the study was not show the difference of satisfaction for 5 % zinc oxide lotion and Base lotion. The study concludes that 5 % zinc oxide lotion is effective and safe to use for facial sebum reduction.