There are many bacteria constantly living on our skin. They do not harm us until the sebaceous glands begin to produce too much oil, thereby creating a favorable environment for the growth of bacteria.
Excess sebum mixes with dead skin cells. The pores become clogged and blackheads appear.
Bacteria cause inflammation in this area, and a pimple appears. Differin for acne will help remove excess sebum, eliminate redness and inflammation.
What kind of drug is this?
The product is available in the form of a cream or gel. The gel is absorbed into the skin faster and is therefore considered lighter and is better used for oily skin. The cream is more suitable for dry skin.
Despite the fact that the drug is sold in pharmacies without a doctor’s prescription, consultation with a specialist is necessary before using it..
Gel and cream, which is intended to treat acne, is often used to combat wrinkles and other age-related changes.
Since the drug contains not retinoic acid itself, but its analogue, an increase in photosensitivity is excluded, so Differin can be used at any time of the day.
Differin can also be used as a peeling . It contains non-toxic alkali, therefore, with the help of the drug you can get rid of dead epithelial cells.
Differin has approximately the same effect as an anti-aging serum, and with regular use, even deep skin lesions are reduced, the complexion is refreshed, the tone is evened out, and age spots are lightened.
Pharmacokinetics
The medication has low absorption capacity. According to clinical studies, with daily use of the cream at a concentration of 0.1%, the level of substances in the body was found in minimal quantities. Metabolites are excreted primarily by the liver.
Clinical studies on animals have confirmed the minimal risk of oncogenicity of the drug when interacting with ultraviolet irradiation or sunlight. No genotoxic effects or mutagenic properties of the cream were detected. Also, the drug does not have a negative effect on the reproductive system.
Is it effective in treating wrinkles?
The effectiveness of Differin against wrinkles is due to the following pharmacological properties of the drug:
- Exfoliating effect - dead skin cells are eliminated, resulting in an even and brighter overall skin tone.
- Penetrating into the epidermis, the active substance of the drug stimulates its own collagen production, which leads to increased skin elasticity and smooth out wrinkles.
Expert opinion
Shustova Olga Leonidovna
Obstetrician-gynecologist of the highest category
Currently, interest in various anti-aging injections has subsided, this is due to the fact that these procedures are quite expensive, can lead to various complications, and also give the face a mask-like appearance. More and more women are trying to combat age-related changes using affordable and relatively safe means. One of these is Differin. This acne remedy also has a beneficial effect on aging skin, it effectively smoothes out wrinkles and restores lost tone to the skin. However, despite a lot of positive reviews, and the manufacturers’ assurances that the drug can be used for any skin type, a consultation with a cosmetologist would not hurt.
Pharmacology
Doctors admit that the effects of Adapalene have not been fully studied. Clinical studies have shown that topical application stimulates proper keratinization (keratinization) and differentiation of follicular epithelial cells. Failures in these processes lead to inflammation, acne formation and clogged pores. The result of stimulation is the alignment of keratin production and deposition, causing the upper layers of the skin to become more elastic. This feature allows you to use Adapalene gel or cream against wrinkles.
In fact, the active component of the cream is an artificial analogue of vitamin A. But the principle of its effect is radically different. The substance interacts with tretinoin receptors, but does not come into contact with the proteins that bind it. This selectivity does not allow keratonocytes to adhere to the follicles, which promotes rapid exfoliation of the stratum corneum and skin regeneration.
Like any other anti-aging cosmetic product for external use, Adapalene can only affect shallow wrinkles. In other cases, it is recommended to resort to more radical methods.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of Differin are:
- availability;
- Possibility of use at home at any convenient time;
- lasting results in eliminating small and medium wrinkles;
- significant reduction in the depth of deep wrinkles;
- prevention of wrinkles;
- smoothing scars;
- acne treatment;
- skin lightening.
The disadvantages of the drug are:
- insufficient clinical trial base;
- possible drying of the skin;
- frequent occurrence of allergic reactions;
- itching and redness of the skin.
If any undesirable effects occur, use of Differin should be stopped immediately and, if necessary, consult a doctor..
Directions for use and dosage
The average course of therapy is 3 months. Adapalene gel or cream is applied once a day, at night.
Before applying the drug, the skin is prepared using gentle cosmetics. Before applying the drug, the skin is allowed to “rest” for 10-15 minutes. Then the product is applied. If possible, the cream is applied pointwise. For multiple rashes, apply to the entire surface of the skin without rubbing. Used to treat all areas of the body with acne.
If necessary, Adapalene is prescribed in combination with clindamycin and other drugs for external and oral use.
Manifested by increased side effects. The process is reversible after drug withdrawal.
If the daily dose specified in the instructions is exceeded, various allergic manifestations may occur in the form of redness, itching, rashes, and peeling. Accidental ingestion of the product may result in the same reactions as oral administration of vitamin A.
If signs of overdose develop, it is recommended to stop taking the medication and consult your doctor. Symptomatic therapy may be prescribed.
Operating principle
The main effect of Differin cream or gel is the reduction of skin rashes, and smoothing wrinkles and reducing negative recurrent skin changes is a pleasant bonus.
The action of Differin is as follows:
- sebostatic;
- comedolytic;
- anti-comedogenic;
- anti-inflammatory.
Differin slows down the process of sebum production and unclogs pores . This improves the supply of oxygen to the skin and significantly facilitates the removal of toxic substances from the deep layers of the dermis.
NOTE!
In addition, Differin inhibits the action of enzymes that are involved in the production of components that contribute to inflammatory processes.
And also adapalene, which is part of the product, pushes the body to produce collagen, the deficiency of which manifests itself in sagging skin and wrinkles.
How the drug works
The effect of the drug is based, first of all, on eliminating the source of blockage in the pores of the sebaceous glands located on the skin, as well as those causes that contribute to inflammation.
The effectiveness of the product is due to the following points:
- In the presence of purulent contents, the active components of the ointment allow you to quickly cleanse the contents of the eel. The pus-filled blister dries out and inflammation decreases.
- Bacteria and staphylococci appear in an inflamed pimple. The components of differin have a destructive effect on them. The number of pathogenic organisms decreases and inflammation subsides.
- During inflammation, the synthesis of prostaglandins begins. The ointment blocks this process, and suppuration stops.
- The components of the ointment activate the vital activity of mitochondria and contribute to their increase in size. This improves skin regeneration at the site of pimple formation, the wound heals and no scars remain.
Quickly getting rid of acne and purulent pimples and maintaining the aesthetic appearance of the skin at the site of the rash are the main advantages of Differin ointment and acne gel.
Composition of the drug and release form, should I choose a cream or ointment?
The main active ingredient is a synthetically produced retinoid - adapalene. It is a derivative of vitamin A, from which it gets its name.
In addition to adapalene, Differin contains excipients, and the set of these substances varies depending on the form of the drug:
- The gel, in addition to the main substance, contains propylene glycol, carbomer, sodium hydroxide and water.
- In addition to all the mentioned substances, glycerol, cyclomethicone and other auxiliary components are added to the cream.
As already mentioned, when choosing the form of the drug, you should take into account your skin type - cream is better for dry skin, and gel for oily skin.
When shown and photos of results before and after use
Differin is indicated in the following cases::
- acne;
- moderate and severe acne;
- poor complexion;
- frequent skin inflammations;
- age-related changes;
- dark spots;
- expression and age wrinkles.
Basic rules of application
Before using the drug, you must carefully read the instructions and make sure there are no contraindications. The loan needs to be tested for individual sensitivity to the components of the product.
To do this, apply a small amount of the drug to the back of the wrist or to the inner bend of the elbow . Leave the product to knock.
If after this period of time no negative reactions appear on the skin, then it can be safely applied to the face.
CAREFULLY!
When treating the skin, do not allow the drug to come into contact with the mucous membranes of the eyes or mouth.
If this does happen, you should immediately rinse the mucous membranes with plenty of running water.
Despite the fact that the increase in sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation when using Differin is minimal, experts still advise not to spend a lot of time in the sun while using the drug.
For the treatment of wrinkles, Differin is not recommended for use on an ongoing basis, as this can lead to excessive drying of the skin. It is better to use the drug in short courses with breaks.
Contraindications
To get the maximum benefit from using Differin to treat acne on the face, you must follow all the rules for using this drug.
In addition, it is necessary to study all contraindications for use to exclude cases of complications.
Contraindications will be:
- age up to 12 years;
- pregnancy;
- lactation;
- some skin diseases (eczema, dermatitis, etc.).
- When using the drug, phenomena such as irritation at the site of application, dry skin, and burning sensation may also be observed. This reaction may occur in 10 out of 100 patients.
- Very rarely, a patient may complain of contact dermatitis, itching, peeling, discomfort, or sunburn. A reaction of the skin of the face and especially the eyelids in the form of swelling is possible.
- Also, the drug can cause unwanted complications if it gets into the mucous membranes of the nose, mouth or eyes. In this case, a quick rinse with warm running water will help.
- If the patient experiences complications of any kind, then treatment with the drug should be abandoned for a while. If irritation occurs again, it is better to discontinue the remedy altogether.
What is better Differin or age-related cosmetics?
There can be no definite answer to this question; it all depends on the type and condition of the skin.
It must be said that Differin is best used for the initial signs of skin aging; this drug does not cope well enough with old wrinkles.
As for anti-aging cosmetics, they cost much more than Differin, however, they do not always live up to expectations. In any case, it is better to entrust the choice of a product for the treatment of wrinkles and age-related skin changes to a professional.
special instructions
Adapalene, an anti-wrinkle cream, is not recommended for use in the presence of erythema and other damage to the skin until complete healing. When applying the composition to the area affected by erythema, increased negative reactions in the form of irritation may occur.
It is also not recommended to prescribe the drug if you have sunburn, as the drug increases the skin's sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation. It is recommended to wait until the wounds have completely healed.
In this case, it is necessary to avoid contact with sunlight and ultraviolet radiation. If you need to stay in the sun, you should stop taking the product the day before the expected date. To avoid the development of reactions, it is necessary to treat the skin with special sunscreens and wear sunglasses.
It should be remembered that the medicine can cause various negative manifestations when exposed to unfavorable environmental factors - temperature changes, wind, cold. When applying the composition, it is necessary to avoid direct contact of the cream with the eyes, lips or mucous membranes. In case of accidental contact, it is recommended to rinse the affected area with warm water.
If there is no therapeutic effect after 8-12 weeks of treatment, you should consult a specialist for advice.
The gel is intended for patients with oily and normal skin; the dosage form in the form of a cream is indicated for dry and sensitive skin.
During treatment, you should avoid exposure to direct sunlight. Procedures using ultraviolet radiation are prohibited. Before going outside, cover your skin with sunscreen. If you plan to stay outside for a long time, do not apply the product the day before, on the day of going out, or the day after.
In case of severe hypersensitivity reactions, discontinue use of the drug.
Do not use for sun or thermal burns or chapping. Use on areas with eczema may aggravate it.
Do not apply to the lips, around the eyes, or mucous membranes. If the product accidentally gets into these places, they are thoroughly washed.
