New research published in the journal Pharmaceuticals suggests that CBD could be a useful addition to certain skin products given its anti-aging and antioxidant properties as well as evidence that it may speed the healing of wounds.
“Overall, we suggest that CBD exhibits many potential characteristics that can be used to develop topical cosmeceutical products, such as sun protection products, hair care products, or wound healing products,” the study says, noting that low concentrations of the cannabinoid were also not toxic to cells during short-term treatment.
Authors of the new study—from Prince of Songkla University and the National Science and Technology Development Agency, in Thailand—wrote that CBD appears to influence a range of skin processes, making it “an appealing natural ingredient for the development of cosmeceuticals.”
The researchers said the study aimed to investigate the safety and “potential bioactivities” of CBD by studying anti-aging and wound healing activities at the cellular level. The three-person team looked at CBD’s effects on two different types of cells—fibroblasts and keratinocytes—and found that low concentrations “did not induce cytotoxcicity, but these concentrations significantly enhanced the growth of keratinocytes and fibroblasts.”
“Our results indicate that CBD at low concentrations is safe to be used on the skin and promotes the growth of both keratinocytes and fibroblasts.”
“These results support our findings that CBD might have the promising potential to induce cell proliferation and promote some cell activities in the long term,” the paper says. “Accordingly, we suggest that CBD at concentrations of 0.625–2.5 µg/mL is safe to use for skin applications.”
The study looked at CBD exposure over a period of 24 hours, though authors said future studies should also examine longer applications, such as 48 hours and 72 hours, to better determine any delayed effects.
Researchers noted that the antioxidant effects of CBD appeared to counteract oxidative stress at the cellular level, which otherwise damages cell components and disrupts their function.
As for wound healing, the study’s findings suggest “that CBD influences the expression of key genes involved in all phases of the wound healing process, supporting its potential as a therapeutic agent for skin repair and anti-aging applications.
“CBD showed promising antioxidant activity and anti-aging activity.”
Going forward, wrote the three-author team, future studies should employ 3-D skin models, as well as human skin, “to better understand skin processes after CBD application and to confirm the safety and activities of CBD over a longer period of time.” They noted that their study employed a single-layer model of cells, “which may not reflect the complexity of the actual skin layer.”
They also emphasized the need to better study possible risks. “Ensuring the safety of CBD is a top priority before incorporating it into cosmetic products,” the team said. “We recommend conducting more experiments in further studies, such as genotoxicity tests, because CBD can activate mediators…which are necessary for angiogenesis and can potentially influence cancer growth.”
Another issue might be the degradation of CBD, the study notes, which can happen under exposure to light, extreme temperatures and high- and low-pH environments.
“To enhance the stability of CBD and reduce its degradation in cosmetic products, it should be protected from light and oxygen, stored at low temperatures, and formulated at a neutral pH,” it says.
The new study adds to a body of research suggesting that CBD might be an effective treatment for certain skin conditions.
For example, a study published last autumn by university researchers in India and Thailand found that cannabis oil containing CBD may help promote the healing of skin wounds, writing that it offers “promising benefits” despite a need to better optimize product formulations.
That study looked specifically at how cannabis oil can reduce so-called “reactive oxygen species” (ROS) during the healing of wounds. Those chemicals “play a crucial role in would development by causing cell and tissue damage,” it explained.
“Increased ROS levels can hinder wound healing by exacerbating inflammation and cellular damage,” said the paper, published in the journal Pharmaceutics. “CBD’s antioxidant properties mitigate these effects, fostering a more conducive environment for tissue regeneration.”
Another paper, published last July in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, found that applying CBD-infused lotion to the skin appeared to be tied to a lower risk of damage from exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. Researchers at George Washington University, Northwestern University, the University of Miami and the Center for Clinical and Cosmetic Research wrote that 21 percent of those who used the CBD cream had less damage than the control group that received a placebo. Another 47 percent had comparable damage, and 11 percent showed better results after taking the placebo versus the cannabis lotion.
The possible benefits aren’t limited to human applications.
A separate study, published in the journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science last year, concluded that cannabis appears to be a “viable alternative” treatment option for dogs suffering from a common skin disease—especially if they experience adverse side effects from conventional steroid therapies
That study detailed the efficacy of full-spectrum CBD oil on a dog with the autoimmune disease discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE). The condition, which causes hair loss and redness that could progress to lesions, is typically treated with corticosteroids and other medications that can put a strain on a dog’s liver.
A veterinarian prescribed a full-spectrum oil with a 2:1 THC:CBD ratio, which was administered orally—at first, one drop per day for three days and gradually increasing it “until the optimal dose for symptom control was identified.”
“Within a few weeks, the dog exhibited significant improvement in dermatological signs, accompanied by a concurrent improvement in liver function,” the study said. “Interestingly, the owner reported an improvement in the dog’s behavior shortly after discontinuing prednisolone and within the first day of receiving the cannabis oil.”
FDA Seeks Veterinarians’ Input On Use Of CBD And Other Cannabis Products In Animals
Photo courtesy of Kimzy Nanney.
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