Cannabis has been a popular topic recently, with a clear consensus that there are wide health benefits to the plant, and evolving laws that are increasing its availability. Recognized commonly for its use in chronic pain and inflammation, its benefits in treating a variety of skin conditions is a less familiar topic. This article will focus on cannabidiol (CBD) only, i.e. the part of the plant not containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the psychoactive part that gets you high.

CBD's effect on skin goes beyond its anti-inflammatory effects, and is not only helpful in treatment but prevention as well.

Dr. Phillip Blair, MD, Ret. COL spoke on this topic at the recent Cannabis World Conference and Business Exposition in Los Angeles. An international consultant on medical uses of CBD, Dr. Blair geared this presentation to the effects CBD can have on such conditions as acne, psoriasis, and even skin cancer. This was the inspiration for this article.

• Neuro-regulation
• Immune modulation—includes decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF, IL1 and IL6 and increasing anti-inflammatory cytokines IL4 and IL10
• Effects on hunger, stress, and sex hormones
• Ability to restore balance to the Endocannabinoid System (ECS)

What is Cannabidiol?
Cannabidiol (pronounced Can’na-bi-die’-ol) is a derivative of the cannabis or hemp plant that contains a number of beneficial natural chemicals such as cannabinoids and terpenes, providing a synergistic or "entourage effect." This means that when added together, the effects are not simply additive, but create a more potent effect overall.

Over-the-counter cannabidiol, legal in all 50 states, contains less than .3 percent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). In states where licensed, plants and their derivatives that contain more than .3 percent THC require a medical license and are purchased at a dispensary. That is a changing requirement, though, beyond the scope of this article. THC is the chemical in the plant that has direct mind- and mood-altering effects; i.e., it gets you high. Non-THC CBD also can have positive effects on mind and mood, but without the "high" effect.

Cannabidiol and the Skin
Cannabidiol (CBD) has been shown to have positive effects on a variety of skin conditions, its mechanism of action going beyond the commonly accepted anti-inflammatory properties of CBD. The most common modes of administration for skin care are orally and topically. Conditions treated include acne, eczema, psoriasis, skin cancer, wound healing, and aging skin.

The Endocannabinoid System and Acne
Acne is generally a result of overactive sebaceous glands. The body's endocannabinoid system (ECS) which plays a key role in the regulation of sebum production¹ responds to both endocannabinoids (made naturally in our body) and phytocannabinoids (found in the cannabis plant). Balancing the ECS is key here.

CBD works three different ways to regulate a sebaceous cell:

• Stops inflammatory lipids like arachidonic acid
• Stops the extra production of the cell types in sebaceous cells that lead to overproduction of sebaceous material
• Provides an anti-inflammatory effect²

There are other factors, too, which facilitate acne beyond the sebocyte factor. One is the over-production of testosterone which induces lipid synthesis, with excessive secretion and cell growth. CBD was shown to inhibit this lipid syntheses.2 Another factor is the overgrowth of bacteria called Propionibacterium. CBD has been shown to exhibit antibacterial properties and potentially inhibit its growth.^2,3

Eczema
Eczema is a common skin condition characterized by a red, itchy rash, most commonly appearing on the face, back of the knees, wrists, hands, or feet, but may affect other areas as well. Eczema affects about 10 percent to 20 percent of infants and about 3 percent of adults and children in the US.

Newer research indicates that that skin conditions like eczema and acne develop when there is an imbalance in the ECS,⁴ and suggests that the cannabinoids can help repair this imbalance by interacting with cannabinoid receptors. One study of 2500 patients with eczema experienced significant reductions in redness, scaling, itching, chafing, and thickening after regular topical use of a cannabinoid-containing cream. This study also resulted in 38.3 percent of the patients experiencing a complete resolution of itching symptoms.⁵

Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder which includes pathological overproduction of skin cells. The cytokine, Interleukin-17 (IL-17) is known to be largely responsible for psoriasis. CBD reduces the production of inflammatory cytokines IL-17 and IL-6 and increases the production of an anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10.⁶ This is a great boon to psoriasis sufferers, who have had to cover up with clothing, or take strong and expensive medications. They can now use a product that not only treats their unsightly rash, but has side benefits instead of side effects.

Skin Cancer
Many studies show promising results of cannabis on cancer cells. One study found that activating the cannabinoid receptors induced cell death in tumorigenic epidermal cells, while the non-cancerous epidermal cells remained unaffected.⁷ Dr. Blair discussed his experience with a 50-year-old man with recurring basal cell cancer. He had the cancer removed and covered the area with CBD under a band-aid. The patient experienced complete healing at two months with no signs of recurrence.

Wound Healing
There is considerable anecdotal evidence related to cannabis and wound healing. A few studies suggest that activation of the endocannabinoid system plays a role in this process.⁸ Dr. Blair showed some before and after photos of a patient with a wound on his arm, showing significant healing within 12 weeks.

Anti-aging Skin Care
There are an increasing number of CBD-containing skin care products, owing largely to its anti-inflammatory effects, which can counter the effects of aging.

Dosing and Application
For skin conditions, CBD can be taken orally, in capsules, gel caps or tinctures, or topically, as a cream or oil. Dosing should start at 15 mg of CBD twice a day orally, adjusting the dose upward as needed. It not unusual to go up to 60 mg. For a location-specific condition like eczema or skin cancer, you can apply the topical cannabis directly on the affected area. For nonspecific topical application, CBD oil can be applied to the back and covered with a band-aid as protection. Any improvements are typically seen in about two weeks after the first dose.

A number of troublesome and heretofore difficult to treat skin conditions have been resolved successfully with its use. And this is just one of a growing wave of uses of CBD.

We thank Dr. Phillip Blair for supplying both the inspiration and a portion of the material for this article.

References:

1. Dobrosi N, et al. Endocannabinoids enhance lipid synthesis and apoptosis of human sebocytes via cannabinoid receptor-2-mediated signaling. FASEB J. 2008;22(10):3685¡V95.
2. Olah A, et al. Cannabidiol exerts sebostatic and anti-inflammatory effects on human sebocytes. The Journal of Clinical Investigation. 2014;124(9): 3713¡V24
3. Kozela E, et al. Cannabinoids Decrease the Th17 Inflammatory Autoimmune Phenotype. Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology. 2013;8(5): 1265¡V76
4. Appendino G, et al. Antibacterial cannabinoids from Cannabis sativa: a structure-activity study. J Nat Prod. 2008;71(8):1427¡V30.
5. Eberlein, B., Eicke, C., Reinhardt, H.W., and Ring, J. (2008, January). Adjuvant treatment of atopic eczema: assessment of an emollient containing Npalmitoylethanolamine (ATOPA study). Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology: JEADV, 22(1), 73¡V82.
6. Biro, T., Toth, B.I., Hasko, G., Paus, R., and Pacher, P. (2009). The endocannabinoid system of the skin in health and disease: novel perspectives and therapeutic opportunities. Trends in Pharmacological Sciences, 30(8), 411¡V20.
7. M. Llanos Casanova, et al. Inhibition of Skin Tumor Growth and Angiogenesis in Vivo by Activation of Cannabinoid receptors. JCI. 2003;111(1): 43¡V50.
8. Ramot Y, Sugawara K, Zakany N, Toth BI, Biro T, Paus R. (2013) A novel control of human keratin expression: cannabinoid receptor 1-mediated signaling down-regulates the expression of keratins K6 and K16 in human keratinocytes in vitro and in situ. PeerJ 1:e40 https://peerj.com/articles/40/

As French fashion designer Coco Chanel once said, “Nature gives you the face you have at 20; it is up to you to merit the face you have at 50.”

We are all in search of a more youthful appearance. With age, comes the inevitable changes to our skin i.e., texture change, wrinkle formation, color change, etc. Our 21st-century world poses many challenges to maintaining glowing, radiant skin. Sugar-laden and processed foods, dehydration, air pollution, EMF exposure, alcohol, tobacco, sun damage, stress, and lack of sleep are all the thieves that will steal our youthful appearance.

While, we cannot hold back time, modern science has given us some amazing solutions that allow us to seriously slow the aging process way down…and even roll it back a bit!

Thankfully for us, there is good news on the skin rejuvenation front. By adding healthy lifestyle and dietary choices into the mix along with an effective skin care regimen, we can, indeed, merit a more youthful and healthy appearance.

The Two Aging Villains: Inflammation and Dehydration
Only 10 –15 percent of visible aging is directly related to genetics. That leaves the vast percentage of the aging process as the result of external conditions in addition to our personal choices and habits.

If it’s not really about our genes, then what does initiate the aging process? It is now understood that the inflammatory process is one of the key aging villains. Research shows chronic inflammation undermines healthy, youthful skin.

But, first, here is a quick definition of inflammation. Inflammation is an immune response that occurs when tissue has been injured or abnormally stimulated. Although it is a normal immune response, it is a problem when there is a continuous barrage of factors that keep the inflammatory process constantly active. An inflammatory response triggers the production of free radicals, which in turn starts a destructive chain of events, called the inflammation cascade. Immediate effects of inflammation on the skin can cause roughness, tightness, and spots (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation).

The process of continuous low-intensity inflammation, while invisible, damages our skin and will slowly lead to the inevitable signs of aging. It can accelerate fine lines, wrinkles and enlarged pores, as well as puffiness, sagging, blotchiness or reddening of the skin. Conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea are also inflammatory symptoms. While aging, itself, initiates an inflammatory response, exposure to toxic chemicals, sunburns, stress, and denatured foods all add fuel to the fire of inflammation.

On the record, many skin and personal care products contain many of the 10,500 toxic chemical ingredients that have been known to cause inflammation, free radical damage and aging to the skin.¹ Becoming an educated consumer and choosing only the purest products is vital in the unregulated, Wild West world of skincare.

The other major aging villain is dehydration. One of the main characteristics of youthful skin is its ability to naturally retain cellular hydration. As we age, the ability to hold moisture steadily declines.

Cellular dehydration is exacerbated by lack of adequate water intake, chronic stress and aging. The most common indications of dehydration include dryness, flakiness, roughness, irritation, and cracking. These symptoms all add up to the look of prematurely aged skin.

There is an important piece of the hydration story called hyaluronic acid (HA). It is a naturally occurring molecule found in cells throughout our body. However, the greatest concentration of HA is found in skin tissue. Almost 50 percent of the body’s HA is found here. HA occurs in both the deep underlying dermal areas as well as the visible epidermal top layers. Youthful skin is smooth and elastic from the abundant amounts of HA plumping up our skin cells.

As we age, the amount of hyaluronic acid produced by our skin cells begins to decline and cell turnover can become sluggish—this is when those dreaded lines, wrinkles and rough texture tend to make their debut.

So, what is the best solution to combat the two villains of skin aging: inflammation and diminishing levels of hyaluronic acid?

The Two Pieces of the Skin Rejuvenation Puzzle
In order to stop the destructive process of inflammation, a powerful, yet safe, anti-inflammatory solution is needed. Enter, a patented silver molecule called SilverSol®, one of the most effective solutions to safely repair as well as protect the skin from the damaging effects of inflammation. Through a new manufacturing technology, patented under multiple patents, this advanced Nano-silver solution, is the new generation of colloidal silver. It is recognized as the standard by which all other silver products are now measured.

The patented SilverSol® technology from American Biotech Labs is a unique and highly effective form of silver. Throughout the ages and in cultures around the world, silver has been renowned for its anti-microbial effects. Even the famous Greek healer Hippocrates praised silver for its tissue repair and wound healing abilities. Thanks to advanced 21st-century technology, SilverBiotics by American Biotech Labs, is the most powerful as well as the safest safe form of silver ever created.

Why is SilverSol® so important for youthful skin? Clinical studies proved that SilverSol® successfully killed all known forms of bacteria, even MRSA, within minutes.^2,3 The same impressive results were achieved with viruses, yeast, and mold.

But SilverSol® has other important skin benefits besides preventing and healing infections. In addition, it accelerates wound healing, calms inflammation, reduces scarring and promotes stem cell release and activation.⁴

Also, because SilverSol® is so effective against the growth of pathogens, it takes on another important role in skin care products. It is an effective and safe preservative to maintain the purity of a skincare formula.⁵

The addition of the patented SilverSol® technology in an anti-aging facial serum ensures ultimate protection and healing for your face. It offers a unique barrier against microbial infections as well as environmental assaults. At the same time, it gently promotes natural healing of the skin i.e., reducing all signs of inflammation, redness, blemishes and the appearance of scars. The second important piece of the rejuvenation puzzle is Hyaluronic Acid (HA) serum for plumping up dehydrated cells.

As we age, the cells ability to hold moisture drops significantly. That translates into a loss of elasticity and glowing complexion. HA is phenomenal at penetrating the skin's upper layers where it affects tissue repair and protection while boosting elasticity and hydration. Another important feature of HA is its ability to transport nutrients from the blood directly to skin cells. HA has one more important feature, it protects the skin from the free radical damage caused by the sun's UV rays.^6,7,8

Hyaluronic Acid is a real superstar when it comes to rejuvenation. Because it has the unique ability to attract and retain more than 1000 times its weight in water, researchers have seen a significant increase in skin smoothness and wrinkle reduction.

Hyaluronic Acid is essential for youthful skin because it:

• Curbs premature wrinkling
• Keeps collagen synthesis up
• Increases skin hydration
• Locks in moisture
• Boosts skin elasticity
• Enhances collagen production
• Nourishes skin cell growth
• Promotes firm skin tone
• Antioxidant protection

The New SilverBiotics Anti-Aging Facial Serum for Re-Vitalizing Aging Skin

A truly effective skin rejuvenating product needs to protect against the two most age ravaging villains, inflammation, and dehydration.

In the search for a truly effective anti-aging solution, American Biotech Labs formulated the ultimate in skin rejuvenation, called the SilverBiotics Anti-Aging Facial Serum. They combined their patented SilverSol® technology with a super powerful hyaluronic acid combination incorporating two different molecular weights.

This special combination of the two molecular weights ensures that HA is able to reach the deepest layers of the skin while providing hours of intense cellular hydration and softness. The result is a truly rejuvenated you - diminished wrinkles and fine lines, well-hydrated skin, greater skin firmness and reduced skin discoloration.

In addition to a daily regimen, always use the Anti-Aging Facial Serum after any skincare treatment such as laser procedures, chemical peels, waxing, micro needling, or plucking procedures to ensure rapid skin repair and healing.

One of the truly unique features of SilverSol® technology is its proven ability to stimulate stem cell activation. That translates into faster healing and regeneration for more youthful skin.

When choosing a good skincare product, be sure to look for one that contains all natural, non-toxic ingredients. That's why SilverBiotics Anti-Aging Facial Serum is your best choice. It is formulated without parabens, biphenyl A, phthalates, sulfates, alcohol, harsh preservatives or synthetic colors, which are commonly found in so many other skincare products.

The SilverBiotics Anti-Aging Facial Serum is 100 percent pure. It is formulated with only SilverSol® liquid, Hyaluronic Acid, and Organic Vegetable Glycerin.

How to Get the Best Results
For achieving the best results, it is recommended to apply SilverBiotics Anti-Aging Facial Serum twice a day - morning and night. It rapidly absorbs into the skin with a light texture for deep penetrating hydration. It is so gentle that it is safe for all skin types, even the most sensitive skin.

Why Are Women Raving about SilverBiotics Anti-Aging Facial Serum?
This serum is truly remarkable in its ability to deliver on its promises. The many women who have been using this product have been thrilled with the results. Here are two real-life testimonials.

Denise Willoughby from Langley, BC, Canada shares her experience.
"For the past 15 years my husband Dr. Andrew Willoughby has been utilizing the American Biotech Labs' SilverSol® products to achieve remarkable wound healing results on his dental patients, so I am intimately familiar with these products given that I am one of those patients who has benefited.

This super hydrating new Anti-Aging Facial Serum has made my skin noticeably more supple and healthy looking. I would highly recommend this product to any person as part of their daily skin care regimen - it's a fantastic product. I hope I can keep evaluating it for years to come!"

Although Rachel Armel, RN, has only been using the Anti-Aging Facial Serum for a short time, she sent in this testimonial.

"I've only been using the facial serum for about a week and could not be more pleased with the results. I noticed my skin became so much better moisturized and the lines and wrinkles so much less noticeable. I never expected to see results this quickly so I can only imagine how I will look in a few months!

I have tried so many anti-wrinkle/anti-aging products in the last few years and have found them disappointing and over-hyped but this product truly delivers. It's the real deal. LOVE IT!"

An Invitation to More Radiant, Youthful Skin

Turning back the aging process is no longer just wishful thinking. A more youthful appearance is possible for all of us. Nourishing our skin with an organic diet, adequate water intake, plenty of rejuvenating sleep, regular exercise and daily de-stressing strategies are the foundation for healthy skin. And thanks to the innovative SilverBiotics Anti-Aging Facial Serum, it is now possible to heal, repair, rehydrate, and regenerate the skin at the deepest levels at any age.

No matter what your age, Coco Chanel would be happy to know that with SilverBiotics Anti-Aging Facial Serum we can all merit beautiful, radiant skin.

References:

1. Why this matters–Cosmetics and your health https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/2011/04/12/why-this-matters/
2. Ultradilute Ag-aquasols with extraordinary bactericidal properties: role of the system Ag–O–H2O, Material Research Innovations, 2007 Vol 11 No 1.
3. Silver Sol and the Successful Treatment of Hospital Acquired MRSA in Human Subjects with Serious Ongoing Infection. Pedersen, Gordon. (Published in A4M Anti-Aging Therapeutics Vol. 11.)
4. Silver Sol Improves Wound Healing: Case Studies in the Use of Silver Sol in Closing Wounds (Including MRSA), Preventing Infection, Inflammation and Activating Stem Cells, Gordon Pedersen Ph.D. and Keith Moeller http://www.muvezi.org/Pedersen-Silver-Sol-Wound-Healing-MRSA.pdf.
5. A Unique Silver Sol with broad antimicrobial properties. Antimicrobial, Vol, 3, No 11, April 2011 https://www.scribd.com/document/68258370/A-Unique-Silver-Sol-with-Broad-Antimicrobial-Properties
6. Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging. Dermatoendocrinol 2012 Jul 1;4(3): 253–58.
7. Hyaluronic acid, a promising skin rejuvenating biomedicine: A review of recent updates and pre-clinical and clinical investigations on cosmetic and nutricosmetic effect. Int J Biol Macromol. 2018 Dec; 120(Pt B):1682–95. doi: 10.1016/j ijbiomac.2018.09.188. Epub 2018 Oct 1. https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/2011/04/12/why-this-matters/
8. Anti-aging and filling efficacy of six types of hyaluronic acid based dermo cosmetic treatment: double blind, randomized clinical trial of efficacy and safety J Cosmet Dermatol 2014 Dec; 13(4): 277–87.