The use of cannabidiol, also known as CBD, and cannabis products for acne, psoriasis and other skin conditions continues to grow in popularity, but dermatologists warn that there is a gap in what is known about the safety and efficacy of these products.
A recent study found that 17.6% of a group of 500 adults said they used an over-the-counter cannabis product to treat a skin condition without a dermatologist’s recommendation. A large percentage of participants also said they were interested in trying the products.
CBD is one of the many cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, but by itself it is not psychoactive. This is caused by tetrahydrocannabinol, o THC, the main active chemical in marijuana. CBD actually comes from the hemp plant, a cousin of marijuana, and is also often made in a laboratory.
Dr. Adam Friedman, president of dermatology at the George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences and one of the study’s authors, told US News & World Report that it was time for science to approach demand.
In the study, published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 20% of people who had seen a dermatologist were advised by their doctors to try a CBD product and almost 8% of them used medical marijuana.
According to Harvard Health, The Farm Bill legalized CBD in the U.S. as long as it comes from hemp and not cannabis.
Buying CBD even without a medical marijuana license is legal in most states. In Pennsylvania and New Jersey, residents do not need a prescription to buy CBD oil as long as it is derived directly from hemp. To purchase medical marijuana, residents must receive a card approved by their physicians.
What do we know so far?
There has been some early animal data on how these products might help treat inflammatory skin diseases, but more research is needed, Friedman said.
Some dermatologists say that CBD and cannabis products can help reduce inflammation and damage caused by conditions such as acne, psoriasis and eczema.
Promising data from small studies suggest that topical CBD products can fight inflammation, reduce itchy skin, and may even help heal any wounds. However, researchers still need to provide a clear safety profile or nail down the best dose or formulation.
A 2014 study of human skin samples found that CBD compounds slowed the excessive accumulation of oil, which is often at the root of acne breakouts. It also had anti-inflammatory effects on the oil-producing skin glands.
Another study, published in the journal La Clinica Terapeutica, tested a CBD-enriched ointment on scars related to psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. After applying the ointment to the scars twice a day for three months, participants reported a significant improvement in the appearance of their skin.
Based on the results of a 2005 study of hemodialysis patients with itchy skin, the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology says that CBD is very promising, especially in the treatment of itchy skin.
The World Health Organization considers CBD to be safe for most people, but reports that some side effects, such as fatigue, diarrhea, and changes in appetite and weight, are possible. It is important to note that these side effects are largely reported in people who ingested CBD, have not applied it to the skin.
Lack of regulation
In addition to the lack of research on the safety and effectiveness of these products, health experts say the lack of quality control with CBD oil is another concern. This is because, unlike medical marijuana, these products are not regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration.
People who are considering buying one of these products are advised to look into all the ingredients to make sure that the product does not contain anything to which they may be sensitive. They should also review the product review certificate, if available.
The document includes any tests that have been performed on the product. Certificates of analysis can often be found online, but most companies will provide them directly upon request. It is recommended for people who buy from companies whose products are approved in independent laboratories.
Dermatologists stress that people should never use these products as a replacement for any treatment prescribed for a skin condition. Also, when using them, people should first do a patch test to see if there are any reactions to the ingredients in the products.
