Niacin-Based Therapy Repairs Damaged Skin
This article was featured in the Aesthetic Buyers Guide Jan/Feb 2007 Issue:
“By enhancing cell repair, the aging
process is slowed down and damage to
the skin is reduced.”
The Pro-Niacin molecule is the backbone of the NIA 24 skincare
product line manufactured by Niadyne, Inc. (Research
Triangle Park, N.C. and Tucson, Ariz.), and distributed exclusively
through Mentor Corporation (Santa Barbara, Calif.).
“I truly believe that the Pro-Niacin molecule is one of the best
breakthroughs we have seen in anti-aging skincare since retinoic
acid,” said Julie Salmon, M.D., a dermatologist and partner at
Southwest Skin Specialists in Phoenix and Scottsdale, Ariz. “This
molecule is the most active form of niacin. Niacin has fantastic
effects on the skin. It is really the energy vitamin. In this active
form, niacin fuels cell repair. Although our body has a natural
repair system in place, it is not always at its optimum. Niacin actually
helps to energize this cell repair system at the DNA level.”
Dr. Salmon noted that many competing skincare products focus
on collagen or surface changes in the skin. “But repairing DNA
is a direct key to potentially reducing the risk of skin cancer and
slowing the aging process.”
All four NIA 24 skincare products: a Gentle Cleansing Cream,
a Physical Cleansing Scrub, a Skin Strengthening Complex
repair cream and a Sun Damage Prevention 100% Mineral
Sunscreen SPF 30, contain the Pro-Niacin molecule.
Dr. Salmon strongly recommends the repair cream. “It is non-irritating
and very cosmetically elegant. It also provides outstanding
hydration by reducing transepidermal water loss.” Patients apply
the cream at night or twice a day. Another option is for patients
to use the NIA 24 sunscreen during the day and the repair cream
at night.
According to Dr. Salmon, the cleansing scrub provides “a nice
amount of gentle exfoliation with jojoba beads, which houses the
active ingredient. The beads provide gentle physical exfoliation,
so it is a great product to use in the shower, for instance.” People
can use the cleansing scrub on the face, neck, chest and even
hands and arms, two to three times a week.
For daily usage, the SPF 30 mineral sunscreen “is excellent.
For daily facial sunscreens, once the SPF is above 30, you tend
to compromise the cosmetic elegance, which decreases patient
compliance,” Dr. Salmon noted. Mineral sunscreens are less irritating
than chemical sunscreens and offer broad-spectrum protection.
The mineral sunscreen can also act as adjunct protective
therapy after a light chemical peel or a laser procedure for
optimum full broad-spectrum ultraviolet A and B coverage.
“Mineral sunscreens reduce the potential for irritation,” Dr.
Salmon pointed out.
Typically, within the first month of using a combination of the
NIA 24 skincare products, “patients will notice that their skin is
much smoother,” Dr. Salmon observed. “It is usually the textural
changes that people will notice first. Skin is also better hydrated.”
At about three months, “skin tone has improved considerably. In
addition, the general redness of the skin tends to be diminished
and much more even in its pigmentation. Brown pigment often
becomes softened.”
Dr. Salmon recommends that patients begin a skincare regimen
with the NIA 24 line because it is extremely non-irritating and
enhances hydration. “The skin barrier also becomes stronger and
patients notice immediate results,” she said. Later, patients can
comfortably start using a retinoid because “their skin has been
prepared to receive more irritating agents.”
Tess Mauricio, M.D., a dermatologist and owner of Scripps
Ranch Dermatology and Cosmetic Center in San Diego, Calif.,
has been dispensing the niacin-based product line for about five years. “I think there is very good science behind it, so it is not your
ordinary cosmeceutical,” she noted. “Patients are able to tolerate
the products well and they are efficacious. Patients are very, very
happy with the results. I recall only two people over the past five
years who were unable to tolerate the products because of slight
irritation. Every other person has told me they love the products.”
Besides being easy to apply, the NIA 24 product line acts as
an anti-inflammatory agent, “so it is great for patients with chronic
sun damage or those who have very sensitive skin from
rosacea, for example,” Dr. Mauricio said.
Furthermore, the Pro-Niacin molecule “has good science to show that it prevents the
transfer of pigment to the top layer of the skin, so it sort of acts as
a lightening agent, but without being a hydroquinone product.”
Hence, the NIA 24 line is “great for maintenance, especially for
patients who undergo laser treatments. There is also a decrease in
the recurrence of brown spots, broken capillaries and rosacea.”
Patients may also reap the medical benefit of potentially reducing
sun damage.
Dr. Mauricio encourages most of her patients to invest in all four
NIA 24 products if they are financially able. “I love every single
one of these products.” The complete package costs the patient a
little more than $200 for a two to three month supply. “This is not
very expensive compared to other physician-dispensed products,”
Dr. Mauricio noted.
The Physical Cleansing Scrub should be used two to three times
a week to exfoliate skin, while the Gentle Cleansing Cream should
be used to cleanse on days when the Physical Cleansing Scrub is
not used. The Skin Strengthening Complex repair cream should be
applied twice a day, and the Sun Damage Prevention 100%
Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 in the morning, every day.
“Given that the Pro-Niacin molecule can reverse some sun damage
is a big plus for a lot of my patients here in San Diego
because many have been sun worshippers for years,” Dr.
Mauricio said.
In a post-Fraxel laser study, “we found that every single patient
could tolerate treatment when NIA 24 was applied afterwards,”
Dr. Mauricio conveyed. “NIA 24 products also accelerated healing
and minimized redness.” Healing time was reduced from
around five days to three days.
According to Dr. Salmon, “The Pro-Niacin molecule addresses
top to bottom care for the skin. In the epidermis, water loss is
reduced. The molecule also helps thicken the epidermis. And in
the dermis, the molecule helps the health of the collagen by
reducing some of the glycation and hardening of the collagen,
which occurs with age and contributes to wrinkles. Nearly all my
patients love the NIA 24 products. Skin looks better because it is
healthier.”
To View the NIA 24 Product line Click HERE
