24 Mar 2020

Thoclor Labs (Pty) Ltd, a South African biotechnology firm, recently launched hypochlorous acid, a skin product which has the formula of the human body’s immune molecule, the body’s natural defence pathogens which kill viruses, bacteria, spores, biofilm and fungi, but leaving the micro biome alone.

Co-founder and managing director of Thoclor Labs, Mr Stuart Russell said the product offered the potential for the treatment of burns and chronic wounds, eye and other infections.

He added that it acted as a possible treatment for Crohn’s, Alzheimer’s and IBS, amongst others. He noted that hypochlorous was a powerful disinfectant, anti-inflammatory and tissue healing solution that has incredible results in the aesthetics industry.

Mr Russell explained that hypochlorous acid also acted as a disinfectant, destroying disease-forming bacteria, viruses and fungi whilst leaving the skin’s healthy microbiome unharmed.

The effect on drug resistant microbes, he said,  was a game changer, healing wounds in a fraction of the time as well as reducing the associated pain and inflammation.

He said Thoclor Labs launched its range of products in Johannesburg, South Africa, in June 2018, adding that it now had products for the beauty and cosmetic industry, which contained pure hypochlorous acid. “The company has gone from strength to strength and is excited to share its miracle mist with Botswana, Mr Russell said.

He said through a recent study by Stanford University in the United States of America, the company concluded that the only substance that effectively reversed the effects of environmental damage was the regular topical application of hypochlorous acid.

He said the product came in two ranges Thoclor GF skin products, which were developed by Thoclor Labs, backed by extensive research. He said the ranges that would be distributed in Gaborone included two formulations, the GF1 aftercare, used before and after invasive aesthetic treatment of the face and GF2 skin rejuvenation, a daily used product that effectively stops ageing caused by sub-clinical inflammation in the skin due to environmental factors.

He said Thoclor’s GF2 would also benefit those suffering from rosacea, acne and superficial skin infections, while also being perfect for sunburn and fever blisters. He said hypochlorous acid was safe and that it carried the highest FDA certification for safety and could even be sprayed directly into the eyes and would not irritate or burn them.

Welcoming guests, director of Aesthetic Inclines, the distributor of Thoclor Labs products in Botswana, Ms Tsholofelo Seitshiro vouched for the products, saying they were the answer to her struggle with pimples and breakouts that led to scarring and uneven skin tone.

Meanwhile, Botswana Medical Regulatory Authority (BOMRA), an institution that ensures that all medicines and related substances used in Botswana are in conformity with established criteria for quality, safety and efficacy, indicated that it was developing requirements for the regulation of cosmetics.

The authority’s Mr Israel Kgosidiile said the regulation of cosmetics has not yet effected, adding that BOMRA was also surveying the market to compile information on the cosmetics that were already on the market. He said once they knew which products were on the market, they would contact their manufacturers to initiate the registration process.

Mr Kgosidiile said BOMRA did test all products on a risk-based approach following a post market surveillance plan.

“This is a risk-based plan developed to target high risk products on the market. The plan will also assist the country to have a baseline with regards to level of counterfeits products on the market. Initially the plan will cover conventional (therapeutic) human medicines and it will be rolled out to other products such as cosmetics base on the available resources and need,” he said.

Asked about investigations BOMRA has undertaken to assure Batswana that the cosmetic products they use were safe, Mr Kgosidiile emphasised that there was currently no assessment being done on cosmetics.

He however said BOMRA had a pharmacovigilance system in place where quality and safety reports of all products on the market could be reported, adding that BOMRA would also like to remind manufacturers, applicants and importers of their responsibility to ensure that their products meet established standards. He said cosmetics that were already on the market, but did not meet the standards would be removed as “we roll out our regulation process for cosmetics”. The new cosmetics that would come after the market survey would be required to be registered first before their marketing, he added. ENDs