Evaluation of skin sebum and moisture levels in statin users

Aim: The intercellular lipids of the stratum corneum, are predominantly composed of cholesterol, ceramides and fatty acids. Changes in this lipid composition may cause xerosis and related side effects by altering the sebum and moisture balance in the skin. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of statins, which inhibit cholesterol synthesis, on skin moisture and sebum levels. Materials and Methods: In this prospective study, a total of 45 patients with hypercholesterolemia admitted to the outpatient clinic of the Department of Cardiology, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty were included. Skin sebum and moisture levels of all patients were measured non-invasively at baseline and at 3 and 6 months after treatment. Results: After statin treatment, the mean skin sebum levels at the 3rd and 6th months were statistically significantly lower compared to pretreatment, and the mean skin sebum level at the 6th month after treatment was significantly lower compared to the 3rd month. When we classified the patients as dry, normal and oily according to sebum values, there was no statistically significant change in sebum levels at the 3rd and 6th month after treatment compared to pretreatment and no statistically significant change in sebum levels at the 6th month after treatment compared to the 3rd month. The mean humidity levels at 3 and 6 months post-treatment were statistically significantly lower compared to pretreatment, and the mean humidity level at 6 months post-treatment was significantly lower compared to 3 months post-treatment. When we classified the patients as very dehydrated, dehydrated and normal according to the humidity values, there was no statistically significant change in the humidity levels at the 3rd and 6th months after treatment compared to the pretreatment and no statistically significant change in the humidity level at the 6th month after treatment compared to the 3rd month. Conclusion: In our study, although sebum and moisture values decreased significantly in patients using statins compared to baseline, this decrease was not found to be significant when we classified the patients according to sebum and moisture values.