How does Pro-Niacin™ assist in improving atopic skin?

Pro-Niacin™ has been clinically proven to strengthen the skin barrier through increasing the content of NAD within the skin cells and generating the growth and maturation of healthy skin cells from the inside-out. A stronger skin barrier improves atopic skin by providing better protection against environmental toxins, bacteria, etc. from aggravating the living skin cells beneath.
 

Can I layer the Sun Damage Prevention 100% Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 with the Skin Strengthening Complex and if so, which product should I use first?
Yes, NIA 24™ products can be layered. Apply the Skin Strengthening Complex first, followed by the Sun Damage Prevention 100% Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 to ensure that the sunscreen benefits are not diluted. Allow several minutes for the SPF 30 to be absorbed prior to make-up application.

By layering the Skin Strengthening Complex along with the Sun Damage Prevention 100% Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30, will I be getting too much Pro-Niacin™, the active ingredient?
No. The extensive clinical and safety testing conducted on the Pro-Niacin™ molecule and NIA 24™ products have shown no unexpected side effects or reactions. Instead, clinical studies have shown dramatic improvements in skin health with use of the NIA 24™ products.

Can I use an additional moisturizer with the NIA 24™ products? If so, which should I use first?
Yes. While the Skin Strengthening Complex is an excellent moisturizer, some individuals may require more intensive moisturization. Apply the Skin Strengthening Complex first to ensure maximum efficacy of the Pro-Niacin™ molecule, then follow with your desired moisturizer.

Are NIA 24™ products compatible with most foundations?
Yes. Apply the Skin Strengthening Complex and/or Sun Damage Prevention 100% Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 first and allow several minutes for the products to absorb prior to make-up application.

Can I use the NIA 24™ products for other areas of the body?
Yes. NIA 24™ products are ideal for use on areas of the face, neck, chest and hands.

Can the NIA 24™ products be used around the eye (orbital) area?
Yes. Application of the Skin Strengthening Complex and Sun Damage Prevention 100% Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 can be extended to the orbital bone while the Gentle Cleansing Cream can be used to remove eye make-up. However, as with all products, avoid direct eye contact.

Which NIA 24™ products can I use if I have dry skin?
All NIA 24™ Skin Therapy products can be used with dry skin. In fact, the Physical Cleansing Scrub is a physical scrub that can be less irritating than chemical exfoliants to dry skin that is red and irritated. Furthermore, the natural sunscreens in the Sun Damage Prevention 100% Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 are also known to be less irritating than chemical sunscreens to dry skin.

Will the NIA 24™ products cause dryness?
The skin barrier’s ability to retain moisture and resist damage can make the surface of the skin feel dry. To limit the effects of dryness, use a humectant or additional moisturizer to help hold water on top of the skin, applying the NIA 24™ products first.

Are the NIA 24™ products suitable for sensitive skin?
Yes. NIA 24™ products do not contain added fragrances, colors or dyes which can be potential irritants. The Sun Damage Prevention 100% Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 is also oil and PABA-free and is a physical sunscreen which causes less irritation than chemical sunscreens to sensitive skin.

Can I use the NIA 24™ products if I have oily skin?
Yes. You may find that strengthening the skin barrier with the NIA 24™ products may help to control oil production. Each product also has additional individual benefits for oily skin. The Gentle Cleansing Cream and the Physical Cleansing Scrub help remove dead skin cells that can clog pores and create blemishes. The Skin Strengthening Complex helps moisturize and nourish the skin, as even oily skin needs hydration or moisturization. The Sun Damage Prevention 100% Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 is an oil-free formula that provides natural sunscreen protection from harmful UVA/UVB rays.

Will the NIA 24™ products clog pores and/or aggravate acne?
No. The NIA 24™ products were tested and found to be non-comedogenic, which as stated by the FDA, means that the products do not contain common pore-clogging ingredients that could lead to acne.

Will the NIA 24™ products cause my skin to break out?
NIA 24™ products are non-comedogenic; however, increased NAD within the skin cells can initially cause excess sebum production in some individuals. To limit the effects of a breakout, consider an introductory regimen of NIA 24™ as described in Section 5, the Treatment Protocols section.

Will the NIA 24™ products help with acne/blemished skin?
No. The NIA 24™ products are not intended as acne treatment products. However, with promotion of a healthier, stronger skin barrier, bacteria cannot invade as easily and blemishes aggravated by bacteria can be improved (clinical trials not yet conducted on anti-bacterial effects).

Will the NIA 24™ products cause blushing or redness?
In some individuals, applying the NIA 24™ products to the skin may initially create a warm sensation that can accelerate into mild blushing or even red, itchy skin. If this happens, apply a cold compress to soothe the skin. The redness and itchiness should subside within several hours. To limit the effects of a first blush, consider an introductory regimen of NIA 24™ as described in the Treatment Protocols section.

Will the NIA 24™ products help remove brown spots?
Yes. Clinical trials have demonstrated that the Pro-Niacin™ molecule helps to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation.

Can I use the NIA 24™ products while pregnant or breastfeeding?
Although the products have been tested rigorously for safety, use of the NIA 24™ products during pregnancy or while breastfeeding is left to the discretion of your physician.

What is the shelf life of the NIA 24™ products?
The shelf life of the Gentle Cleansing Cream, Physical Cleansing Scrub and Skin Strengthening Complex is 3 years. The shelf life of the Physical Cleansing Scrub and the Skin Strengthening Complex is 3 years. The Sun Damage Prevention 100% Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 has a 2-year expiration date because of its classification as an over-the-counter (OTC) drug.

Can I use the NIA 24™ products in conjunction with ultrasound?
Because of the chemical structure of the Pro-Niacin™ molecule, a continuous delivery system of Niacin to the skin is already built in - allowing penetration of the molecule through the epidermis at a slow, continuous rate that is optimal for avoiding vasodilation and providing a continuous supply of NAD to living skin cells below. Therefore, ultrasound is not needed to provide better penetration of the Pro-Niacin™ molecule. Use of ultrasound with the NIA 24™ products could result in faster residence times and hyperabsorption of the Pro-Niacin™ molecule and result in vasodilation or skin irritation and therefore, is not recommended.

Can you use the NIA 24™ products if you are using chemotherapy or radiation?
Clinical studies have not been conducted on patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation while using the NIA 24™ products. Patients undergoing such treatments are recommended to refer to their oncologists/physicians prior to using the NIA 24™ products.

Can you use NIA 24™ with open wounds?
NIA 24™ products are topical skin care products to be used once a patient has started the healing process and are not to be ingested or used on open wounds. Release of leptin has been shown to improve wound healing but studies conducted on NIA 24™ products and actual wound healing have not been conducted.

Can the NIA 24™ products be used with tretinoins such as Retin A®/Renova®?
Yes. Patients have seen successful results using the NIA 24™ products in combination with tretinoins and have found that the efficacy of the NIA 24™ products enables them to reduce the dosage of the prescription drug, while still achieving the same result and minimizing irritation. Apply the NIA 24™ products after application of the tretinoin therapy at night and the NIA 24™ products alone in the morning to ensure 24-hour delivery of the Pro-Niacin™ molecule.

Can the NIA 24™ products be used with hydroquinones?
Yes. Patients have seen successful results using NIA 24 ™ in combination with hydroquinone. However, because of the efficient penetration properties of the Pro-Niacin™ molecule and especially if only spot-treating with hydroquinone, apply the NIA 24™ products first, waiting several minutes prior to applying hydroquinone to ensure maximum efficacy of the Pro-Niacin™ molecule and to avoid irritation.

Can the NIA 24™ products be used with Lipitor® or other statin drugs?
There are no known drug interactions between Niacin and statins. The FDA has approved a regime that includes combining Niaspan® (Niacin extended-release tablets), indicated for the treatment of cholesterol, and Lovistatin (a generic cholesterol lowering drug) which are both oral medications. Using the NIA 24™ products should therefore, be safe.

If an individual experiences flushing, this may be due to a weak stratum corneum, rather than a drug interaction. In this case, it is recommended that you gradually introduce the NIA 24™ products to your daily skin care regimen over the course of 10 days and this should relieve the problem.
 

Lipitor® is a registered trademark of Pfizer, Inc., Niaspan® is a registered trademark of Kos Pharmaceuticals.
 

Do the NIA 24™ products contain antioxidants?
Yes. In addition to the powerful antioxidant benefits of Pro-Niacin™, the Skin Strengthening Complex also contains Wheat Germ Oil, Retinyl Palmitate, Green Tea and Rosemary extracts. The Sun Damage Prevention 100% Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 and Physical Cleansing Scrub both contain Vitamin E.

Can Vitamin C serums be used with the NIA 24™ products?
Yes. You can layer a Vitamin C serum underneath the Skin Strengthening Complex or Sun Damage Prevention 100% Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 because of the consistency of serums versus moisturizers and creams. However, when using NIA 24™ products in conjunction with other non-prescribed products, NIA 24™ products should be applied first because of their very efficient penetration properties and to ensure maximum efficacy.

Can you benefit from using only one of the NIA 24™ products? If so, which should you use?
The NIA 24™ products are multi-functional, providing specific benefits from each product. Thus, a combination is best. However, all products contain the Pro-Niacin™ molecule and delivery of this molecule is the primary benefit of all of the NIA 24™ products. If an individual is only interested in purchasing one product, the Skin Strengthening Complex is recommended because it is a leave-on treatment that contains 5% of the Pro-Niacin™ molecule and can be used twice daily.

If the NIA 24™ products increase the skin barrier, does this mean that my skin will appear thicker?
Increasing the skin barrier means that the very thin layer of skin cells on the top of the skin are increased, but the difference in skin barrier thickness will not be visible to the eye. An enhanced barrier means better skin structure, which will produce a positive visible difference in the texture and tone of the skin.

Do any of the NIA 24™ products contain mineral oil or petroleum?
No. None of the NIA 24™ products contains mineral oil or petroleum.

What are the pH levels of the NIA 24™ products?
Gentle Cleansing Cream: 6.0 – 7.0
Physical Cleansing Scrub: 6.0 – 6.6
Skin Strengthening Complex: 6.0 – 7.0
Sun Damage Prevention 100% Mineral Sunscreen: Not Applicable

Why are the NIA 24™ products fragrance, color and dye free?
Many customers feel that fragrance, color and dye additives are unnecessary ingredients and can irritate the skin. Thus, the NIA 24™ products do not contain added colors, fragrances or dyes.

What are the benefits of “fragrance free” products?
Many customers feel that added fragrance can irritate skin; therefore, NIA 24™ products contain no added fragrance. The slight aroma that you may detect in the products is the natural aroma of the ingredients themselves.

What does “non-comedogenic” mean?
Non-comedogenic means that the product does not block pores or induce skin breakout causing white heads and/or black heads. Each of the NIA 24™ products has been tested and was found to be non-comedogenic.

What is the difference between the "chemical" and "physical" applications?
NIA 24™ offers both a physical scrub and a physical sunscreen. In a physical scrub, exfoliation is achieved through some type of particle (walnut shells, apricot pits, etc.) They allow you to control the degree of exfoliation based on manual manipulation, therefore, tend to be less irritating and drying.

Can an individual take the NIA 24™ products if they have an allergy to nuts?
The Physical Cleansing Scrub contains Macadamia Seed Oil.

The Skin Strengthening Complex contains Walnut Seed Extract.

The Gentle Cleansing Cream and 100% Mineral Sunscreen do not contain any nuts.

Individuals with an allergy to nuts may experience an adverse reaction to either of these products; therefore, it is recommended to consult their physician prior to use.

What does “allergy tested” mean?
All NIA 24™ Skin Therapy products have been tested on humans in a controlled laboratory study under exaggerated circumstances to confirm their safety. In formulating the NIA 24™ products, no ingredients known to cause allergic reactions were used.

When can I expect to see results from using the NIA 24™ products?
Improvements in tone, texture and brightness can usually be seen within the first several weeks, though individual results may vary. Depending on the degree of sun damage, improvements in sun damage and hyperpigmentation can take up to six months.

Does the Niacin in the NIA 24™ products affect the Niacin that I am taking in a multi-vitamin or B complex vitamin?
The bioavailability and metabolic pathways are different for vitamins which are applied topically versus those administered orally. Because the NIA 24™ products are topically applied, the absorption of Pro-Niacin™ into the cells is localized primarily to the skin. In addition, there should be no concern about Niacin toxicity because Niacin is water-soluble and doses found in multi-vitamins or in B-complex are typically low.

Is it safe to use the NIA 24™ products while undergoing Intense Pulse Light (IPL) treatment?
Yes. It is safe to use the NIA 24™ products both before and after IPL treatment. Pre-treatment usage is best 30 days prior to IPL but any amount of usage will provide benefit. Post-treatment protocol recommends abstaining from use of the Physical Cleansing Scrub for 2-3 weeks as the skin barrier can become quite compromised during IPL treatment. A clinical study examining this combination was completed in January 2006 and will be available for review on the NIA 24™ website in 2007.

Are NIA 24™ products suitable for people with Rosacea?
Yes. While no clinical trials have been published using NIA 24™ products to treat Rosacea, individuals with Rosacea have reported reduced redness with use of the NIA 24™ products.

 

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