https://medicalxpress.com/skin-hair-news/ en-us Latest health news and information about Skin & Hair Care None of the certification programs consumers rely on to find safer personal care products require laboratory testing of the products they certify, according to a new analysis. All judge chemical safety from ingredient lists and paperwork supplied by manufacturers, an approach that cannot catch contaminants, impurities or anything else that was never meant to be in the bottle. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-08-certified-safe-personal-products-finished.html Tue, 25 Aug 2026 08:00:01 EDT news706857330 As we age, the skin loses part of its ability to regenerate, heal wounds and maintain an effective barrier against the outside world. Among the causes of this deterioration is low-grade, persistent age-associated inflammation, but the mechanisms that keep this response active in skin cells are not yet well understood. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-08-aging-reprograms-skin-genetic-inflammation.html Wed, 19 Aug 2026 05:00:03 EDT news706268221 Upadacitinib is a medication widely used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis that works by inhibiting Janus kinase (JAK) enzymes, which are involved in signaling pathways that regulate immune responses. Now, scientists have found another application for this immune system-modulating drug. Two recent Phase III international trials involving 1,399 people found that upadacitinib helped with alopecia areata, which causes people to lose hair, resulting in small, round bald patches on the scalp and elsewhere on the body. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-08-common-arthritis-pill-repurposed-boost.html Mon, 17 Aug 2026 12:40:01 EDT news706178056 A new study of sunscreens, baby lotions, shampoos, soaps and other everyday products found that nearly all contained chemicals not disclosed on their labels. Most contained at least one unlabeled chemical with known or suspected health hazards, and one in four contained a chemical that contradicted claims on the package, including "phthalate-free" products that contained phthalates. The research is published in Environment & Health. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-08-everyday-personal-products-unlabeled-chemicals.html Tue, 11 Aug 2026 15:40:08 EDT news705672061 Hair loss is often caused by a combination of heredity and aging, says Dr. Dawn Davis, a Mayo Clinic dermatologist. Treatments that may slow that type of hair loss and help regrow hair, including over-the-counter therapies such as shampoos, are available. And they can be effective. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-08-expert-hair-loss.html Fri, 07 Aug 2026 07:20:01 EDT news705296281 Two international critical reviews of the testing and legal framework for lip cosmetic products have identified significant blind spots in ingestion rate data, tissue testing types and ingredients used in products. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-08-experts-global-lip-cosmetics.html Wed, 05 Aug 2026 07:00:05 EDT news705124381 Hair products used in hair salons release aerosols that can cause respiratory tract irritation if inhaled. Under a contract from industry, researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine ITEM investigated the effects of aerosols produced when using heated chemical hair products. Using an innovative cell-based in vitro inhalation method, the researchers can estimate effects on the respiratory tract and identify potentially harmful substances. This non-animal testing method supports safe product development that is fully in line with the safe-by-design approach, which integrates safety in product development right from the start. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-08-hair-products-animal.html Mon, 03 Aug 2026 11:40:03 EDT news704973831 Nichole Sims started using a tanning bed at 15 because she said everyone around her was doing it, especially before events like homecoming dances and prom. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-tanning-hot-skin.html Thu, 30 Jul 2026 16:20:11 EDT news704645542 Your social media feed is full of people talking about the "holy grail" of skincare. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-clinical-grade-skincare-creams-shouldnt.html Thu, 30 Jul 2026 08:20:03 EDT news704614262 Adding oral antihistamines to existing eczema treatments is unlikely to lead to clinically important reductions in eczema and itch severity and may not reduce sleep disturbance or flare-ups, finds a review of the latest trial evidence published by The BMJ today. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-antihistamines-meaningful-benefit-eczema.html Wed, 29 Jul 2026 18:30:01 EDT news704463061 Researchers at VIB and KU Leuven, together with international collaborators, have discovered that blocking autophagy—the body's natural recycling system for worn-out cell components—in specialized blood vessels can reduce inflammation in mice with psoriasis. Unlike many current therapies, this strategy reduces inflammation without weakening the immune system. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-body-natural-recycling-inflammation.html Tue, 28 Jul 2026 12:20:08 EDT news704456941 Moisturizers, sunscreens and anti-aging creams are usually sold on familiar promises: to keep water in the skin, strengthen its protective barrier, protect against sun damage or reduce visible signs of aging. These functions remain central to healthy skin. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-skincare-revolution-immune.html Sat, 25 Jul 2026 14:00:05 EDT news703772748 Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks and destroys melanocytes, the cells that produce the skin pigment melanin. Once the melanocytes are gone, the skin turns white, leading to the characteristic skin patches of the disease. However, the standard model of vitiligo doesn't explain some of its unusual features. Some vitiligo lesions repigment, and treatments sometimes restore pigmentation even in areas that lack melanocytes, suggesting that the melanocytes may not be fully destroyed. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-dormant-pigment-cells-vitiligo-patches.html Thu, 23 Jul 2026 15:00:08 EDT news704031481 The use of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity is associated with an increased risk of hair loss (alopecia) in adults with type 2 diabetes, a study published by The BMJ finds. Although the absolute risk is low, awareness of this potential effect may help inform shared treatment decisions, the researchers say. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-glp-diabetes-drugs-linked-higher.html Wed, 22 Jul 2026 18:30:01 EDT news703914961 Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease affecting more than 60 million people worldwide, characterized by painful red patches, scaling and skin thickening. While existing biologic treatments largely focus on calming hyperactive T cells in the skin, complete disease resolution remains challenging. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-skin-bone-marrow-axis-discovery.html Wed, 22 Jul 2026 13:00:04 EDT news703941362 Individuals across racial and ethnic groups report psoriasis as a considerable burden, including transportation barriers, difficulty accessing medications and delayed care, according to a study published online July 15 in Dermatology & Therapy. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-individuals-ethnicities-psoriasis-considerable-burden.html Mon, 20 Jul 2026 17:20:08 EDT news703780946 An NSAID-related compound called ampyrone appears to safely boost production of the pigment melanin in human skin, according to a preclinical study led by Weill Cornell Medicine and National Eye Institute investigators. The discovery could lead to the development of an ampyrone-derived treatment for hypopigmentation disorders. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-discovery-drug-therapy-hypopigmentation-conditions.html Sun, 19 Jul 2026 09:30:01 EDT news703255463 A constant interplay takes place on the surface of the body between cells, the immune system and the skin microbiota. We do not notice it—until the balance is disturbed. Then it becomes clear that the outermost layer of the skin plays a crucial role in the well-being of the whole body. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-skin-microbiota-billions-microbes.html Wed, 15 Jul 2026 09:40:10 EDT news703325890 As cosmetic procedures surge worldwide and beauty content increasingly dominates social media platforms, a new study from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem suggests that for some women, cosmetic treatments may begin to resemble compulsive or addiction-like behavior. The study, led by Dr. Vera Skvirsky alongside Dr. Uri Lifshin, Dr. Dvora Shmulewitz and Prof. Mario Mikulincer from the Department of Psychology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Israel Center for Addiction and Mental Health (ICAMH), examined what the researchers describe as "addictive cosmetic procedure use," or ACPU, among Jewish Israeli women. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-cosmetic-procedures-addictive-links-addiction.html Mon, 13 Jul 2026 11:40:01 EDT news703155281 Ongoing research reveals that multifloral honey is a promising candidate for protecting human skin cells from premature aging and cell damage caused by UV radiation, with the potential for future clinical and cosmetic applications. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-exploring-honey-anti-aging-properties.html Thu, 09 Jul 2026 04:20:01 EDT news702712281 Biohub researchers have performed what they believe is the first genome-wide CRISPR study of primary human adult skin cells, then used an AI model to mine the results for overlooked drug targets for psoriasis. They found an unlikely candidate: the receptor for oxytocin, a hormone involved in childbirth and sometimes called the "love hormone" for its additional role in social bonding. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-ai-crispr-uncovers-oxytocin-receptor.html Wed, 08 Jul 2026 17:40:01 EDT news702741456 Colorless carotenoids are naturally occurring compounds found in many fruits and vegetables, and are the biosynthetic precursors of familiar colored carotenoids such as lycopene and β-carotene. Despite their important biological roles, phytoene and phytofluene have received far less scientific attention because their geometric isomers are difficult to separate and purify in sufficient quantities for detailed investigation. As a result, little has been known about how individual isomers differ in their chemical characteristics and biological activities, limiting their potential development as high-value functional ingredients. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-rare-colorless-carotenoids-emerge-multifunctional.html Tue, 07 Jul 2026 14:00:07 EDT news702647087 Diagnosis and management of atopic dermatitis, a type of eczema, are complicated by skin temperature fluctuations, unclear responses to at-home moisturizers, and measurement systems that don't penetrate the deep layers of skin affected by the disease. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-infrared-skin-sensor-tracks-deeper.html Tue, 07 Jul 2026 11:00:03 EDT news702573468 A QIMR Berghofer study has revealed that short periods outdoors during hours of low sunlight can cause skin damage and contribute to skin cancer risk. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-beliefs-safe-sun.html Tue, 30 Jun 2026 20:40:01 EDT news702056101 Dr. Michael Girardi understood the importance of sunscreen from an early age. When he was a child, his uncle died of melanoma. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-qa-sunscreen-safety-essential-skin.html Mon, 29 Jun 2026 22:40:01 EDT news701969042 You've likely heard it since childhood: Don't scratch that bug bite or rash, you'll make it worse. But why would something that feels so good be bad? https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-bug-good-science-bad-idea.html Sat, 27 Jun 2026 15:28:31 EDT news701792886 Two proteins with opposing functions orchestrate the development and maintenance of healthy skin, Stanford Medicine researchers have found. Modulating their activity with topical drugs could reduce inflammation, aid wound healing and slow or halt the growth of skin cancer, the researchers believe. The findings are published in the journal Science. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-opposing-protein-pathways-skin-stem.html Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:53:35 EDT news701621585 As summer in the U.S. heats up, people become more diligent about protecting their skin from the sun. Another option for doing so will soon be available. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-sunscreen-ingredient-fda-skin-scientist.html Sat, 20 Jun 2026 12:30:01 EDT news701010247 Sunscreen is overwhelmingly promoted in popular TikTok videos, but content containing health misinformation about sunscreen attracts disproportionately high audience engagement, according to a new study published June 18 in the open access journal PLOS Digital Health by Alessandro Marcon of the University of Alberta, Canada, and colleagues. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-sunscreen-misinformation-high-engagement-tiktok.html Thu, 18 Jun 2026 14:00:03 EDT news700988821 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved bemotrizinol (BEMT) for use in over-the-counter sunscreen products. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-fda-sunscreen-ingredient-decades.html Wed, 10 Jun 2026 21:00:03 EDT news700315169