Features of azelaic acid and its mechanism of action

Mechanism of action of azelaic acid

Back in the 70s, studies were conducted that proved that azelaic acid can fight hyperpigmentation.

Later, scientists found out that AK also has an anti-comedinal effect, and they began to include it in acne treatment courses.

AA competitively inhibits some enzymes that reduce oxygen, for example, thioredoxireductase, oxidoreductase, tyrosinase, etc. In addition, azelaic acid slows down the activity of the anaerobic glycolysis enzyme hexokinase, 5-reductase.

Azelaic acid is able to neutralize free radical forms of oxygen and slows down the process of their production by neutrophils, which indicates its antioxidant effect.

Without affecting the growth of normal cells, AA is an inhibitor of DNA synthesis and has a suppressive effect on the activity of mitochondria in tumor cells. Azelaic acid exhibits antibacterial activity against anaerobes and aerobes.

The possibility of its inclusion in anti-acne therapy is due to the fact that AA has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiproliferative effects and affects many parts of the pathogenesis of acne. Resistance does not develop to azelaic acid.

Side effect

Side effects are rare, but with very high sensitivity, redness, itching and discomfort in the area of ​​application may occur. The skin may also peel and become dry. On the part of the nervous system, paresthesia may occur, that is, a feeling of goosebumps on the skin.

side effects of azelaic acid

The skin and subcutaneous tissue can have the following side effects: cheilitis, depigmentation, acne, acne and more. Azelaic acid effect on facial skin

special sensitivity causes unpleasant side effects.

Immune system: hypersensitivity reaction, aggravation of bronchial asthma, as well as other allergic reactions.

If you take a closer look at azelaic acid, its properties

she has useful ones; it can eliminate many skin diseases. If you suddenly encounter rashes on your face, make an appointment with our endocrinologist.

What is the difference between 15% gel and 20% cream?

The ability of topical preparations with azelaic acid to penetrate the epidermis and dermis is largely related to the properties of the base.

First, 20% azelaic acid cream was invented. Later it became possible to create a gel, which is a more effective way of delivering the active substance, this made it possible to reduce the concentration of azelaic acid to 15%. Studies have shown that the penetration of 15% gel is 25.3%, and 20% cream is 3.4%16.

TREATMENT AND CARE STRATEGY FOR PROBLEM SKIN

Proper cosmetic care for acne-prone skin has its own laws and consists of several necessary stages. Special care cosmetics should:

- relieve inflammation, - restore the skin barrier, - regulate sebum production, - effectively and long-lastingly moisturize the skin, - protect from ultraviolet radiation, - fight pathogenic bacteria, - help the beneficial skin microbiome.

The good news is that the products from the Seratsin LIBREDERM collection cover all these needs and are excellent for acne. It is important to learn how to use them correctly. For example, in the morning you need to first cleanse your face with a cleansing gel, apply a mattifying serum in the afternoon that fits well on top of cosmetics, and in the evening treat it with a night cream that normalizes the functions of the dermis during sleep. You can choose other items from the line, but the stages of care should take place in this order.

Acne treatment using Azelik® gel

Azelik® gel contains azelaic acid as the main active ingredient. The base also contains an emollient - a softening and moisturizing component5. Azelik® has the following effects5:

• normalizes keratinization processes in the sebaceous glands;
• reduces the amount of free fatty acids on the skin;
• has an antibacterial effect, helping to reduce the colonization of Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis;
• has an anti-inflammatory effect by reducing the metabolism of neutrophil granulocytes and the free oxygen radicals they produce.

According to the instructions, Azelik® should be used twice a day, morning and evening. First you need to wash your face and wipe your skin dry. The first results from using the gel can usually be noticed after about 4 weeks5.

ISSUES

Hormones stimulate increased production of sebum in the hair follicles, which clogs the opening of the hair from the follicle to the outside and inside the dermis, where it is located, severe inflammation occurs. A familiar bubble and redness forms on the surface of the skin. Usually with age, when hormonal changes end, this problem disappears. However, people with increased sensitivity to androgens in the blood have to live with it all their lives. In any case, whether it is a temporary problem or a permanent one, you should study the issue and learn how to properly deal with acne.

In our turbulent days, in addition to long-known skin problems, another new product for 2022 has appeared - maskne . Maskne is acne that forms where tissue rubs against the skin. During a pandemic, people have to wear medical masks for the safety of themselves and others. This helps protect against the virus, but at the same time provokes increased activity of the sweat and sebaceous glands in the places on the skin that the mask covers. As a result, rashes, irritation and redness appear on the face, called maskne .

Modern medicine and cosmetology successfully treat all types of dermatoses. It is important to learn how to control these ailments and apply the right therapy to the face and body. As a rule, successful treatment of skin problems is complex, consisting of drug therapy and specially designed cosmetics.

Stages of the procedure

The azelaine peeling procedure consists of the following steps:

1. Removing surface impurities from the skin is done using cleansing cosmetic milk.
2. Degreasing with a three percent solution of glycolic acid is carried out to remove milk residues from the surface of the skin and promotes deeper penetration of the peeling mixture.
3. Applying protective agents with silicone polymers to vulnerable areas of the face (mucous membranes, lips, corners of the eyes).
4. Peeling the skin with azelaic acid is carried out for 5-7 minutes, then the composition is washed off the face with distilled water.
5. Treating the skin with soothing and protective preparations containing plant extracts and vitamin E - after this stage, to achieve maximum effect, it is recommended not to wash your face for 4-6 hours.

The whole procedure takes 30-40 minutes.

Reference! After azelaine peeling, dry skin, redness and swelling in particularly sensitive areas, and slight peeling may be observed. Typically, all these manifestations disappear within 2 days, and during this period you should touch your face with your hands as little as possible to avoid infection.

Azelaine peeling: indications and contraindications

Azelloic acid is a saturated dicarboxylic acid obtained by the oxidation of oleic or linoleic acid. Carboxylic acids have two important features:

• They penetrate deep into the layers of the skin without causing chemical burns, thereby providing high-quality cleansing.
• They can block the production of melatonin, which is important in the treatment of skin hyperpigmentation.

Azelloic acid has the following effects on the skin:

• antibacterial;
• anti-inflammatory;
• antioxidant;
• smoothing (irregularities and small wrinkles are eliminated);
• whitening

Also azelaic acid:

• Normalizes the function of the sebaceous glands, stimulates their self-cleaning - helps get rid of comedones (blackheads) and prevent their further occurrence.
• Reduces sebum secretion.
• Cleanses the skin from acne.
• Reduces the growth of melanocytes (cells responsible for skin pigmentation) - eliminates age spots and prevents their subsequent appearance.
• Eliminates ingrown hairs.
• Fights photoaging (deterioration of skin condition under the influence of ultraviolet radiation).

Important! Azelaic acid is favorably accepted by the skin, as it is synthesized in small quantities by the human body. It is formed as a result of lipid (fat) metabolism.

Azelaic acid is the main component of azelaic peeling (15-20%). In addition to it, plant extracts and other acids are added to it:

• salicylic;
• almond;
• dairy;
• lemon;
• glycolic.

Azelaine peeling can be used for the following purposes for any skin type, even thin and sensitive:

• for cleansing and smoothing the skin;
• to improve complexion (eliminates earthiness, dullness);
• to stimulate renewal processes;
• to smooth out small wrinkles.

But it is most relevant for oily skin prone to the formation of blackheads and acne, or for problems with hyperpigmentation (formation of age spots).

Azelaine peeling has indications for the following diseases:

• acne, post-acne (can be carried out even with acne inflammation);
• rosacea (dilated capillaries, spider veins);
• rosacea (rosacea);
• folliculitis (infectious inflammation of hair follicles);
• psoriasis;
• seborrheic dermatitis.

Azelaine peeling is carried out as preparation for the following procedures:

• laser facial resurfacing;
• combined skin cleansing;
• microdermabrasion (mechanical peeling).

The procedure can also be combined with mechanical cleaning and diamond resurfacing of the skin.

Azelaine peeling is contraindicated for:

• Pregnancy and breastfeeding.
• The presence of wounds and other injuries on the skin.
• Exacerbation of herpes.
• Flu.
• Colds.
• Allergies to the components of the drug used.
• Inflammatory processes caused by diseases not included in the list of indications for peeling.

AZELAIC ACID, SULFUR AND ZINC - A TRIPLE IMPACT FOR ACNE

Bottles with a red stripe and the inscription AZELAIC present the most effective products in the Seracin LIBREDERM line. They contain a complex of three components, which completely helps against acne.

Azelaine has pronounced anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, normalizes sebum production, which has an anti-acne and depigmenting effect on the dermis and epidermis.

Also, as in the rest of the Seratsin LIBREDERM , there are specially developed components based on natural sulfur and zinc salts. They have sebum-regulating, antibacterial and local anti-inflammatory functions.

No less important are the additional components in the line:

- burdock extract and gulavnik extract - sebum-regulating and antibacterial effect, - finger lime extract - cleansing and antioxidant effect, - BIOLIN prebiotic - supports the natural microflora of the skin.

After using cosmetics with such a composition of components, acne has no chance of survival. Seracin LIBREDERM collection of products acts on the skin like a life-giving elixir, transforming it from sick and irritated to healthy and smooth. Always be well-groomed and beautiful!

The effect of the peeling procedure

Azelaine peeling gives the following effect:

• Provides deep cleansing.
• Normalizes the process of oxygen absorption by the skin.
• Improves subcutaneous blood circulation.
• Returns a healthy complexion.
• Eliminates blackheads.
• Smoothes out minor wrinkles.

Improvements can be seen after the first procedure. If azelaine peeling is carried out for the purpose of treating acne, then the results can be assessed after the second session. You can look at the results of azelaine peeling in the before and after photos.

Antimicrobial action18

According to research, azelaic acid has bacteriostatic and bactericidal activity against a large number of microorganisms, including S. epidermidis, P. acnes, S. aureus, P. granulosum, S. capitis, etc. Bacteria do not develop resistance to AK. In order for azelaic acid to exhibit its antibacterial properties, it must be used for at least 1 month.

The antimicrobial effect of AA is associated with the ability to change the pH level inside bacterial cells. Azelaic acid penetrates into the bacterial cell due to transmembrane ionophore proteins. The lower the pH, the better the absorption of AA by Propionibacterium acnes. Disruption of the transmembrane pH gradient negatively affects bacterial metabolism.