Efficacy of a New Tonic Containing Urea, Lactate, Polidocanol, and Glycyrrhiza inflata Root Extract in the Treatment of a Dry, Itchy, and Subclinically Inflamed Scalp

Background/Aims: Dry, itchy and inflamed scalp conditions are common and often associated with diseases such as atopic dermatitis or psoriasis. To improve these symptoms, we investigated the efficacy of a new tonic containing the active ingredients urea, lactate, polidocanol, and Glycyrrhiza inflata root extract, containing licochalcone A. Study Design/Methods: 30 subjects with dry and itchy scalp conditions underwent a randomized half-head study for 4 weeks, applying the leave-on tonic three times a week on one side of the scalp. Tonic effects on skin hydration, itching, lipids, microinflammation, and substantivity of tonic compounds were determined using corneometry, middleinfrared spectroscopy, direct analysis in real-time mass spectrometry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Volunteers performed a self-assessment; changes in scalp condition were documented by in vivo microscopy. Results: After tonic treatment, scalp moisture was significantly increased, whereas scalp itching and tautness were significantly reduced. Results also demonstrated a high subReceived: September 25, 2012 Accepted after revision: January 29, 2013 Published online: March 21, 2013 Dorothea Schweiger, PhD Beiersdorf AG, Research and Development Bf. 520, Unnastrasse 48 DE–20245 Hamburg (Germany) E-Mail dorothea.schweiger @ beiersdorf.com © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel 1660–5527/13/0262–0108$38.00/0 www.karger.com/spp Th is is an Open Access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercialNoDerivs 3.0 License (www.karger.com/OA-license), applicable to the online version of the article only. Distribution for non-commercial purposes only. D ow nl oa de d by : 54 .7 0. 40 .1 1 10 /2 /2 01 7 2: 28 :5 1 P M