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Canthaxanthin
Author(s) -
Gupta Aditya K.,
Haberman Herbert F.,
Pawlowski Danuta,
Shulman Geoffrey,
Me I.Aravindakshan
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
international journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1365-4632
pISSN - 0011-9059
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-4362.1985.tb05554.x
Subject(s) - canthaxanthin , medicine , dermatology , vitiligo , surgery , carotenoid , food science , biology , astaxanthin
Canthaxanthin is used as a food‐coloring agent, a photoprotective agent in certain photodermatoses, a tan‐ simulating agent, and a pigment to darken vitiliginous skin. This article reviews the current literature on Canthaxanthin and reports the evaluation of oral canthaxanthin as an artificial pigment for the management of vitiligo. Fifty‐six patients were studied, using serum Canthaxanthin levels, pre‐ and post‐treatment photographs with standard conditions, physician assessment, and patient questionnaires evaluating treatment results. Canthaxanthin was rated “very satisfactory” by 10%“satisfactory” by 35%, and “unsatisfactory” by 54% of patients, light‐skinned individuals, self‐reports were “very satisfactory” in 27%, “satisfactory” in 45%, and “unsatisfactor” in 27%. In dark‐skinned individuals, the treatment was less effective. Women were happier with the results than men. Major side effects were red stools and orange palms and soles. Canthaxanthin can he taken orally, is easy to use, and can he a cosmetically acceptable therapy in selected cases of vitligo.