Indigo cream contains a natural plant extract called Indigo could be the latest weapon in fighting the chronic skin condition psoriasis, according to new research.

Psoriasis is a recurrent skin condition that affects around 2% of  the UK population.

Psoriasis is caused by an acceleration of skin cell production. Normally a skin cell matures in 21-28 days. Psoriatic cells, however, turn over in 2-3 days and in such profusion that the live cells reach the surface and accumulate with the dead cells still in visible layers (plaques).

The condition manifests itself as raised red patches of skin covered with silvery scales. It can occur on any part of the body although elbows, knees and the scalp are usual sites.

What is our new Indigo Cream?

Indigo naturalis is a plant that is the source of a dark blue dye. The extract has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of psoriasis. Indigo Cream contains the powdered extract of Indigo and is an odourless and colourless skin cream for use on psoriasis.

What's the evidence that Indigo Cream works?

A study* using indigo cream was carried out on psoriasis patients over a 12-week period. After treatment, the plaques treated with indigo cream showed significant improvement in scaling, erythema (redness) and induration (hardening) when compared with the plaques treated with non-medicated ointment, and the skin treated with the indigo cream shoed on average an 81% improvement compared to the non-treated skin, while in 74% of patients reported that their plaques were almost or completely cleared after 12-weeks of treatment with Indigo cream.

Dr. Yin-Ku Lin of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taoyuan, Taiwan, and colleagues report "significant reductions" in scores of scaling, rash, and induration with indigo naturalis ointment.

The scientists concludued that Indigo naturalis ointment treatment has neither adverse effects, such as those found with corticosteroid treatment, nor other toxic effects based on five years of clinical observation. Furthermore, it costs much less in comparison with other topical agents.

The study reccomended that Indigoointment can be an effective alternative or complementary therapy for psoriasis.

How quickly does Indigo Cream work?

Our Skin Shop customer with psoriasis and tester found that after four weeks using Indigo Cream, plaques had reduced by about 20%, after eight weeks plaques had reduced by 40% and redness by 30%, after 12 weeks plaques had reduced by 70-80%, redness by 50-60%. Skin was significantly much softer and less dry.

 

 

Indigo Skin Repair Cream is available  from Skin Shop and costs £14.95 (150ml). Click here for more details.

* Lin et al. Clinical Assessment of Patients With Recalcitrant Psoriasis in a Randomized, Observer-Blind, Vehicle-Controlled Trial Using Indigo Naturalis. Archives of Dermatology, 2008; 144 (11):