reach out to the company, and if they don’t share it, that’s a red flag,” he notes.
Look at the other ingredients, too, he adds, because “if you have sensitivity to other actives, you could react.”
And never use these products in place of prescribed treatments for your skin disease, Friedman stresses.
The findings were published in the January issue of the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology.
RELATED: CBD May help Prevent and Treat COVID
More research needed
Other experts not involved with the study point out there’s still a lot to learn about the role of CBD and medical marijuana in skin and other diseases.
“Everything from the correct component CBD or THC, the proper dose and the proper formulation still really needs to be hammered out,” says Dr. Peter Lio, a clinical assistant professor of dermatology and pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago.
“There is some evidence that topical CBD products can have anti-itch, anti-inflammatory, and even wound-healing properties in skin disease,” he shares. “These also appear very safe and do not have the same issues as products that contain THC, which is the psychoactive component of the marijuana plant.”
Always do a patch test, Lio stresses: “Any new product could potentially cause issues, especially in those with more sensitive skin.”
It makes sense that people are turning toward these products, says Dr. Mark Moyad. He is the Jenkins/Pokempner Director of Preventive and Alternative Medicine at the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor.
“Unfilled, unmet or unsatisfied needs and expectations of some of the conventional options may drive people to try CBD or medical marijuana for skin conditions,” Moyad explains.
Unfortunately, drug interactions and risks are being learned on the fly, he notes.
“These products are here to stay and people need answers, which means more funding should be dedicated to objective research because we need to find out where these products might be truly helpful,” Moyad concludes.
Before trying any products, it is important to consult with your dermatologist to discuss how they may impact your condition or interact with any other medications you are already taking.