Background and Aims: Irritant diaper dermatitis (IDD) is very common in infants and usually managed by the caregiver. Dexpanthenol‐containing ointment (DCO) is a decades‐long established product that has demonstrated efficacy and tolerability in the treatment and prevention of infant IDD in controlled clinical settings. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of DCO in the treatment of infant IDD from the perspective of the caregiver by collecting data not explored in clinical trials, such as infant quality of life and the speed of action.Methods: A retrospective observational real‐world data (RWD) study was conducted with French adult caregivers who had used a DCO to treat IDD in their infants within the past 6 months and consented to participate to the study completed a web‐based survey answering questions regarding the severity of their infants' symptoms (intensity/extent of redness and discomfort, rated using Likert scales) before and after DCO application. The speed of onset of symptom relief and product acceptability were also collected.Results: A total of 500 caregivers of 564 infants completed the survey. Of these, 80% reported that DCO visibly treats IDD. In terms of speed of action, 83% declared that the first signs of symptom relief appeared after 1 day of application and 78% reported full symptom resolution within 2 days of application. Additionally, ≥77% of caregivers agreed that DCO provided overnight relief from the discomfort caused by IDD and reduced sleep disturbance in their children. Finally, 85% of caregivers declared being satisfied with the product overall and considered the product pleasant to use.Conclusion: This evidence from caregivers' experience confirms that DCO can be considered an adequate medication to self‐manage IDD episode as it provides rapid relief of the signs and symptoms of inflammation, while by being pleasant to be use.
Moisturizers are commonly prescribed after laser and chemical peel aesthetic procedures, but the evidence regarding their efficacy and safety of such use is scarce. We conducted four single-blind, three-week, controlled studies to evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical Dexpanthenol-containing products (Bepantol® spray and Bepantol® cream) using petroleum jelly as a positive control. Skin recovery was assessed after four aesthetic procedures: (1) non-ablative facial laser resurfacing, (2) laser depilation on the external genital and inguinal regions, (3) chemical peel on the external genital and inguinal regions, and (4) ablative facial laser resurfacing. Efficacy was assessed through transepidermal water loss (TEWL) combined with clinical assessment of the skin by the investigators and the participants. In studies (1) and (4), the erythema intensity was evaluated by measuring dermal temperature with a thermal imaging camera. Safety was assessed through adverse event reporting and acceptability through a questionnaire. Dexpanthenol-containing products significantly decreased TEWL and dermal temperature, therefore maintaining skin integrity, promoting its recovery, and reducing erythema. No statistical differences with the positive control were observed. In addition, Dexpanthenol-containing products were well appreciated by the participants from a sensory perspective. These findings suggest that these Dexpanthenol-containing products are adequate for post-procedural care in aesthetic dermatology.
Background: Gentle cleansing of the skin without further compromising its barrier function and moisture content and being simultaneously devoid of adverse effects on the skin microbiome are important features of body cleansers for atopic‐prone skin sufferers. For this population, a new dexpanthenol‐containing liquid cleanser (DCLC) was developed.Methods: Two prospective 4‐week studies have been conducted. Study 1 investigated the effect of once‐daily DCLC on stratum corneum (SC) hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin pH, and skin microbiome (all on the volar forearm) in adult subjects with dry skin (N = 44). Study 2 explored the cutaneous tolerability of DCLC and its effect on the microbiome biodiversity of the volar forearm skin in infants/children with atopic‐prone skin (N = 33, aged 6 months to 6 years). In the latter study, DCLC was applied 2–3 days/week in combination with an emollient applied at least twice daily.Results: In Study 1, on Day 29, the mean change in skin surface capacitance from baseline was significantly greater in the forearm test area treated with DCLC than in the contralateral test area (control) treated with water only (5.16 vs. 3.65 a.u.; p = 0.011), suggesting long‐term SC hydration. DCLC use was not associated with changes in TEWL, skin pH, or microbiome biodiversity if compared to control. In Study 2, the 4‐week use of DCLC in combination with an emollient was well tolerated according to pediatrician skin assessment, and no flare‐ups were recorded. The microbiome biodiversity did not shift during the study.Conclusion: These findings support the use of DCLC in subjects with atopic‐prone skin.
Given the pivotal role played by the microbiome in skin health, it is important to understand how its composition varies with age, sex, and body site and regular use of topical products. Four studies were carried out to determine the effects of long-term (4-week) use of different dexpanthenol-containing topical products on the skin microbiome of a varied population with cosmetically dry skin. The skin microbiome composition was assessed before and after product usage. No significant changes in microbiome richness or diversity were found for the individual test products; however, a meta-analysis of the combined dataset did show changes in microbiome composition as a function of the subject’s sex, age, and body site. The work presented here demonstrates how the use of carefully formulated topical products on skin, when used in a way that is representative of real-life usage conditions, can respect the microbial diversity present on skin across a widely varied study population.
The prevalence of nappy rash or napkin dermatitis in Thailand infants aged 1–24 months is 36.1%. Dexpanthenol-containing nappy creams are clinical validated and effective in treating napkin dermatitis. This study explores the real-world usage satisfaction and perceived effectiveness of a 5% Dexpanthenol-containing product as a preventive strategy for napkin dermatitis. Respondents were mothers with babies between 6–12 months of age, who purchased and used a 5% Dexpanthenol-containing product (Bepanthen® Ointment) in the past one month. An online study collected respondents’ satisfaction with the product and its benefits and properties. A total of 300 respondents (52% frequent users and 48% as-needed users) completed the study. Over 90% of respondents reported that their babies experienced less nappy-related discomfort, crying, fidgeting and sleep disruption after applying the nappy care product. Almost all respondents (96%) were satisfied with the product. Notably, frequent users of the product reported higher rates of satisfaction than as-needed users (62% vs. 43%; p < 0.05). This high level of satisfaction was associated with the moisturizing properties and long-lasting skin protection provided by the dexpanthenol-containing product. Our findings from a real-world setting further validate the use of dexpanthenol-containing products as a preventive strategy for napkin dermatitis in Thai infants.
Given the pivotal role played by the microbiome in skin health it is important to understand how its composition varies with age, gender and body site, and regular use of topical products. Four studies have been carried out to determine the effects of long term (4 week) use of different dexpanthenol containing topical products on the skin microbiome of a varied population with cosmetically dry skin. Skin microbiome composition was assessed before and after product usage. No significant changes in microbiome richness or diversity were found for the individual test products, however meta-analysis of the combined dataset did show changes in microbiome composition as a function of subject sex, age and body site. The work presented here demonstrates how the use of carefully formulated topical products on skin, when used in a way which is representative of real life usage conditions, can respect the microbial diversity present on skin across a widely varied study population.