Cannabidiol (CBD) may protect against skin damage caused by the sun’s ultraviolet-A (UVA) radiation. The corresponding study was published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
“This innovative trial is the first to establish the potential protective capacity of CBD, when purposefully delivered, in humans against the harmful effects of UVA radiation, both validating and marking a significant advancement in the field of cannabinoid based skin care,” said Adam Friedman, professor and chair of dermatology at the George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences in a news release.
The researchers conducted a prospective pilot clinical trial with 19 participants. Each applied a nano-encapsulated CBD cream or the same cream without CBD to areas of the skin twice per day for two weeks. After this period, the treated areas of skin were exposed to up to three times the amount of ultraviolet radiation needed to burn or injure skin. Some 24 hours later, the researchers collected skin biopsies of the skin areas to check for cellular and DNA damage linked to UVA exposure.
Ultimately, they found that 21% of participants had less redness on CBD-treated skin than those treated without. Those treated with CBD also had significantly reduced skin thickening, suggesting that the compound protected against UVA skin cell injury. The researchers further found that those who used CBD cream had reduced DNA damage and DNA mutations linked to UVA-induced skin aging and damage, and that 50% treated with CBD had no DNA damage from UVA exposure.
“We have some great evidence that, when delivered in a meaningful way, cannabidiol can have an important impact on skin health,” said Friedman in Washington's Top News (WTOP).
He noted that while sunscreen continues to be the best form of sun protection for skin, he looks at nano-CBD as a 'cleanup' that can help repair and protect DNA from UV radiation.
“While this is the most involved study and the largest study of its kind, certainly more research is needed to really find out where CBD delivered in this unique way has a place in managing healthy skin and protecting against the harmful effects of the environment like the sun,” he added.
Sources: Newswise, Washington's Top News (WTOP), Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology