Interest of a novel dermocosmetic shampoo in the management of scalp psoriasis

Scalp psoriasis (SP) is a chronic disease presenting thick scales on clearly-defined, erythematous skin. It can also cause severe itching. Even though, the hair frequently covers lesions, flaking may impact the subject’s quality of life. Currently, SP treatment includes topical therapy, intralesional therapy, systemic therapy, and photochemotherapy.

The present studies assessed the non-delipidating and protective effect as well as the clinical benefit and safety of a novel dermocosmetic shampoo containing salicylic acid, juniper and zanthoxylum extracts, and forskoline for mild to moderate SP.

Two open-labelled, intra-individual clinical studies were conducted. The first study assessed, 1 and 4 hours after a single application, the non-delipidating and protective effect of the shampoo by assessing transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and sebum quantity on the face of 10 healthy adult female subjects with oily skin (cutaneous sebum rate ≥140µg/cm²).

The second study assessed in 18 subjects aged >18 years with mild to moderate untreated SP, the clinical benefit, local tolerability and cosmetic acceptability of the shampoo during 56 days. Subjects applied the shampoo every 2 days during 21 days and then twice a week during 35 days. The investigator assessed the investigator global score (IGA, from 0=none to 4=severe), the scalp surface area (SSA), the psoriasis scalp severity index (PSSI from 0=none to 72=very severe) and the overall benefits (0=very poor to 4=very good) on baseline, Day 28 (D28) and 56 (D56). Subjects assessed the intensity of pruritus on D28 and D56 and the cosmetic acceptability on Day 56.

No variation compared to the non-treated area of the TEWL and the cutaneous sebum rate was observed 1 and 4h after a single application. In the clinical study, subjects had a mean age of 36.0±10 years, 72% were males, 50% had phototype V, 33 a phototype IV and 6% each had a phototype II, III or VI. 66% had a SP starting more than 6 years prior to the study and 61% had a psoriasis family history. After 28 days, the SSA had decreased by 20.2% (p<0.001) and the PSSI by 29.7% (p<0.01); the IGA decrease was not significant. After 56 days, the IGA had decreased by 24.2% (p<0.05), the SSA by 38.9% and the PSSI by 56.3% (both p<0.001). Overall, investigators rated the dermocosmetic shampoo being beneficial in 67% of subjects. The pruritus score had decreased by 34% at D28 and by 57% at D56 (both p<0.001). Subjects highly appreciated the cosmetic properties of the shampoo which was very well tolerated.