Skin conditions and cannabis – survey finds support for use in acne, psoriasis and rosacea

A new survey of over 500 adult patients in the US, has found widespread support for the use of cannabis products in skin disorders – although few have actually tried them.

Almost 89 per cent of respondents said they would be willing to try a cannabis-based product, if recommended by a dermatologist, according to the survey, which was carried out by researchers at George Washington University and the University of Maryland.

A further 73 percent of participants said they would be comfortable seeing a dermatologist who recommended cannabis-based products.

But only 18 per cent had used an over the counter cannabis product without a dermatologist’s recommendation. Of those who had seen a dermatologist, 15 per cent used an over the counter product and eight per cent used a medical cannabis product which required a Department of Health-approved card, per their dermatologist’s recommendations.

The most common indications which cannabis-based products were used for were acne, psoriasis and rosacea.

The global CBD skincare market is expected to increase to USD$1.7 billion by 2025 according to market. research company, Million Insights.

Lead author, Samuel Yeroushalmi, a fourth-year MD student at George Washington University. School of Medicine and Health Sciences (GW SMHS), wanted to examine consumer attitudes to medical cannabis products in light of limited scientific data.

He commented: “MCPs [medical cannabis products], which are cannabis or cannabis-derived products that contain tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, and/or cannabidiol, known as CBD, are more available now than they ever have been. However, data supporting use and information regarding product quality assurance is limited, particularly when it comes to dermatologic conditions.

“We wanted to take a closer look at how patients both feel about and use MCPs as part of their treatment plans.”

The researchers concluded that consumers were in and are already using medical cannabis products, mostly for inflammatory skin conditions, and recommended more education for dermatologists.

Adam Friedman, MD, professor and chair of the Department of Dermatology at GW SMHS, said: “This study spotlights and provides supporting evidence that the skin care consumer is open to and interested in MCPs. Consumers and patients are already using MCPs to treat inflammatory skin conditions, such as acne, rosacea, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis, even without guidance from a dermatologist.

“While acceptance was high, there were clear barriers reported limiting use and uptake, such as patient skepticism and a lack of understanding. This mirrors data our group published regarding the dermatology health care practitioner’s perspective and fund of knowledge, underscoring the need for more research and education for both dermatologists and the public. The future should be bright for MCPs; we just need to show and disseminate the science.”