Many of us know that allergies are an insidious disease. She may for some time not reveal herself in any way and at a certain moment give out everything she is capable of. Unbearable itching, pain, rash, redness, irritation on the skin - this is only a small part of its manifestations. The patient grabs any straw that promises him salvation from this scourge. But unfortunately, often the most effective are those drugs that are based on hormones.
Doctors and cosmetologists are struggling together on one problem: the invention of an agent effective against psoriasis, dermatitis and itching, but without hormones. It seems that such a product has already been created. These are cosmetic products of the Spanish company Cheminova Internacional SA, manufactured under the Skin-cap brand: shampoo, aerosol and cream. We will tell you more about them and listen to feedback from consumers and specialists.
A little about the manufacturer
The history of Cheminova Internacional SA dates back more than a dozen years. It was created in 1954. In the 80s, the organization’s employees thought about how to create highly effective, but at the same time completely safe cosmetic and therapeutic preparations.
The research center of the company, together with the Higher Council of Scientific Research of Spain, conducted large-scale research aimed at learning how to increase the effectiveness of medicines. In these experiments, physicochemical methods of activation of substances were used. The result of the research was a few know-how of the company:
• cosmetic products to eliminate the manifestations of dermatitis and psoriasis under the name “Skin-cap”: shampoo, spray and ointment;
• preparations based on glycyrrhizic acid to protect the skin and mucous membranes from cracking and ulceration under the general name Epigen: aerosol, gel and wipes;
• a hygiene product from sweating feet and an unpleasant odor called Borozin;
• Analgesic cream for joints Relaxnova, designed for the elderly, athletes, pregnant women.
Cheminova Internacional SA assures that all its products have no side effects, as they do not contain hazardous chemicals. Let's see if this is so, for example, products under the Skin-cap brand: aerosol, ointment and shampoo. Feedback from experts and consumers will help us confirm or refute the manufacturer’s statements.
Skin-cap shampoo
The composition of these products is very similar. They differ only in the form of release and the content of the main therapeutic component: zinc pyrithione. This ingredient has an antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial effect. How much is it in Skin-cap cosmetics? Shampoo is available with a content of 1%. Production form: packaging consisting of five sachets weighing 5 g and a bottle of 150 ml. This product is prescribed in the presence of the following problems: dry and oily seborrhea of the scalp, itching, burning, dandruff, seborrheic and atopic dermatitis, psoriasis.
How to use Skin-cap shampoo? The instruction to it emphasizes that it is not intended for daily use. This is a medicinal product and it must be used in accordance with the recommendations of dermatologists: 2-3 times a week with exacerbation of the disease. When symptoms begin to disappear, prophylactic use is allowed 1 or 2 times a week. The course of treatment for psoriasis can last up to 5 weeks, for getting rid of dandruff and itching as standard - 2 weeks. To wash your hair with this product is recommended as follows: moisturize your hair, apply shampoo, foam and rinse immediately. Then you need to once again apply it on the head, massage, leave for 5-7 minutes and rinse again with warm water.
Many are interested in the price of this product. According to some consumers, it is rather big: a bottle of 150 ml will cost 950-1050 rubles, a package with 5 sachets will cost 300-320 rubles.
Skin-cap (aerosol)
The price of this tool is completely considered prohibitive: a spray can weighing 35 g - 1600 rubles, 70 g - 2570 rubles. Let's see what the manufacturer offers us at such a high cost. This spray is produced with a content of the active component of zinc pyrithione in 0.2%. As already mentioned above, the release form is spray cans weighing 35 g and 70 g. The product is prescribed in the presence of the following problems: atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema, neurodermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis. It is worth noting that zinc pyrithione is active against pathogenic microorganisms such as streptococcus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, staphylococcus, Proteus and others. How to use “Skin-cap” (aerosol)? The instruction to it states that you need to spray the agent 2-3 times a day on cleansed skin. Moreover, only affected areas should be treated. It is prescribed for adults and children from 1 year.
Skin-cap ointment
How is this tool different from the first two? Only the form of issue and cost. Let's talk about this Skin-Cap product. The cream, whose price is also rather high, is available in tubes weighing 15 and 50 g. The content of zinc pyrithione in it is the same as in the aerosol - 2%. Indications for use are the same: psoriasis, dermatitis, skin seborrhea, itching. Additionally it can be used for dry skin. It is easy to apply: it is enough to apply a thin layer on the affected areas of the skin twice a day, preferably in the morning and evening. How much does Skin-cap (cream) cost? The price of the product is as follows: a tube of 15 g - 803 rubles, 50 g - 1923 rubles. Next, we will see from consumer reviews how effective this product is, and whether they are willing to pay such money for it.
Contraindications
• Children's age up to 1 year.
• Pregnancy and lactation. In these cases, the use of "Skin-cap" should be discontinued. The manufacturer is silent about why it is unacceptable to continue treatment with these drugs during pregnancy and lactation.
• Hypersensitivity to the components of the funds. In the presence of this property, aerosol, shampoo and Skin-cap ointment cannot be used. The instruction to them indicates that they can cause a side effect - an allergic reaction. In this case, the use of drugs should be stopped immediately.
Dermatologists reviews
According to the reviews of many consumers, they got acquainted with the means of Skin-cap as prescribed by a doctor. I wonder what the experts themselves say about these drugs? Do they trust them? It is noteworthy that in pharmacies OTC drugs under the Skin-cap brand are sold over-the-counter. Aerosol, the instruction to which states that the product is absolutely safe, is the most sought-after product in this line of products. The opinion of dermatologists regarding the safety of these drugs is divided. According to some patients, doctors often prescribe a cream and spray from this manufacturer to treat dermatitis, referring to the fact that they do not contain hormones and therefore can be considered safe.
However, other specialists of this profile are annoyed by the fact that these drugs are prohibited for sale in America and Europe. According to some unverified data, it became known that the content of the hormone clobetasol in drugs called "Skin-cap" was found. An aerosol, the price of which is quite significant, as well as a cream, can not only not help in the treatment of dermatitis, but cause serious side effects. Therefore, it is impossible to use these means uncontrollably.
Why do some experts express distrust of Skin-cap products, referring to unverified sources of information? The fact is that it seems strange to them that the claimed active component of zinc pyrithione preparations suddenly became therapeutic against eczema and dermatitis. This ingredient is often added to shampoos to eliminate dandruff. And here it really works. But he can not suppress the manifestations of dermatitis, neurodermatitis, eczema, psoriasis. Only hormones are capable of this. This is what dermatologists pay attention to. But if the hormone clobetasol is really present in the composition of the drugs, then why is the manufacturer silent about it? Perhaps, because conditionally safe products are acquired by consumers much more willingly and actively than serious medications.
Skin-cap shampoo: customer reviews
Interestingly, how do users themselves evaluate the effectiveness of these products? Let's talk about a tool like Skin-cap shampoo. The instruction to it states that it is impossible to apply it constantly. You need to use it only 2-3 times a week, and even then only for two consecutive weeks. Can a product solve problems in such a short time? Consumers say dandruff is the most effective remedy. As a rule, two uses are enough to make it completely disappear. True, in some cases it was stated that after the drug was discontinued, dandruff reappeared.
I had to use shampoo again once a week for prevention, but already regularly. There is an opinion that this product helped get rid of the seborrheic crust on the head of a child. And this despite the fact that before that many different similar tools have been tried. The general impression of customers about the shampoo is this: the smell is light, slightly minty, it refreshes the head well, the consistency is liquid, it foams well, the hair becomes tough after using it. Some try to use air conditioning to soften them a bit. But it is worthwhile to warn that you need to apply the rinse conditioner only on the tips, avoiding the skin. Otherwise, all efforts to eliminate dandruff can be nullified.
Customer comments on other Skin-Cap products
Everything is clear with shampoo. I wonder what customers say about other Skin-cap products. Aerosol is more convenient to use. Many consumers are sure of this. This drug is quickly absorbed, does not stain clothes. It can also be used for scalp, as the can is equipped with a special nozzle. Most consumers noted its good effectiveness against rashes, redness, acne, pustules. Patients experience great relief in the first minutes after the start of treatment. Itching passes almost immediately. Skin-cap ointment is also highly effective against dermatitis and psoriasis. The instruction claims that using it is enough 2 times a day to help with the disease. Patients note that after the first application, itching and redness disappears, after the second - the spots become paler. With a strong manifestation of eczema, the crusts dry out and begin to crumble. Many users complain of symptoms returning immediately after drug withdrawal. It is possible that treatment should be long here. For prevention, you need to lubricate sore spots once a week.
Skin-cap shampoo: analogues
• “Tsinokap”. Available in the form of cream and aerosol. You can apply on any part of the body, except for the mucous membranes, including on the scalp. The active substance is zinc pyrithione. It is prescribed for psoriasis, dandruff, seborrhea, eczema, dermatitis, itching, inflammation and increased peeling of the skin. It costs 866 rubles for a can of 58 g.
• Shampoo "Nizoral". It has a similar effect, but the active substance in it is different - ketoconazole. It is a derivative of imidazole. The component has antifungal activity. The price of the product is 598 rubles per bottle of 60 ml.
• Shampoo "Keto Plus". It treats pathologies of the scalp (various types of dandruff, itching, pityriasis versicolor, seborrheic dermatitis). What makes him related to such a product as Skin-cap shampoo? The price of the Keto Plus preparation is slightly lower than this analogue - 565 rubles. But the active substance is the same here - zinc pyrithione. Plus, there is also a second active component - ketoconazole, which also has an antifungal effect.
• Shampoo "Friderm". The active substance is zinc pyrithione. Eliminates dandruff, itching, dry scalp. Effective in the treatment of atopic and seborrheic dermatitis, pityriasis versicolor. What makes it different from a product like Skin-cap shampoo? Price. Its cost is two times lower than the analogue of the company Cheminova Internacional SA It is 662 rubles per bottle of 150 ml.
Negative user reviews
There were many consumers who reacted negatively to the treatment of skin diseases with Skin-cap. “Spray, ointment and shampoo of this brand help only temporarily,” some users are sure. The remedies are really effective, quickly magically removed the main manifestations of allergies. True, after discontinuation of the drugs, itching and rash appeared again. The patients' first desire was to purchase a second package of the same product. But this is not a way out. You can not use such drugs for a long time. In addition, not everyone is able to regularly buy them because of the high cost. Some users who previously used hormonal drugs to treat eczema and neurodermatitis noted that this medicine works in the same way: after prolonged use, addiction to the components of the product developed, it did not give the desired effect. The rash, itching, peeling came back again and Skin-cap treatment did not yield.
This leads many consumers to think about the hormonal origin of these products. There is evidence that products called "Skin-cap" caused severe allergies among users. Perhaps this was triggered by intolerance to the components of the drugs. When prescribing these medicines, do not neglect this warning.
We examined the composition and effect of cosmetic and medical products manufactured under the name “Skin-cap”. Shampoo, aerosol and ointment are part of this product line. From consumer reviews of these funds, we learned the main thing.