My Seborrheic Dermatitis Skin Regimen

Article Discussion
55

Hi Antoine,

Thanks for the feedback. Sorry to hear that. It can be quite an annoying condition.
Yeah, that is the face wash I’ve been using. Additionally, I would follow up with the moisturiser (http://www.beaute-test.com/emulsion_hydratante_-_restoraderm_cetaphil.php). Ultimately I believe the moisturiser played a bigger role than the wash, however it is really hard to say as I used both.

As for thermal waters, I’m guessing this is the same as hot springs. Overall they might have some sort of benefit, however I personally doubt that hot springs alone can present a complete cure. I’ve been currently writing a book trying to really understand the skin and SD. Based on some of this research I believe that people with SD simply have issues producing certain antimicrobial compounds required for the control of the fungi which causes the SD. Additionally, certain factors such as overall immunity and the bacterial make-up of ones individual skin both play significant roles in this.

Lately, I’ve completely stopped washing my face and have started using a product I have created for myself based on some of my research (and testing of different combination of the ingredients found in the Restoraderm products). Overall happy with the results so far, but need a few more weeks to see how things turn out.

Hopefully that helps and I’ll update once the book is ready. Take care.

56

Hi Mark,

Was very surprised to see you back. I’ve been going hard lately on researching this thing. So, far I’ve read and analysed about 200 medical papers around SD. Overall, I feel fairly close to understanding how it works and the process involved in it’s progress.

Regarding the dietary aspect, this will depend on the initial source of the problem. For some people a diet change may actually fully resolve the issue. However, for the most part I believe a multi-faceted approach is required and for this and I think it’s important for people to understand the pathogenesis of SD (and skin conditions in general).

The book is about 70% ready and will update once it’s complete (hoping to finish in the next month or so).

Additionally, I’ve been busy making a lotion based on everything I’ve learned so far. Have stopped washing my face for about a week now and have just used the lotion. So far happy with the results, but more time is required to see how it turns out. Will hopefully have some samples soon for the community to test out as well.

Hope something may help mate.

57

Hi Mark,

Yeah, there was another reader who had similar results from the water fast. However, I have mixed feelings regarding the theory that it is all the gunk coming out of system. There are so many aspects that could be at play that the one fits all approach is likely flawed (yet it may also be applicable…).

For example, perhaps by fasting you simply restricted the system of the antimicrobial peptides and oils it needs to defend the glands which they are secreted from and this lead to further infiltration by the microbes present on your skin…

There are just so many things that could be occurring that it would be hard to really make any assumptions without a deep understanding of your personal history/circumstances.

All the best.

58

Hi Connor,

It’s hard to generalize for everyone. For some it may be okay, while for others it may cause issues.

In my opinion, the best approach is to keep start a diary and record any corresponding changes. However, this was actually quite hard for me to do.

Hope that helps.

59

Hey Brazilian Guy,

Regarding the spinach it has a significant amount of oxalates and biologically active amines. These require a fairly stable a strong digestive system to process and neutralize. Thus, lots of the information on the internet recommends removing it from the diet.

Have tried sauerkraut before. Didn’t seem to show any direct results. The cabbage juice can sometimes almost give me a head-rush (particularly if the cabbage is extra pungent). The only issue that I have seen regarding sauerkraut it contains a significant amount of histamine (especially well aged) and this may also put stress on the digestive process. But in the end, there is so much overlapping research that can become quite confusing. Best thing seems to be to test it out and see how it effects you.

Yeah, all of these things can definitely have an impact as these things effect overall immunity. If your system is weak, the bacteria causing the SD basically get proliferate with less resistance.

From what you indicated, it seems that you may simply have some type of systemic infection. In this case, the best course of action would be to see a gastroenterologist and have your insides inspected. This way you may pin-point the exact reason for your issues. Systemic infection -> weak immune system -> skin issues. Aids is just another thing that will cause intense immuno-suppression and thus SD results.

In terms of the magnesium deficiency, this can either be the cause of the other issues or a result of them. Will all the test you have had done, I’m sure that you’ll definitely uncover your issue. Luckily you have found a good doctor. :slight_smile:

As for the pau d’arco tea, it didn’t seem to do anything for me. Let me know how it goes.

In terms of the research stuff, I’ll upload it some time this week and send you a link. :slight_smile:

The questionnaire is also a really good idea and have actually thought of this before. However, I was initially unsure with how much people will participate. However, now that the site has been growing it is time to go back to this idea.

Hope that helps and let me know if I missed anything. In summary, keep working with the doctor, if he can pinpoint the main issue I really think your SD will disappear.

60

Thank you for being so supportive. In fact, having magnesium deficiency raise the question: “Why do i have magnesium deficiency?” Probably i’m not absorbing enough magnesium because something is wrong with my GI tract. I’m looking forward to solve all my health issues, specially SD. On Monday i went to a otolaryngologist (ear-nose-throat doctor) and after a throat videoscopy he diagnosed the probable cause of my itchy throat, acid reflux (GERD), he prescribed some more texts to be sure, but he also thinks that the best course of action would be to see a gastroenterologist. I already schedule an appointment.

Meanwhile, i will keep trying things, i know that my SD is much better, but i can’t point why. Good diet? Natural Anti-fungals such as pau d’arco and coconut oil? Restoraderm? Problem they all contribute, the same goes for SD, probably the cause is complex, that is to say, multifactorial.

Hopefully i’ll be abbe to solve all the issues and solve SD along. Hopefully all of us. We must keep record of what we are doing and share our histories, our success will help others.

I’ll write again after my appointment with the gastroenterologist.

All the best!

61

hi Michael,very interesting that you have stopped washing your face and just use lotion,please let us know what lotion you use,I’ve stopped washing my face in the morning and stopped using restoraderm as I found it non responsive,I’m just using selsun shampoo on my face that has cleared me up of redness,I have also booked into see a gastroenterologist next month,I will report back after I see him,think my alcohol consumption a week ago contributed to my recent outbreak,hard to know really. Great to read these posts.

62

Thank you for your quick reply. Have you ever heard of people that cured this disease for good ? Is it possible that someday it will be gone ? Another thing is don’t you think that we could contact scientists or finance some study via crowdfunding or anything else ? I mean we are in 2015 and doctors are not yet sure about what causes the SD

I am also very interested by your book. I think I will try the cetaphil moisturer.

Once again thank you for your help and for what you are doing !

63

Yeah, sounds like all those things are acting sinergysticall. Currently, my research has been quite progressive and I’ve obtained a much more complete understanding of how SD works. However, the underlying issues can still vary from person to person. This makes it hard for medical professional to prescribe specific strategies for dealing with SD. The most approachable way for treatment is topical control, as it has fairly high success rates. The “find the route cause” approach requires quite thorough examinations and testing, thus it seems that it doesn’t really make sense for them to treat it in this way.

However, it all has to do with malfunctioning sebum production (can be caused by a variety of factors) and/or dysbiosis of the bacterial population of the skin. These are both extremely hard and costly to test and treat on an individual basis.

Look forward to hearing about your results from the gastroenterologist.

Will also send you all the stuff I currently have written for the book in the next week or so.

Best of luck!

64

Hi Mark,

The lotion I actually made myself. Found a local chemist and ordered all the ingredients that the Resotoraderm moisturizer has and started testing various combinations on my face. The formulation I have now is only 3 edible ingredients and it’s been working great. Hoping to get some packaged and send out samples to the community soon. Will let you know once I have an update.

Look forward to hearing how the gastroenterologist goes. I’m actually planning to schedule an appointment myself.
Even though my skin has been good it would be interesting to see how that goes.

All the best mate. PS> I sent you an invite on Google Hangouts. If you want we can chat briefly.

65

Hi Antoine,

Yeah, I’ve seen online reports and there are cases where it goes away completely in some of the medical literature I’ve been going over.
Sometimes something small can really set of the immune system and causes either messed up sebum composition (which causes topical infection and irritation) or simply a shift in the complex eco-system of the skin.

Will update once the book is ready.

And it seems that medical literature does have an understanding of what SD is. It’s just that that interrelation between us and the bacteria world is so complex that it becomes difficult to create a one fits all solution.

Also, I’ve made my own lotion. It’s been working really well for me. Would be interesting to see if it would as well for others.

All the best and thanks for the positive feedback :).

66

Thank you one more time Michael. What you are doing is fantastic. Your answer made my day especially when you say that the medical literature contains cases of complete healing. I hope it will be the case for all of us.

I am looking forward to read your book and to have more information of your mixture.

Once again thank you very much Michael.

67

Hi Michael,

I wanted to tell you that I found something called “eau de Quinton” or Quinton Water in english I guess. Basically it is sea water. It is named after a french biologist who cured many diseases by giving people sea water for some days. The results are impressive according to what I found on the internet. It seems very basic said like that but I’m thinking of trying this method. I would have liked to know if you already tried this or if you have ever red something on this cure ? It is not made especially for SD but I think it could help. You will find the Quinton’s theory and researches on internet.

Hope it can help

Antoine

68

Hi Michael,

Gh

69

HI Antoine,

Just checked it out. Honestly, I think it’s more of a scam than anything. What’s the difference between this and drinking spring water? Spring water has trace minerals as well… Also, in their product description they say the stuff is obtained from a plankton vortex? :slight_smile:

The theory and marketing strategy for these types of products has been around for quite a while. For example here are colloidal minerals which employee a similar tactic.

However, I have researched mineral deficiency in the past. One item you might want to check out is Shilajit. This stuff actually has a substantial amount of medical research behind it (most, if not all, appear to be animal based though). At-least this stuff has been around for quite some time and used by a ton of people… When I tried it, I didn’t see too much benefit for my skin, but maybe a slight improvement in overall energy (may simply have been placebo effect).

In the end though, I think that people with SD are extremely prone to making these types of mistakes (buying anything that promises to be a complete cure). I believe the most rewarding approach is through knowledge and understanding of our own bodies and skin. Once you understand how everything is suppose to function it becomes easier to identify potential problem areas and evaluate potential treatment approaches. I’ll send you the book once it’s ready, it really dives deep into a variety of subjects.

Hope that helps mate. All the best.

70

Hi Michael,

Here is Brazilian guy with a new nickname. I found some information about Lithium gluconate 8% as an effective treatment for seb derm. Have you heard of it?

These are the articles i found:

If you are able to read in french you can find more info in french seb derm forums, it seems that many have benefit from lithium gluconate topical solution. In France they sell a product for seb derm called Lithioderm, a commercial name for Lithium gluconate 8%, thats why it’s so popular over there.

Have you heard about it Antoine?

All the for all of you!

71

Hi Pedro,

Yeah, I’ve read about it previously. However, I haven’t tried it.
Here is a snippet that summarizes some of the main research behind it:

Lithium Salts Both lithium succinate and lithium gluconate have demonstrated effectiveness in treating seborrheic dermatitis, probably due to their anti-inflammatory effects. Lithium succinate 8% ointment was investigated twice-daily (for a total of 8 weeks) and showed significantly greater efficacy than placebo (source). It has also been used successfully in HIV patients with facial seborrheic dermatitis (source). Lithium gluconate 8% ointment used twice-daily was tested in a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in 129 patients (source). After 8 weeks, 29.1% in the lithium group and 3.8% in the placebo group had experienced complete remission. Lithium gluconate 8% ointment used twice-daily was 22% more effective than ketoconazole 2% emulsion used twice-weekly in a randomized study of 288 patients (source).

Right now I’ve strictly stopped using everything except water to wash my face. Additionally, I made my own ointment based on all the research I’ve been doing and have been using it daily for the last 2-2.5 weeks. So far the results have been fantastic and my skin got a lot of color back (compared to when I was using Restoraderm).

Additionally, the ointment is even safe for consumption (100% edible and natural). And this was one of my biggest issues with many other products so far, as I’ve always been a little skeptical to what they might be doing long term.

Would you be interested in giving it a try?
Here is the label:
Biom8 Ointment

All the best.

72

Congratulations man, it looks awesome and i’m definitely interested in giving a try. Just tell me how.

Restoraderm has helped, but i still have a sort of pinkness around my nose and occasional red pimples. Now i’m noticing that sun may get things worse, pinkness turns to redness and pimples get pretty visible, nevertheless, when i go to the beach it gets so much better that i even forget about seb derm, maybe because of the sea water? I don’t know.

What i surely know is that seb derm is a very frustrating condition, one day everything is fine and it seems to be gone and shortly after that you face the redness again. But i have hope that we gonna find answers in this community. I’m currently interested in the relation between skin issues and metabolic disorders, hope to find something helpful.

You are doing an amazing job Michael, i have learned a lot with SkinDrone and don’t waste anymore time reading inconsistent forums.

All the best!

73

By the way, the fact that the ointment is even safe for consumption is all we need. I mean, this is the logic that keeps us healthy, we probably wouldn’t be here if we had follow that road long ago. We can no longer rely on industrialized products, most of them are poison.

74

Hi Pedro,

Yes I heard about it mainly on french forums. However I have not tried it yet. I think Michael has given you precise information about it. It seems to be used here when antifongic are not really effective. However like for other treatments you find people saying it is not working very well for them. So it is not the miracle solution expected by all of us. I’m going to see two doctors this week. I hope it will help. Michael, is BIOM 8 the name of your lotion ? I would be interested to try it and to read your book. Another question which is important to me: after all the readings you went through do you think that one day scientists will find a cure for good for this shitty SD ?

Thank you one more time Michael for all your work !