Resorcinol Adult Acne Treatment Risks

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Photographed by Collins Nai.

I’ve said the words “I think I need to get really into wellness” roughly twice a week, every week, for the past two or three years. Usually, it’s while scrolling vacantly through my Instagram feed, basking in the glow of a world not my own where everyone uses exclusively organic, eco-friendly makeup and enjoys $18 smoothies for every meal, and where boutique fitness classes are (evidently) free. I love it there.

And yet, I still haven’t gotten “really into wellness.” This is probably because, as much as I try to keep things clean, especially where beauty is concerned, the wellness industrial complex was not built for people like me. Massaging lavender oil onto my pulse points won’t do shit for my anxiety — I’ll need my Valium, thanks. Activated charcoal clay masks stain my bath towels. Oil pulling makes me gag. And tea tree oil has never done anything for my breakouts other than make them smell weird.

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Acne sufferers don’t always have the luxury of going clean and green. Ridding their routines of “toxins” and “additives” and “byproducts” by ditching their prescription topicals and flushing their supply of antibiotics or Accutane won’t miraculously give them clear, radiant skin. Natural is not always better. Taking neem supplements for 30 days did not give me a flawless complexion, but a carefully engineered — and dermatologist-prescribed — combination of spironolactone (50 mg, twice a day), Aczone 7.5% Gel in the morning, and tretinoin at night has gotten me pretty damn close.

And then, for the most stubborn situations, the reddest, most painful hormonal cysts that just won’t budge, there is my secret weapon. It’s called Adult Acnomel, and it’s actually not that secret; I found it at the Rite Aid near my apartment, garish packaging and all, and you can probably find it at your local drugstore, too. For me, it’s the only thing that works to demolish the worst of ‘em — and it’s also far from the kind of formula that would be marketed as “so gentle, you could use it on a baby,” or something like that. It’s dominated by resorcinol, an ingredient I was unfamiliar with, despite having what I had believed to be a vast knowledge of acne-fighting skin-care properties. Then I Googled it — and the results weren’t exactly reassuring.

Let me first say that the dermatologists I’ve spoken to agree that resorcinol is safe for topical use, in the concentration recommendedby the FDA, which is 2%, and only when accompanied by sulfur in concentrations between 3-8%. “Resorcinol is an acid used in the office as a chemical peel or in over-the-counter products for its anti-inflammatory and skin-renewing properties,” Joshua Zeichner, MD, told me. Heidi Waldorf, MD, Director of Laser and Cosmetic Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital, referred to it as a “peeling ingredient.” I couldn’t find a doctor who seemed too alarmed.

But Japan and Canada feel differently. Both countries have banned resorcinol for use in cosmetics. And the Environmental Working Group gives it an 8 out of 10 on the danger scale, for its potential as a thyroid function-disrupting, respiratory distress-causing, central nervous system-damaging, allergic reaction-causing risk to your health.

I haven’t decided what to believe, so for now, I’m just hoping that using a resorcinol-based treatment every couple of weeks to stop an oncoming cyst dead in its tracks won’t disrupt my endocrine system that badly. That’s the very real reality of the stuff we use to help us deal with the beauty problems that bother us the most — sometimes, apple cider vinegar and argan oil just aren’t enough, and that sucks. But fuck, my motto is “if it works, it works.” I’ll just have to remember to set my necessary toxins off to the side should I decide to showcase my skin-care routine in an Instagram flat lay — those FDA warning labels can be real buzzkills.

Resorcinol/Sulfur, Topical – Tufts Medical Center Community Care

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: acne treatment

Generic and brand names: resorcinol and sulfur, topical; Acnomel Acne Cream; Clearasil StayClear Acne Treatment Cream; Rezamid; Sulforcin (There may be other brand names for this medicine. )

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is used on the skin to treat acne.

This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I use this medicine?

Before using this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• An allergy to any medicine

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider’s approval.

How do I use it?

This medicine is for external use only. Use it only as directed by your healthcare provider, or according to the manufacturer’s directions. Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Do not use it more often than directed. Do not put this medicine on skin that is sunburned, bruised, or has open cuts or scrapes.

Before you apply the medicine, wash your skin with mild soap and warm water. Rinse and pat dry with a soft towel.

If you have the cream, lotion, gel, or ointment, put a thin layer of medicine on the area where you need it or as directed by your healthcare provider or the instructions on the medicine package. Using too much medicine or using it too often can increase the risk of side effects from absorption into your body. Do not rub it in. Do not bandage or cover the area unless your healthcare provider tells you to. Wash your hands after applying this medicine.

You can buy some of these medicines without a prescription. Use this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. If your healthcare provider has not given you specific instructions, follow the directions that come with the medicine package.

Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions about using cosmetics, other skin care products, or other medicines on your skin while using this medicine.

Keep this medicine away from your eyes and mouth, and the inside of your nose. If it gets in your eyes, flush them with water right away.

Do not apply or store this medicine near heat or an open flame.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss an application, apply the medicine as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled application. In that case, skip the application and use the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not try to make up for missed applications by using more or using it more often.

What if I overdose?

An acute overdose of this medicine is not likely to cause life-threatening symptoms. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I watch out for?

If the medicine causes severe irritation, contact your healthcare provider. Your acne might seem to get worse during the first few weeks of treatment. It may take several weeks after you start using this medicine to see complete results. Contact your healthcare provider or pharmacist for advice if you are concerned or if your condition does not improve or gets worse.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are using this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider): Severe irritation or rash that starts after you use the medicine.

Other: Dry skin, peeling skin, stinging, burning, itching, redness.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you use this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• Products that may irritate the skin such as peeling or abrasive products, waxing or hair removal products, strong or abrasive soaps, products containing alcohol, astringents, spices, lime juice or peel, products having a strong drying effect, medicated cosmetics, and other acne medicines

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicines in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.

Medication Advisor 2015.1 published by RelayHealth.
Last modified: 2014-02-14
Last reviewed: 2013-02-25

This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

Copyright ©1986-2015 McKesson Corporation and/or one of its subsidiaries. All rights reserved.

Acne treatment | Dobromed

Smooth, clean and healthy skin is one of the main beauty criteria. Some people are born with good skin, but most of us have experienced what the ads delicately refer to as “imperfections” at least once in our lives. Everyone knows how just one small pimple can affect self-esteem. And if there are dozens of such inflammations and they do not want to disappear in any way? Acne, or acne, is an inflammation of the sebaceous glands. The sebaceous glands are necessary for our skin, thanks to their activity, it always remains moisturized, and the secret of the sebaceous glands protects the skin from the effects of the external environment. But sometimes this system fails. The ducts of the sebaceous glands become clogged with dead cells, the gland becomes inflamed and a comedone or painful pimple appears. Acne is a common problem. In one form or another, acne occurs in 60-80% of young men and women aged 12 to 24 years. However, acne can also appear in adults.

Acne is often caused by hormonal changes. Therefore, acne is a common sign of puberty. But it’s not just hormones that are responsible for acne. Stress, an unbalanced diet, and taking certain medications can provoke a rash. By themselves, these factors do not lead to the appearance of acne, but they can be the very “trigger” if you have a predisposition to acne. It is not so difficult to cure acne, although it takes a lot of time. Today, cosmetologists have everything necessary to get rid of this skin disease. Nevertheless, many prefer to self-medicate, which often only aggravates the situation. Such a theory is true, but only partly. Under the influence of ultraviolet light, the skin does become a little drier. But sunburn increases the number of dead cells on the surface of the skin, they clog the ducts of the sebaceous glands and acne eventually becomes even more. Tanning is a great way to get rid of a couple of small pimples and get a few dozen large ones in a week. In order to avoid unpleasant consequences, a couple of days after sunbathing, scrubbing or soft peeling should be planned. We are forced to disappoint clean people and perfectionists: in the fight against acne on the face, too frequent “wet cleaning” can be harmful. Repeated washing and peeling injure the skin and destroy its healthy microflora. On overdried skin, microcracks appear, into which bacteria enter. Weakened, she cannot resist these microorganisms, and her condition worsens. With acne, you should not wash your face more than twice a day, using delicate products that do not have an aggressive effect on problem skin. This is exactly what more than one generation of teenagers and their parents did, which they probably later regretted. The fact is that when squeezing a pimple, only part of it comes to the surface, and the contents remaining in the skin provoke the appearance of deep inflammation. In addition, this method injures the skin and the canal of the sebaceous gland. This prevents the secret from coming out, so rashes at the site of the destroyed pimple will occur again and again. The result is acne and scars, which are expensive and unpleasant to remove. Facial skin cleansing (mechanical or hardware) is recommended to be trusted by professional cosmetologists and dermatologists. This procedure requires a thorough septic treatment of hands, disinfection of instruments (for example, Uno spoons, loops, Vidal needles), ultrasonic and contact devices for cleaning pores.

Acne treatment

Acne most often appears on the face, chest and back – where there are many sebaceous glands and the pores are the widest. Acne is a disease and should be treated by a specialist. The method of acne treatment depends on the severity of the disease. So, cosmetologists distinguish three forms of acne:

• mild: no more than ten closed or open acne without signs of inflammation;
• medium: 10 to 40 acne elements with minor signs of inflammation;
• severe: more than 40 inflamed acne elements.

Mild acne responds well to topical treatments such as gels, special creams and ointments. In moderate and severe forms, drugs for local therapy are combined with medicines that must be taken orally. Sometimes antibiotics are prescribed to kill bacteria and reduce inflammation, and if the problem is a hormonal imbalance, hormones. The intake of such funds should be prescribed by a doctor, since both antibiotics and hormonal drugs have a serious effect on the body as a whole. After the acne disappears, a course of cosmetic procedures will be required to return the skin to a healthy color and smoothness. After acne, scars and specks of hyperpigmentation often remain. Laser therapy and other modern cosmetic procedures are able to cope with them.

Acne treatments

Mild acne can be treated without medication. Pharmacies and stores sell many types of gels, lotions and creams designed to solve this skin problem. As a rule, such products contain benzoyl peroxide, resorcinol, salicylic acid, oxides and salts of sulfur and zinc. The chemicals that make up these products have varying degrees of effectiveness and may have unwanted side effects. For example, the benefits of using resorcinol, which until relatively recently was the main anti-acne “weapon”, is now being questioned. A number of products use the antimicrobial effect of benzoyl peroxide. Of the time-tested cosmetic ingredients, sulfur and zinc can be noted, which are actively used, for example, by LIBREDERM. The manufacturer has developed a special collection of products based on sulfur and organic zinc salts – “Seracin”. Sulfur and zinc reduce the intensity of fat production by skin pores, inhibit the development of bacteria, and have a local anti-inflammatory effect. Additional “helpers” in the composition of the products from the Seracin collection are azelaic acid, brown algae extract, centella asiatica, burdock root and others. , lotion, tonic), as well as creams, masks and patches for basic care, moisturizing and matting the skin. Special attention should be paid to the new products “Seracin” with an additional component – azelaic acid. So, the night cream “Azelain-forte Antiacne” with 5% azelaic acid in the composition helps to reduce excess sebum production, inflammation and the growth of abnormal melanocytes, that is, reduces the risk of acne and traces of them. The cream can significantly improve the condition of problematic oily skin. If regular use of hygienic cosmetics becomes a habit, then such a problem as acne may soon be forgotten – the skin will please with cleanliness, even tone and healthy appearance.

Jessner peeling – clinic “Cosmetomed”

#clinic_kosmetomed

Jessner Peeling is a classic combined superficial-median peeling, the activity of which is determined by its ingredients: lactic and salicylic acids, resorcinol.

Peeling causes active large-lamellar peeling and has a good keratolytic effect , due to which it is effective in hyperkeratosis, pronounced age-related changes and violations of the skin relief.

Peeling controls excess sebum, removes comedones, dark spots and scars, smoothes wrinkles, evens out complexion, regenerates the skin.

Indications for use

• Acne.
• Post-acne.
• Changes in skin texture and color.
• Aging skin.
• Hyperkeratosis.
• Disorders of the skin relief.
• Stretch marks (striae).
• Comedones.
• Enlarged pores.
• Excessive greasiness of the skin.

Post-peel care

Post-peel rehabilitation includes the use of moisturizers and sunscreens and allows you to lead a normal life. The skin recovery process can take about a week. During this period, exposure to the skin of the face of direct sunlight is strictly prohibited.

Benefits

• Safe against side effects.
• For problem skin prone to acne, Jessner peel is the best option. The number of inflamed elements on the skin after several procedures is noticeably reduced.
• Post-acne removal is much more successful.
• Active peeling almost always results, which, according to many clients, is an indicator of a good result.
• The lactic acid contained in the peel is much softer and more delicate than other fruit acids, so its use is justified for sensitive skin prone to hyperreactivity.
• Another very valuable property of lactic acid is its unique ability to bind, retain and evenly redistribute moisture, directing it to the deep layers of the skin, which effectively maintains the moisture balance of the epidermis.

Before and after results

1. Peels

2. Almond peeling “Mediderma”

   3700
   rub

3. Mediderma salicylic peel

   4500
   rub

4. Mediderma Azelaic peeling

   4100
   rub

5. Mediderma Hycole + Salicylic Combination Peeling

   5200
   rub

6. Glycolic peeling 50-70% Medexfol

   3100
   rub

7. Holy Land AHA peel + treatment

   4900
   rub

8. ABR peeling, Holy Land face + care

   5000
   rub

9. ABR – back peeling “Holy Land” + treatment

   7500
   rub

10. AHA + ABR combined peeling, Holy Land face

    5400
    rub

11. AHA + ABR combined peeling, back “Holy Land”

    11000
    rub

12. Trichloroacetic peeling “Medexfol”

    7500
    rub

13. Coral peeling, Christina face

    6700
    rub

14. Coral back peeling “Christina”

    10560
    rub

15. Retinol peeling ICP Martinex

    10000
    rub

16. PRX-T33 peeling

    5000
    rub

17. PRX-T33 (face + neck + decollete)

    9000
    rub

18. Enzymatic peeling Lactolan “Holy Land” + care

    4600
    rub

19. Danne Enzymatic Peel + care

    6200
    rub

20. M. E.Line depigmenting peeling for intimate areas + home care, brightening.

    14200
    rub

21. Jessner Peel

    4800
    rub

22. Purges

23. Holy Land manual cleaning

    5500
    rub

24. Danne manual cleaning

    6900
    rub

25. Christina manual cleaning

    6700
    rub

26. Holy Land Combined Cleaning

    5400
    rub

27. Millium removal

    350
    rub

29. Care for oily and combination skin with Danne preparations

    6800
    rub

30. Lifting treatment with Danne preparations

    8000
    rub

31. Facial oval correction with preparations «Danne»

    7500
    rub

32. Couperose correction with Danne preparations

    7100
    rub

33. Pigmentation correction with Danne preparations

    7000
    rub

Expert of the article you are reading:

MIRONOVA ZHANNA MIKHAILOVNA

Dermatovenereologist, cosmetologist of the highest category

Mironova Zh.