Tom Branna, Editorial Director02.01.16
Building a tree house, sanding a pinewood derby car, maybe fixing up an old jalopy; when it comes to father-and-son projects there are certainly plenty to choose from—but developing skin care formulas together? That’s probably not too high on the list of “things-to-do-with-dear-old-dad.”
And yet, that’s exactly what happened when Steven Q. Wang MD teamed up with his father Gui T. Wang, a licensed acupuncturist, to create Dr. Wang Herbal Skincare. The two-SKU line includes Eczema Ointment Natural Repair and Psoriasis Ointment Natural Repair.
Dr. Wang, a well-known dermatologist at Memorial Sloan-Kettering, has conducted research on skin for years. He noted that many patients complain of itching but eschew the use of steroids, preferring an effective skin care cream rather than a topical pharmaceutical formula. Four years ago, he showed his father a scientific publication that detailed the use of Chinese herbs to successfully treat psoriatic patients who had been let down by a number of conventional Western medical treatments.
“This is not a new treatment,” his father replied. “We used those same herbs when I was practicing in China.”
With that, the father-and-son team embarked on a full-scale research project. At first, the pair reviewed worldwide medical and scientific literature to find suitable herbs with appropriate healing properties. Next, they experimented with those herbs in the lab and, after 18 months of research, the Wangs realized they had created effective formulas. For Dr. Wang, it sparked a new avenue of creativity.
“I like the science and the commercial aspect is refreshing,” explained Dr. Wang. “I am learning about the nitty-gritty of the industry and it opened another door of research.”
Both products contain a cocktail of herbs that have a complementary effect, something that is often overlooked in conventional medicine. According to Dr. Wang, in Western cultures the search is always on finding a magic bullet; that is, a single ingredient, to get the right effect.
“But in my work with antioxidants, I learned that single magic bullets are rare,” explained Dr. Wang. “Nature works in a complementary fashion.”
Too often, the industry is focused on a particular ingredient of the moment, whether it be hyaluronic acid or resveratrol. He noted, for example, that vitamin C is water-soluble, while vitamin E is oil-soluble.
“They need each other,” he insisted. “One molecule complements the other.”
In the West, explained Dr. Wang, there is always an emphasis on isolation, especially when it comes to drug development.
“But treating chronic diseases requires a multifaceted approach,” he insisted; one that takes into account lifestyle and diet, as well as treatment.
Stop That Itch!
The Dr. Wang Herbal Skincare formulas relieve a variety of skin maladies. What surprised Dr. Wang the most was how well the formulas controlled itching sensations. In one test, researchers looked at 14 subjects; three with “bug bites,” four with psoriasis and seven with eczema. All subjects were asked to rate their level of itch on a scale of 1-10, with most describing their itch as a 7 or 8. Researchers applied the cream and after a brief waiting period, asked subjects how they felt. Subjects reported a significant reduction in itch. Those who described their itch as an 8, reported a 4; while those who complained of a 7 reported a three. The relief lasted two hours on average.
“I am in talks with the National Institutes of Health about herbs to see how they can be used to treat diseases,” said Dr. Wang. “Itch is an active area of research.”
He noted, for example, that older patients who suffer from renal failure often complain of itch. Renal itch (Uraemic pruritus) is localized or generalized itch, affecting patients with chronic renal failure, where there is no primary skin disease and no systemic or psychological dysfunction that might cause pruritus, according to experts. Furthermore, there is little evidence of a major role for histamine and antihistamines are rarely beneficial, according to authors of a paper on renal itch, which was published in Clinical and Experimental Dermatology (May 2000). The authors noted that the prevalence of renal itch has increased with the growing population in chronic renal failure and is a considerable cause of morbidity. They noted, too, that treatment of renal itch is difficult. But now, with the launch of Dr. Wang Herbal Skincare, the father and son team thinks it can reduce the discomfort of itching.
“Some of the Chinese herbs shut down the anti-inflammatory pathways or ‘dampens the heat,’ as my dad would say,” explained Dr. Wang. “It has been a fruitful collaboration.”
It’s also a collaboration that could prove a relief to anyone suffering from the discomfort of chronic itching. According to Dr. Wang, the eczema ointment is very effective in controlling itch, scaling is reduced and the barrier is rebuilt and, once rebuilt, itch is reduced.
After handing out samples to his father’s clients who came back again and again for more, the Wangs realized that they had something, but finding the right manufacturing partner turned out to be more arduous than any lab work.
“It was a painful process to find a contract manufacturer and packager,” Dr. Wang recalled, who explained that he was able to alleviate some of that pain by searching Happi’s Contract Manufacturing & Private Label Directory.
Ultimately, the Wangs found a manufacturing partner to produce the psoriasis and eczema formulas on a larger scale. Dr. Wang Herbal Skincare is available online at www.drwangskincare.com and are also available in select dermatologists’ offices. Talks with a distributor are underway and Dr. Wang is mulling a request from a naturopathic doctor to carry his line.
At the same time, he’s trying to get a better understanding of social media—no easy task for a dermatologist who doesn’t even have his own Facebook account.
“It is amazing to me that people find us and buy our product,” said Dr. Wang modestly. “Last night, someone bought our product at 11:50pm!”
Those kinds of moments are sure to keep the Wangs optimistic and up late checking their website!
And yet, that’s exactly what happened when Steven Q. Wang MD teamed up with his father Gui T. Wang, a licensed acupuncturist, to create Dr. Wang Herbal Skincare. The two-SKU line includes Eczema Ointment Natural Repair and Psoriasis Ointment Natural Repair.
Dr. Wang, a well-known dermatologist at Memorial Sloan-Kettering, has conducted research on skin for years. He noted that many patients complain of itching but eschew the use of steroids, preferring an effective skin care cream rather than a topical pharmaceutical formula. Four years ago, he showed his father a scientific publication that detailed the use of Chinese herbs to successfully treat psoriatic patients who had been let down by a number of conventional Western medical treatments.
“This is not a new treatment,” his father replied. “We used those same herbs when I was practicing in China.”
With that, the father-and-son team embarked on a full-scale research project. At first, the pair reviewed worldwide medical and scientific literature to find suitable herbs with appropriate healing properties. Next, they experimented with those herbs in the lab and, after 18 months of research, the Wangs realized they had created effective formulas. For Dr. Wang, it sparked a new avenue of creativity.
“I like the science and the commercial aspect is refreshing,” explained Dr. Wang. “I am learning about the nitty-gritty of the industry and it opened another door of research.”
Both products contain a cocktail of herbs that have a complementary effect, something that is often overlooked in conventional medicine. According to Dr. Wang, in Western cultures the search is always on finding a magic bullet; that is, a single ingredient, to get the right effect.
“But in my work with antioxidants, I learned that single magic bullets are rare,” explained Dr. Wang. “Nature works in a complementary fashion.”
Too often, the industry is focused on a particular ingredient of the moment, whether it be hyaluronic acid or resveratrol. He noted, for example, that vitamin C is water-soluble, while vitamin E is oil-soluble.
“They need each other,” he insisted. “One molecule complements the other.”
In the West, explained Dr. Wang, there is always an emphasis on isolation, especially when it comes to drug development.
“But treating chronic diseases requires a multifaceted approach,” he insisted; one that takes into account lifestyle and diet, as well as treatment.
Stop That Itch!
The Dr. Wang Herbal Skincare formulas relieve a variety of skin maladies. What surprised Dr. Wang the most was how well the formulas controlled itching sensations. In one test, researchers looked at 14 subjects; three with “bug bites,” four with psoriasis and seven with eczema. All subjects were asked to rate their level of itch on a scale of 1-10, with most describing their itch as a 7 or 8. Researchers applied the cream and after a brief waiting period, asked subjects how they felt. Subjects reported a significant reduction in itch. Those who described their itch as an 8, reported a 4; while those who complained of a 7 reported a three. The relief lasted two hours on average.
“I am in talks with the National Institutes of Health about herbs to see how they can be used to treat diseases,” said Dr. Wang. “Itch is an active area of research.”
He noted, for example, that older patients who suffer from renal failure often complain of itch. Renal itch (Uraemic pruritus) is localized or generalized itch, affecting patients with chronic renal failure, where there is no primary skin disease and no systemic or psychological dysfunction that might cause pruritus, according to experts. Furthermore, there is little evidence of a major role for histamine and antihistamines are rarely beneficial, according to authors of a paper on renal itch, which was published in Clinical and Experimental Dermatology (May 2000). The authors noted that the prevalence of renal itch has increased with the growing population in chronic renal failure and is a considerable cause of morbidity. They noted, too, that treatment of renal itch is difficult. But now, with the launch of Dr. Wang Herbal Skincare, the father and son team thinks it can reduce the discomfort of itching.
“Some of the Chinese herbs shut down the anti-inflammatory pathways or ‘dampens the heat,’ as my dad would say,” explained Dr. Wang. “It has been a fruitful collaboration.”
It’s also a collaboration that could prove a relief to anyone suffering from the discomfort of chronic itching. According to Dr. Wang, the eczema ointment is very effective in controlling itch, scaling is reduced and the barrier is rebuilt and, once rebuilt, itch is reduced.
After handing out samples to his father’s clients who came back again and again for more, the Wangs realized that they had something, but finding the right manufacturing partner turned out to be more arduous than any lab work.
“It was a painful process to find a contract manufacturer and packager,” Dr. Wang recalled, who explained that he was able to alleviate some of that pain by searching Happi’s Contract Manufacturing & Private Label Directory.
Ultimately, the Wangs found a manufacturing partner to produce the psoriasis and eczema formulas on a larger scale. Dr. Wang Herbal Skincare is available online at www.drwangskincare.com and are also available in select dermatologists’ offices. Talks with a distributor are underway and Dr. Wang is mulling a request from a naturopathic doctor to carry his line.
At the same time, he’s trying to get a better understanding of social media—no easy task for a dermatologist who doesn’t even have his own Facebook account.
“It is amazing to me that people find us and buy our product,” said Dr. Wang modestly. “Last night, someone bought our product at 11:50pm!”
Those kinds of moments are sure to keep the Wangs optimistic and up late checking their website!