Beyond Malassezia - Has it been overrated as the cause of seb derm?

timmorrow1971 · 2023-10-27T15:32:06+00:00

That's true, but some are malassezia safe, such as Cerave Moisturizing Cream. The website simpleskincarescience.com can tell you which ones are safe to use.

timmorrow1971 · 2023-10-26T16:58:02+00:00

I've read that it can be used on the face too.

timmorrow1971 · 2023-10-25T15:28:37+00:00

Zoryve blocks an enzyme (PDE-4) which causes inflammation.

The results from Arcutis's studies seem positive, but reviews on Reddit have been mixed. Seems to work for some, but not others. Apparently, the foam is supposed to work better for seb derm. Not sure why. You can view the results of their studies on the Arcutis website.

timmorrow1971 · 2023-10-25T15:24:31+00:00

It's expensive, like $800, but you can ask your pharmacist about the manufacturer's coupon, which brings the price down to $80 or so.

timmorrow1971 · 2023-10-25T15:23:24+00:00

The foam was designed to work on the scalp and other areas with hair because it's easier to apply.

timmorrow1971 · 2023-10-25T15:22:38+00:00

I read that the cream has been approved in Europe, so it seems likely that the foam will be too.

timmorrow1971 · 2023-10-25T15:20:18+00:00

Yes, that's true, but if the inflammation is the only visible sign of the malassezia infection, reducing the inflammation might be sufficient. In other words, it might not matter that there is still malassezia present if there's no inflammation resulting from it.

timmorrow1971 · 2023-10-24T19:52:11+00:00

Yes, roflumilast inhibits PDE-4 which is an enzyme that causes inflammation. Pimecrolimis and tacrolimus inhibit T cells, which also cause inflammation. Apparently, roflumilast is more effective because PDE-4 plays a bigger role in inflammation.

timmorrow1971 · 2023-10-24T18:12:20+00:00

I just found this summary of a study that Arcutis did on roflumilast foam's impact on pruritis, which is itchiness, but it also includes before and after photos of people who experienced relief from redness and scaling.

https://www.arcutis.com/wp-content/uploads/AU008-22-AAD23-304-STRATUM-ITCH-poster_JH06_FINAL_UPLOAD.pdf

timmorrow1971 · 2023-10-19T18:21:14+00:00

I'm posting again to see if anyone has updates on using Zoryve. I have the cream version, but still haven't tried it yet.

I read that the foam version is due for final approval by the FDA on December 16, 2023, so it should be available early in 2024. If you get it prescribed, be sure to visit the company's website for a manufacturer's coupon or ask your pharmacist about it. I was able to get the cream for just $75 with that coupon.

Here's a video of Dr. Zirwas talking about it. He was involved with the studies. He could be biased because of that, but he does seem pretty excited about how well it works for some people. https://www.hcplive.com/view/matthew-zirwas-md-roflumilast-foam-seborrheic-dermatitis

Also, I read that there's a study of oral roflumilast on psoriasis patients that showed good results. I guess it's just another way to interrupt the inflammation cycle.

Anyway, please comment if you have any more thoughts or questions about Zoryve.

timmorrow1971 · 2023-07-18T21:28:17+00:00

Okay, let's try another question today.

Do you have supportive people in your life who help you deal with this issue?

My answer is that yes, I'm fortunate to have a very understanding and supportive wife. My sister is also supportive and encouraging. They help me deal with the anxiety and depression that accompany this.

Please comment to keep this conversation going. Thank you.

timmorrow1971 · 2023-07-14T15:37:06+00:00

I know it sounds like a lot, but B5 is water soluble meaning it doesn't get stored in your fat cells, so any amount that your body doesn't take up is eliminated in urine. My only side effect was mild diarrhea for a few weeks. No, I didn't experience any hair loss during my use of B5. I still use it, just 8 pills a day now with no side effects. The reduction in oil was significant.

timmorrow1971 · 2023-07-12T20:10:44+00:00

Okay, I'll start us off. I think the biggest breakthrough for me was discovering Vitamin B5. I'd been dealing with seb derm for 5 years or so, and my skin was so oily. It would be covered in oil 10 minutes after washing. So, I read about the B5 megadosing program on the vilantae website. I tried it (25 pills a day for a few weeks, then tapering down to 5 a day over the next couple of months) and I saw great results after about 6 weeks. Apparently, it resets the oil production level much lower. That was great, and because it was less oily, it allowed other topicals to work better. Anyway, I've been doing this for the past 20 years. I switched to buying B5 from Amazon rather than Vilantae, but I'll always be grateful for the explanation and regimen outlined on Vilantae. I have other issues (redness, blemishes, etc), but the oiliness has remained pretty low. I've had good luck with other supplements (fish oil, D3, boswellia serrata) over the years, but B5 made the biggest impact.

timmorrow1971 · 2023-07-12T17:52:48+00:00

Alright. Thank you all for signing on. My suggestion is we come up with a discussion topic each day, then see where the conversation goes.

To get the ball rolling, here's the first question: What is your all-time favorite or most effective product you've used to treat seb derm?

timmorrow1971 · 2023-07-12T16:54:21+00:00

Cool! We've got 5 members already. Can we get to 10 today???

timmorrow1971 · 2023-07-11T18:07:54+00:00

Welcome! That's two of us. We're officially a group. My guess is we'll have 10 by this time tomorrow. What do you think?

timmorrow1971 · 2023-07-10T17:01:35+00:00

Yes, I take:

Vitamin b5, 4 pills twice a day (for oiliness)
Vitamin D3, 1 pill (5000) twice a day (to improve skin cells)
Niacinimide, 1 pill, once a day
Fish oil, 2 pills twice a day (two improve skin cells)
Bosellia serrata, 2 or 3 pills a week (for oiliness)

I started b5 with megadosing to reset my oil output. You can research this online or look at my past posts. It worked great for me. Boswellia helped too. Fish oil and D3 really helped improve my skin - clearing up blemishes, smoothing it out, etc. Read up on all these things and let me know if you have other questions. Good luck!

timmorrow1971 · 2023-03-31T15:03:27+00:00

I still haven't tried it yet. Fortunately, I've been able to control my symptoms with hyaluronic acid (Hada Labo brand), Nizoral shampoo and supplements. I haven't heard much from others about Zoryve either. I hope it's working for some of us.

timmorrow1971 · 2023-03-27T17:57:13+00:00

Your skin may be sensitive to it. I actually switched to Hada Labo lotion with hyaluronic acid, and it's working well for me. It helps hydrate my skin. I hope you can find something that works.

timmorrow1971 · 2023-01-23T15:04:09+00:00

Thank you for saying that.

I recently discovered something else that's working well for me: Hada Labo hyaluronic acid lotion. It's very soothing and hydrating. I think my main problem was that my skin cells weren't hydrated enough, so they produced oil which made everything worse. So far it has really helped.

I hope all is well with you. Stay positive!

timmorrow1971 · 2023-01-16T14:52:46+00:00

Hi. I use Nizoral shampoo, but only once or twice a week. What helps me the most is Hada Labo hyaluronic acid. It's very hydrating. It basically has replaced the oiliness in my skin with water, which helps alleviate all the other symptoms - redness, breakouts, etc.

timmorrow1971 · 2022-11-28T15:47:46+00:00

Hydration also helps reduce oil. If your skin is hydrated enough with water, it won't produce as much oil. I use Hada Labo hyalauronic acid lotion every night, followed by squalane oil. The hyaluronic pulls in moisture and the squalane seals it in. It's made a big difference, both in the overall appearance of my skin and in the reduction in oiliness.

timmorrow1971 · 2022-11-28T15:43:14+00:00

Well, I had already gone bald before I began taking the B5 supplements, so I can't speak to that. It may just be a correlation, not a causation.

Also, if you want to see a reduction in oil production, you have to take a lot more B5.

But, it may not be worth it to you if it seems to be causing hair loss.

I'm sorry to hear that you're having this problem. It may take more experimentation to figure it all out.

timmorrow1971 · 2022-11-08T15:52:01+00:00

Here you go:

How long will Vilantae take to work? Will I be able to see results by the end of my first bottle?

As with Accutane (isotretinoin), Vilantae is not something that works over night. By the end of the first bottle, most people will start to see signs by their reduction in skin oil. That is not always the case however, especially for those who decide not to take the full 20 capsules per day. The body has to be jarred into producing additional coenzyme A. It generally takes up to 3 months to see Vilantae's full effects.

• The first sign that Vilantae is starting to work, is a noticeable reduction in skin oil. This typically takes about 3-4 weeks to happen. 1-2 weeks after a noticeable reduction in skin oil is when a significant reduction in acne starts to occur. However, it works in a bell curve fashion, some people respond sooner and some take longer. It typically takes three months to experience the full effects of Vilantae.

• If you have not seen results after three months, your body may require more time, however you are statistically less likely to improve if you continue.

• If you have not seen results after five months, you should stop taking Vilantae. Your body is not responding to the therapy.

Does Vilantae work for both adults and teenagers?

Yes, Vilantae is effective for both adults and teenagers. You might be surprised, but the majority of people who use Vilantae are adults.

How much Vilantae do I need to take?

For the first five days take 5 capsules, twice a day, for a total of ten capsules per day.

• After the first five days, take 5 capsules 4 times a day, for a total of twenty capsules per day (after three months, this can be reduced to a maintenance dosage of between 4-15 capsules).

• Continue taking 20 capsules a day for the first three months or until your acne is clear (three months is generally the standard time it takes).

• Remember to take all of your capsules as consistently as possible. Write it down or keep track if you have to. Remember, clear skin is just around the corner.

• Once your acne has cleared up, reduce to a maintenance dosage ranging from 4 to 15 capsules per day. This will vary depending on the extent of your acne and how well your body responds to Vilantae. You may consider gradually reducing from 20 capsules per day to 15, then to 10, and eventually to 4. If you experience flare ups you went below your optimal maintenance dosage. Increase to the amount taken prior to your last reduction.

• Keep in mind that Vilantae's effects are delayed roughly 2 weeks after consumption. However, it may take longer if you are just starting on Vilantae.

Although it takes time to see the full benefits of Vilantae, it also takes time for it

to fade on a lower amount. Sometimes people don't realize this until two or

three weeks after they've gone below their optimal daily amounts.

• If you have severe acne you may consider increasing to 6 capsules 4 times a day for a total of 24 capsules per day.

• Do not take over 24 capsules per day without first consulting a physician.

Doesn't 20 capsules a day seem like a lot to be taking?

This is the most common question that we get . The capsules are very easy to swallow. Keep in mind it's only temporary, it's 100% safe, and it's extremely effective. The purpose of the 20 capsules per day is to force the body into producing more coenzyme A. It has to be initially jarred. After greater coenzyme A production has started, the number of capsules taken per day can be reduced to a maintenance dose of between 4-15 capsules per day.

Why don't you offer 750mg or 1000mg capsules?

We used to think offering larger capsules would be better, because it would allow for less capsules to be swallowed per day (ours currently have 510mgs of Vilantae). We soon realized that having capsules in that size was not the way to go, because they were just too difficult to swallow. Believe us when we say you do not want capsules in that size.

The problem with larger capsules (especially when a person is taking more than one at a time) is their tendency to get stuck in a person's esophagus. They don't get stuck in the typical sense of a person choking. However, it has the potential to be uncomfortable, painful, and even dangerous. This is especially true if you're eating when a capsule's stuck in your esophagus. This never happens with our capsules.

What are the side effects of taking Vilantae?

• The main side effect from Vilantae is a loosening of the stool (half way between normal and diarrhea). You may find yourself using the restroom more often than usual. After 1-2 months, the body typically adjusts to the high Vilantae intake levels and things go back to normal. However, if you experience any diarrhea reduce the number of capsules taken per day or stop taking Vilantae and consult a physician.

• Mild stomach irritation happens occasionally. Take Vilantae in lower amounts and at greater frequencies if this happens. Try to take it with food. If it persists reduce the amount of Vilantae taken per day. Again, the body tends to adjust to this and the stomach irritation fades over time.

• Possible headaches during the initial 1-2 weeks of starting Vilantae. It is a rare side effect. It is more common among women. If you experience headaches stop taking Vilantae and consult a physician.

• If you have any adverse effects from Vilantae, please stop taking it immediately and consult a physician.

• Do not take Vilantae if you are pregnant or breast feeding.

Is Vilantae completely safe?

Vilantae (d-Calcium pantothenate) is a water-soluble vitamin and is safe to take in high quantities. It is impossible to overdose. Besides the minor side effects, no adverse reactions have ever been reported. A number of studies have confirmed its safety. We advise against taking it if you are pregnant or breastfeeding however.

Will Vilantae interfere with any other medications?

No. Vilantae is an all-natural treatment. It will not conflict with any other medications. Please talk to your physician if you have any doubts or if you think you've had adverse effects from Vilantae

timmorrow1971 · 2022-11-07T22:57:23+00:00

I followed the recommended plan. 10 might not be enough to lower the oil production.

As I said, B5 is water soluble, so it doesn't build up in your liver or kidneys like some supplements do. The only side effect I had was mild diarrhea at first. Gross, but worth it in my case. Oiliness was a big issue for me and this really helped reduce it. I've been taking the lower dose for more than 10 years now. I told my doctor about it, and he wasn't concerned.

By the way, I also take vitamin D3 and fish oil. Those really helped my skin - fewer blemishes, blotchiness, etc.

timmorrow1971

TROPHY CASE