Zeno ($185.00, Amazon.com) is a handheld acne device that supplies heat of 121oF to the area of a blemish for an average of 2.5 minutes to get rid of the blemish faster. Versus other acne treatments, how effective is Zeno? Is it worth the cost?
How effective is Zeno for mild to moderate acne?
In a double-blind, controlled clinical study by Bruce et al., it was found that Zeno use amongst 51 patients (mean age 20) resulted in a faster improvement of acne. As noted from the above graph, there is a more substantial gain from using Zeno at days 0-4 than thereafter, with the most substantial gains at days 2-3. On average, the patients who used Zeno had their blemishes gone 2.3 days faster.
How does Zeno work?
It is not exactly known. The heat supplied to the bacterial species most commonly responsible for acne, P. acnes, has been reported in the Annals of the New York Academy of the Sciences to be sufficient to increase the level of heat-shock proteins within the cell. However, according to the study by Bruce et. al., it is unknown whether these heat-shock proteins are the cause of death of P. acnes or an adaptive response following cell death. At any rate, the research indicates that Zeno does in fact kill P. acnes quickly.
What about Zeno in comparison to other spot treatments for mild-to-moderate acne?
No peer-reviewed published studies to date have compared the efficacy of Zeno to other acne treatments. However, in a 1995 study in the British Journal of Dermatology, it was reported amongst 12 patients using 5% benzoyl peroxide for two days that there was a significant reduction in the number of blemishes. Benzoyl peroxide has also been found by Nacht et. al. to kill bacteria by generating reactive oxygen species in the sebaceous follicle; however, because it triggers free radical formation, its use should be limited to the spot of the blemish, like Zeno. An advantage to Zeno over benzoyl peroxide is that benzoyl peroxide can denature tretinoin, one of several retinoids, so benzoyl peroxide cannot be used in conjunction with retinoids, while Zeno can.
What about Zeno compared to acne systems for the face?
90% of patients using the Murad Acne System for 4 weeks have also reported an improvement in the number of pimples, for $59.90. 80% of patients using ProActiv Solution for 3-6 weeks have reported the same, for $39.95. However, these studies cannot be compared in actuality because they were taken from two different sources. For a comprehensive list of several different acne treatments, please click here.
As a result…
Zeno is proven effective against mild to moderate acne patients only, with acne subsiding 2.3 days faster in patients who use Zeno than those who do not. However, the results need to be compared directly in a study with benzoyl peroxide users, as benzoyl peroxide is a proven effective, much cheaper on-the-spot acne treatment (for instance, ZAPZYT Acne Treatment Gel is $4.99 on Amazon.com). At any rate, for patients who find that their acne is resistant to benzoyl peroxide, Zeno makes a particularly attractive option.
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February 11th, 2008
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futurederm |
Acne Treatments |
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Avon Clinical Advanced Dermabrasion System ($28.00, Avon.com) claims to combine “increasing intensities of Dermatologist-Grade Polishers” with an “Advanced Skin Conditioner” to give a “whole new level” of “youthfully radiant ” skin. Yet, how effective is Avon Clinical Advanced Dermabrasion System? Does it really measure up to dermatologists’ polishers?
Similar only to a “superficial” dermatologist’s peel
According to this study in the journal Dermatological Surgery, microdermabrasion with aluminum oxide crystals (similar to those found in Avon Clinical Advanced Dermabrasion System) is “the equivalent of a superficial chemical peel” and is less effective than resurfacing with the CO2 laser or Er:YAG laser. Unfortunately, according to the text Photoaging, microdermabrasion from a dermatologist’s office comes from a high-pressure device that uses a self-contained vacuum to remove dirt and shed skin, so it is impossible to adequately compare Avon Clinical Advanced Dermabrasion System to a dermatologist’s microdermabrasion, even if both use aluminum oxide crystals. (For the record, dermatologists may alternatively use sodium chloride or sodium bicarbonate.)
How effective is microdermabrasion with alumina from a dermatologist?
In this study from Dermatological Surgery, fourteen patients aged 40-75 underwent microdermabrasion once every 2 weeks over the course of 12 weeks at a dermatologist’s office. By patient assessment, there was a statistically significant improvement in skin’s roughness, mottled appearance, and overall appearance. There was also some improvement in age spots. However, acne scars were not improved with the treatment, and required deeper resurfacing. These facts are confirmed in the book Photoaging, which states that microdermabrasion may be used to treat “photoaged skin, comedonal acne, lengitines, striae (stretch marks), scars, palmoplantar keratoderma, Darier’s disease, and actinic keratoses.” A second study in Dermatological Study also found improvements in oiliness, thickness, and dilated pores.
Use with sunscreen!
Although this product contains moisturizing ingredients, it is not to be used alone. Because dermabrasion makes the skin more sensitive to the sun, use the product at night, and wear a broad-spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen during the day. Otherwise, you could be aging your skin more.
Not a great moisturizer
Although this is an excellent scrub, the excellence of the moisturizer was lost a bit in the “2-in-1″ deal. The moisturizer namely does not contain any proven anti-aging or repairing ingredients like peptides, retinol, hydroquinone, or sunscreen. It is hydrating, with glycerin, petrolatum, dimethicone and cetyl alcohol, amongst other ingredients. It is also somewhat soothing, with bisabolol. According to the text Marine Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods, corallina officialis extract is a calcified red algae that contains the carotenoid pigment zeaxanthin, so the moisturizer may have a bit of antioxidant properties here. Crataegus monogina fruit extract also contains carotenoids, and has antioxidant properties substantiated by Nahrung/Food, amongst others.
Overall…
A great scrub for your face, neck, upper chest and hands. It may help with stretch marks as well. Used twice a week in conjunction with sunscreen, it should resurface the skin superficially and make it appear more smooth. However, do not expect the results of microdermabrasion from a dermatologist’s office. Also, don’t forget to wear sunscreen religiously while using this product! Overall rating: 8/10 (good scrub)
Ingredients (courtesy Avon.com)
WATER/EAU
ALUMINA
POLYETHYLENE
DICAPRYLYL MALEATE
GLYCERIN
HYDROGENATED POLYDECENE
PEG-20 METHYL GLUCOSE SESQUISTEARATE
CETYL ALCOHOL
METHYL GLUCOSE SESQUISTEARATE
CORALLINA OFFICINALIS EXTRACT
CRATAEGUS MONOGINA FRUIT EXTRACT
BISABOLOL
PANTHENOL
DIMETHICONE
PHOSPHORIC ACID
CARBOMER
PETROLATUM
ACRYLATES COPOLYMER
LAURAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE
SODIUM HYDROXIDE
DISODIUM EDTA
PHENOXYETHANOL
METHYLPARABEN
ETHYLPARABEN
PROPYLPARABEN
PARFUM/FRAGRANCE
MAY CONTAIN:
MICA
IRON OXIDES
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February 11th, 2008
Posted by
futurederm |
Best Products, Best Products, Hyperpigmentation Treatments, Pore Size Treatments, Product Reviews |
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