The skin is the largest organ of the human body, weighing up to twenty pounds. It is composed of three layers: the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis, each carrying important functions for healthy skin. The skin is also a smart organ as the hypodermis is in a constant state of generating new skin cells over 1,000 times during a lifetime. While many skin disorders are common, research shows that CBD can play an important role in preventing and treating them.
Common Skin Conditions
The skin is a tough defender of the elements that may harm it including overexposure to the sun and various toxins and poisons in the environment. It can be vulnerable to many diseases and conditions. Skin diseases are generally those that affect the skin, hair and nails. Some of the most common skin disorders include the following.
Acne
Acne is a very common skin disorder and is the result of increased sebum, a lipid-enriched, oily exocrine product, production and inflammation of the sebaceous glands.
Dermatitis (Eczema)
Dermatitis is a general term that describes inflammation or swelling of the skin. It can be induced by many factors including allergens and infections. Atopic dermatitis is also known as eczema and is a condition that makes the skin red and itchy. Another form, contact dermatitis is a red and itchy rash that forms in response to something coming into contact with the skin including poison ivy, soaps, fragrances, lotions, cosmetics and jewelry.
Hirsutism or Unwanted Hair Growth
This is a condition characterized by overgrowth of hair in places where hair is normally absent, like on the face, chest and back.
Pruritus (Itching)
This condition is simply itching of the skin and can be very annoying and frustrating, especially when no treatment provides relief. It can occur anywhere on the body and is more common in later life as the skin becomes drier with age.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic, long-lasting autoimmune disease of the skin. It is caused by an overactive immune system that produces symptoms such as flaking, inflammation, and thick patches of skin that are red, white or silver.
Seborrhea
This is an inflammatory skin condition that appears on the sebaceous-gland rich areas of the skin including the face, back and chest. When it affects the scalp, it is called dandruff. It causes a red and itchy rash, dryness, peeling, flakiness, and white scales.
Systemic Sclerosis
This condition is also known as scleroderma and is a chronic autoimmune disease that is characterized by the accumulation of connective tissue (diffuse fibrosis), degenerative changes, and vascular problems throughout the skin, joints and internal organs of the body. Symptoms may include hardened, tough or tight skin, discolorations and a tight facial tone.
Research Findings on CBD for Skin Conditions
While there are plenty of over-the-counter and medical treatments for a variety of skin disorders, researchers are hopeful about what they have discovered about the effectiveness of CBD and the role that the endocannabinoid system plays in the maintenance of healthy skin and prevention of skin problems.
The Endocannabinoid System and Skin
A group of researchers from the United States, Germany, UK and Hungary found that the endocannabinoid system is found throughout the skin and is implicated in a number of biological processes. It works to control proper and well-balanced proliferation, differentiation and survival as well as immune competence and tolerance of skin cells.
Disruption within the endocannabinoid system can lead to pathological conditions and diseases of the skin including acne, seborrhea, allergic dermatitis, pain and itch, psoriasis, hair growth disorders, systemic sclerosis and skin cancer.
The endocannabinoid system actually fights skin allergies, inflammation, pain, itch, dry skin, acne, seborrhea, dermatitis, and other skin disorders. It protects the skin, keeps it healthy, and may prevent many age-related changes in the skin.
CBD and Acne
Researchers discovered that CBD exerted what they called a unique “trinity of cellular anti-acne actions”. This means that CBD controlled the pathologically elevated lipogenesis induced by pro-acne agents, suppressed cell proliferation, and prevented the actions of TLR activation or pro-acne agents, to elevate pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, which usually results in inflammation.
CBD and Other Skin Conditions
Some researchers believe that CBD is effective in treating certain skin diseases including eczema, psoriasis, and atopic and contact dermatitis. The keys to the healing process of CBD are in its anti-inflammatory properties. In preclinical studies with rodents, CBD was found to treat many skin conditions including acne, dermatitis, Kaposi’s sarcoma (a form of cancer that forms in the lining of blood and lymph vessels), pruritus, psoriasis, skin cancer, and systemic sclerosis.
Immunosuppressant Actions of Cannabinoids
CBD is one of over 100 cannabinoids found in both cannabis and hemp. One study found that CBD and other cannabinoids reduce overactive immune response causing inflammatory rash. Another study found that psoriasis responds to the anti-inflammatory effects of cannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors (cells in the endocannabinoid system). Still another study found that the endocannabinoid system is present in the scalp and helps regulate hair growth.
Final Thoughts on Whether CBD Can Help Manage Skin Conditions
Skin conditions are very common and while there are numerous treatments, both medical and over-the-counter, CBD is being examined by experts around the globe as a potential treatment for such disorders. Time, curiosity in the world of research and a lot more studies may conclude that CBD itself or medications targeting the endocannabinoid system may prove to prevent, heal or eliminate certain skin conditions.