Dark spots, including melasma and solar lentigines, affect people of different ages and are often treated with over-the-counter herbal or natural products. This study examined four herbal or natural remedies: apple cider vinegar, dandelion root extract, ricinoleic acid in castor oil, and vitamins C and E, and evaluated first year pharmacy students’ knowledge and opinions of these remedies. Although these products are commonly marketed for skin lightening and dark spot reduction, scientific evidence supporting their use, especially for dandelion root extract, ricinoleic acid, and apple cider vinegar, remains limited. Methods: A survey with five knowledge based and five opinion-based questions was administered to 40 participants. Resutls: The sample was predominantly female (75%) and young, with 90% between 18 and 30 years of age. More than half of participants (55%) were from the DMV area before entering the Howard University College of Pharmacy program, and 65% had three or more years of paid work experience. The results from the knowledge-based questions showed a 64.5 percent correct answer rate, with most participants correctly identifying solar lentigo as another name for age spots and recognizing the potential role of vitamins C and E in reducing hyperpigmentation. Opinion based responses showed a skeptical attitude toward herbal remedies, with most participants disagreeing with claims about dandelion root extract, apple cider vinegar, and ricinoleic acid. Conclusion: These findings suggest that pharmacy students are generally cautious about natural remedies for dark spots, consistent with the current evidence base and the need for continued education on evidence-based counseling for hyperpigmentation.
Lomotey et al. (Fri,) studied this question.