Skin Cap for psoriasis: features of cream, spray and shampoo, reviews of treatment

Photo: smed.ru

Photo: first-pharmacy.rf

Photo: psor-service.ru

Photo: skincap.ru

SKIN-CAP shower gel (SCIN-CAP) is a cosmetic product for daily care of skin prone to irritation and peeling, redness, and acne. Non-hormonal remedy. Active ingredient: Pyrithione zinc.

Analogs

SKIN-CAP shower gel has a calming effect, eliminates dryness and flaking of the skin, gently cleanses and moisturizes it. Dispensed without a doctor's prescription!

Composition and release form

The products are available in three forms: spray, cream and shampoo.

The aerosol is an oily solution, the color of which can range from white with a slight yellowish tint to yellow. Has a specific smell.

Cream and shampoo are white.

The active substance in all three products is zinc pyrithione in activated form.

Auxiliary components of the spray for psoriasis Skin cap are:

isopropyl myristate;
polysorbate;
trolamine;
propellants;
ethanol;
water.

The cream contains the following ingredients:

glycerol monostearate and distearate;
capryl caprylate;
isopropyl;
tegosoft E20;
isopropyl palmitate;
methyldextrose polyglyceryl distearate;
glycerol;
butylated hydroxytoluene;
propyl parahydroxybenzoate;
stearyl alcohol;
sucrose and fatty acids of coconut oil;
ethanol;
cyclomethicone;
flavorings.

The shampoo contains:

Tego Perley S-96;
coconut oil fatty acid propyl betainamide;
Tego sulfonate 2427;
sodium lauryl sulfate;
copolymer of macrogol, dimethicone and propylene glycol;
flavoring (geraniol, phenylethanol, citronellol, terpineol).

Properties and composition

The popularity of Skin Cap for psoriasis is due to its high efficiency and ease of use. The product is available in various forms, making it convenient to use for treating any area of the skin.

The main active ingredient is zinc pyrithione. Properties of the drug:

wound healing;
antibacterial;
antifungal;
vasodilator.

The emollient properties of the product depend on the form of release. Skin Cap gel and ointment for psoriasis contain different formative components, therefore they are recommended for different areas of the skin. The ointment effectively nourishes and softens plaques due to its oily consistency.

The pharmacological properties of the drug are quite wide. The drug is active against a wide range of pathogenic and opportunistic microorganisms and fungi, thereby preventing the risk of infection when psoriatic plaques are damaged.

The cytostatic properties of the drug make it possible to stop the division of epidermal cells, as a result, the rate of progression of psoriasis in the acute stage decreases. Thanks to its oily consistency, the cream effectively eliminates specific symptoms after the first use.

The method of use and indications depend on the form of release.

Skin Cap comes in various forms

pharmachologic effect

Skin cap is used to treat psoriasis and a number of other dermatoses. The active component, zinc pyrithione, exhibits antimicrobial and antifungal activity. It has a bacteriostatic and fungistatic effect, i.e. it inhibits the proliferation of bacteria and fungi. The mechanism of action of zinc pyrithione is to reduce the energy reserves of the cell (ATP level), resulting in a sharp change in charge on its membrane (depolarization). As a result, pathogenic bacteria and fungi die, but the cell itself is not damaged. The big advantage of zinc pyrithione is that the substance not only eliminates symptoms, but also acts on the very cause of inflammatory and infectious processes (bacteria, fungi, viruses).

The product is active against a number of pathogenic microorganisms. Maximum activity is manifested by fungi of the Pityrosporum group, which are associated with the occurrence and maintenance of inflammatory phenomena and cause accelerated division of epidermal cells (hyperproliferation) in psoriasis, seborrhea, and other dermatoses.

The active ingredient Skin cap suppresses the proliferation of skin cells that are in the stage of active division. However, it does not have a similar cytostatic effect on normally dividing cells.

The drug also contains methyl ethyl sulfate, a surface-active ingredient that increases the permeability of the skin and ensures rapid absorption of the active ingredient and its achievement of the deep layers of the epidermis, thereby increasing its effectiveness in psoriasis.

According to experts, Skin Cap cream also exhibits hydrating activity.

Pharmacokinetics

External use of products with activated zinc pyrithione leads to its retention (deposition) in the layers of the epidermis and the superficial layer of the dermis. The process of systemic absorption is slow. The substance is found in the blood in trace amounts.

Indications

Skin cap in the form of an aerosol, cream and shampoo is recommended for use as an effective remedy for psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis. The drugs can be used in the treatment of adults and children starting from the age of one year.

Spray and cream are also used for atopic dermatitis, neurodermatitis, and eczema.

The cream can be prescribed for diseases accompanied by dry skin.

The shampoo is suitable for use for the following disorders and diseases:

itching of the scalp;
dandruff;
dry and oily seborrhea;
atopic dermatitis with damage to the scalp.

Analogs

The composition of the drugs is identical to the drug Skin-cap:

Psoricap;
Friderm zinc;
Tsinocap.

Analogues of the drug for therapeutic action are:

Vishnevsky ointment

The active ingredients are castor oil, tar and xeroform.
Release form: balsamic liniment for external use. The drug has a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect. Indicated for use in abscesses, boils, burns, bedsores, frostbite, psoriasis, vascular diseases of the lower extremities, trophic ulcers, lymphadenitis and lymphangitis, thrombophlebitis and so on. The ointment is distributed on the affected area 2-3 times a day or a gauze bandage soaked in the product is applied, which is changed once every 2-3 days. Treatment is carried out for 6-20 days.

Side effects: with prolonged use of the drug, allergies are possible.

Contraindications : intolerance to the components of the drug.

Keto plus

The active ingredients are ketoconazole (an antifungal antibiotic) and zinc pyrithione.
Release form: shampoo. Prescribed for the treatment and prevention of dermatological diseases and lesions of the scalp caused by fungal microflora.

Apply the shampoo to the scalp for 3-5 minutes, then foam and rinse thoroughly with water. Treatment is carried out daily for 7 days or for a month, using the product 2 times a week. To prevent exacerbation, it is recommended to wash your hair with shampoo daily for 3-5 days a month or use the product once a week.

Side effects: local manifestations of allergies, increased dryness or oiliness of the scalp, rarely - change in hair color.

Contraindications : intolerance to the components of the product.

Psoril

The basis of the drug is a complex of extracts from medicinal plants, zinc pyrithione.
Release form: tablets and granules for oral use, cream, spray, shampoo intended for use on the scalp. Psoril is indicated for the treatment of psoriasis with skin lesions of no more than 20% of the total body area. When the pathological process is widespread, the drug is used in combination with other drugs.

Tablets (1 piece) and granules (8 pieces) are dissolved in the sublingual area 3 times a day. The duration of therapy is 2-3 months; if necessary, a repeat course is prescribed after 30 days.

The cream is distributed on the affected areas 2-3 times a day without rubbing. The spray is sprayed onto the body from a distance of 10-20 centimeters 2-3 times a day. The duration of treatment is determined by the doctor.

Apply the shampoo to damp hair, foam and rinse with water. Carry out the procedure again, but leave the product on the head for 5 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. The drug is suitable for long-term daily use.

Side effects: local and general manifestations of allergies.

Contraindications : intolerance to the components of the product, children's age.

Friderm tar

The active ingredient is wood tar (willow).
Release form: shampoo. Prescribed for the treatment of seborrhea and psoriasis affecting the scalp. Also used to remove excess fat from the skin.

Shake the bottle before use, apply a small amount of shampoo to damp hair and gently rub into the skin until a rich foam forms. Leave it for 3-5 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with water and repeat the procedure. Use the drug 1-2 times a week. The duration of therapy for seborrhea is 1-3 months, for psoriasis - from 8 to 12 weeks.

Side effects: local manifestations of allergies.

Contraindications: intolerance to the components of the product

Does Skin Cap contain hormones?

Many sources claim that the products in this series are not hormonal. Manufacturers also insist on this. However, these drugs are prohibited for use in European countries and the USA. The website of the US Federal Department even contains a special warning about the dangers of treating psoriasis and other diseases with Skin Cap drugs. The fact is that they contain a powerful hormonal component - clobetasol. According to experts, the presence of a hormone in an anti-inflammatory drug is not a violation, but the manufacturer must certainly warn about this and indicate the dosage of the hormonal component: this will allow the doctor to prescribe a safe individual treatment regimen to patients. As for Skin Cap, the hormone is not listed in its composition, but laboratory tests made it possible to detect it.

Clobetasol is a glucocorticosteroid agent that has anti-inflammatory, antipruritic, and antiallergic effects. It is used for all forms of psoriasis, with the exception of widespread plaque and pustular.

The mechanism of action of the corticosteroid is due to the induction of the formation of lipocortin proteins, which inhibit the activity of phospholipase A2. Clobetasol also inhibits the synthesis of arachidonic acid and its metabolic products - leukotrienes, prostaglandins. Helps eliminate hyperemia, swelling, itching in the treated area. Local application may result in the substance entering the systemic circulation. The likelihood of this especially increases when treating large areas of the skin.

Contraindications and side effects

The information given in the instructions indicates only one contraindication - individual intolerance to the drug. The instructions suggest using the drug to treat inflammation of the epidermis caused by viruses, bacteria and fungi. However, the presence of the hormone in the composition limits the scope of use only to psoriasis and eczema, since clobetasol is contraindicated in fungal and viral diseases.

Thus, before using the drug, you should consult your doctor, since the instructions cannot be fully trusted. The presence of clobetasol imposes a number of other restrictions, so Skin Cap is prohibited for use in cases of acne, skin tuberculosis and malignant pathologies of the skin.

Possible side effects are caused by clobetasol in the drug. Long-term use of Skin Cap can lead to the development of:

skin allergic reaction;
pigmentation disorders;
secondary skin infections;
folliculitis;
atrophy of the epidermis;
pustular psoriasis.

It is recommended to consult a doctor before starting to use the product.

How to use

Aerosol Skin Cap is shaken well and sprayed onto areas affected by psoriasis, held vertically at a distance of 15 to 17 cm. Use 2 or 3 times a day. The course of treatment is continued until the desired result is achieved. According to reviews, a lasting effect occurs when treatment is continued for another 7 days after the disappearance of clinical manifestations of the disease. When treating the scalp, use the included attachment. The average course duration is 1-1.5 months. If necessary, it can be repeated after an interval (1 month or more).

The cream is applied in a very thin layer to the areas where plaques are located twice a day. Duration of treatment is up to 1.5 months.

Apply the shampoo in the required amount to damp hair, give a light massage to the scalp, rinse, apply the Skin cap again and leave on the hair for about 5 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water. Shake the bottle vigorously before use. According to reviews, for psoriasis the effect appears after 14 days of using the shampoo. The course duration is on average 5 weeks. The frequency of use is 2 or 3 times a week; during the period of remission, treatment can be continued to prevent relapses. In this case, shampoo is used 1 or 2 times a week. The product does not affect the condition of the hair or its color.

Application diagram

Aerosol and cream are applied twice a day to the affected area. You cannot rub the medicine in; using bandages can lead to the development of cracks and erosions on the skin. The product is applied in a thin layer. The course of treatment is 30-45 days.

The shampoo can be applied either once, leaving for 5 minutes, or twice. It is used as needed, but not more than three times a week. The duration of treatment with shampoo is up to five weeks.

The effectiveness of treatment with the drug appears 15 days after the start of treatment - plaques decrease in size, gradually heal, and the skin is restored. The discomfort goes away after the first use.

Contraindications

According to the official instructions, the use of Skin Cap cream, spray or shampoo for psoriasis is not recommended only if you are individually sensitive to their components.

However, the presence in the product of a hormonal component not declared by the manufacturer significantly expands the list of contraindications. Joining him:

rosacea or acne acne;
skin infections of bacterial, viral or fungal etiology (including herpes, actinomycosis, chickenpox);
perioral dermatitis;
lupus;
skin cancer;
age up to 1 year (when using cream) and up to 18 years (for shampoo).

Use during pregnancy

According to doctors, as a result of using products with zinc pyrithione, no undesirable consequences are observed in pregnant women. But, given the content of clobetasol in Skin Cap cream and spray, experts consider it inappropriate to use the product during pregnancy. During treatment, it is recommended to stop breastfeeding due to the risk of the hormone passing into breast milk. Clobetasol can have a negative effect on the process of synthesis of endogenous glucocorticosteroids, leading to growth inhibition and a number of other adverse effects in the baby. Considering the local use of Skin Cap products and the small dosage of the hormonal component, the likelihood of a negative effect on the body is not very high, however, it must be taken into account.

Side effects

During the initial period of treatment with spray and cream, a burning sensation may occur in the treated area. According to reviews from patients who have used Skin Cap, this phenomenon quickly passes.

The use of shampoo for psoriasis sometimes provokes allergic reactions. In rare cases, allergies also occur as a result of using the cream.

When prescribing Skin Cap products, it is also necessary to take into account the likelihood of adverse events associated with the presence of the hormonal component of clobetasol. These include:

itching;
dry skin;
irritation;
hypopigmentation;
hypertrichosis;
prickly heat;
acne;
development of secondary infection;
allergic contact dermatitis;
perioral dermatitis;
formation of stretch marks;
development of the pustular type of psoriasis.

In very rare cases, with long-term use, the following are possible:

skin cracking;
ulceration;
folliculitis;
erythema;
skin atrophy;
telangiectasia;
numbness of fingers.

Such consequences can occur when applying occlusive dressings and with simultaneous local use of drugs with highly active glucocorticosteroids.

If skin irritation occurs, the drug is discontinued and the necessary measures are taken to eliminate it.

Experts warn that the occurrence of allergic dermatitis indicates the absence of a therapeutic effect from the use of local remedies. If allergic contact dermatitis develops as a result of the use of topical medications without corticosteroids, an exacerbation of the underlying disease is observed.

Application of clobetasol products to large areas of the body can provoke systemic reactions:

ulceration of the gastrointestinal mucosa;
gastritis;
allergic reactions;
symptoms of hypercortisolism;
increased intraocular pressure.

The allergic nature of skin changes is confirmed through appropriate allergy tests.

Patient reviews

Patients respond differently to the product. Many were satisfied with the treatment and did not notice any side effects from the hormonal substance hidden in the composition.

Anna, 32 years old Despite the hype around Skin Cap, I continue to use this product, since it is the only thing that controls psoriasis on the scalp.

Ivan, 35 years old Thanks to Skin Cap aerosol, I have been keeping my skin in order for several years now. In case of exacerbation, two weeks of using the product is enough for the plaques to begin to disappear.

Irina, 24 years old Prescribed the medicine to herself without consulting a doctor. As a result, I ruined my skin at my own expense - vulgar psoriasis turned into pustular psoriasis. Be careful.

Alina, 43 years old The medicine is not safe, but I use it as prescribed by the doctor. I didn’t notice any deterioration, but I didn’t notice any improvement either. The only thing that Skin Cap copes well with is rashes on the head, so I recommend paying attention to the shampoo, but not to the cream. Regular salicylic-zinc ointment works better for plaques and costs several times less.

Precautionary measures

Dermatologists believe that the presence of clobetasol in Skin Cap products is a good reason to limit the duration of treatment. If necessary, the course is repeated. When treating small areas, drugs can be used longer.
With prolonged use of products containing clobetasol, the risk of atrophic changes on the skin of the face is higher than on other parts of the body.
When treating psoriasis with Skin Cap drugs, it is necessary to avoid getting them into the eyes, since the hormonal substance can provoke an increase in intraocular pressure.
If the cream is applied under a bandage, the skin must be thoroughly cleaned when changing it: the humidity and heat created by sealed bandages create favorable conditions for the development of a bacterial infection.
When using shampoo for psoriasis, do not allow it to come into contact with your eyelids or eyes due to the risk of cataracts or glaucoma. It is also undesirable for Skin cap products to come into contact with the ulcerated surface of the skin. The shampoo is designed specifically for treating the scalp. They should not be used on other areas of the body - in particular, facial skin, folded skin areas in the armpits, groin and anal areas, and eroded areas. Treatment of the listed areas may cause local side effects: atrophy, dermatitis, telangiectasia.
Dermatologists recommend taking special care in the presence of infectious skin lesions. The use of Skin cap in such cases is undesirable. It should be remembered that the very use of drugs with clobetasol and other hormones can cause the development of infectious skin lesions. In such cases, the necessary antibacterial and fungicidal agents are prescribed.

Treatment of children

According to the instructions, Skin cap products are approved for use in the treatment of psoriasis in children starting from 1 year. According to reviews, they are well tolerated and in most cases do not cause reactions from the child’s body. However, experts do not recommend long-term use of this series of products for children under 12 years of age, since the clobetasol included in them can provoke undesirable effects. It is known that local use of glucocorticosteroids sometimes leads to inhibition of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system and the development of Cushing's syndrome. This is due to the higher ratio of children's body surface area to body weight. It is possible that adrenal insufficiency may develop both during and after therapy. Other possible consequences of using products with hormonal ingredients for psoriasis in children include:

formation of stretch marks;
growth retardation;
weight gain;
increased intracranial pressure, accompanied by bulging fontanelles, papilledema, and headaches.