Azelik gel for external use 15% tube 30g

Skin imperfections and the appearance of acne become a real problem for many boys, girls, women and men. And it doesn’t matter whether they are teenagers or any other, you want to remove them from your face in any way. Many cosmetic products are aimed at combating pimples, or acne, as doctors call them; which one to choose is a difficult question. All over the world, preparations based on azelaic acid are considered the most effective for the treatment of inflammatory rashes. Russian manufacturers offer their own version - the drug "Azelik". Reviews about its use are varied, but most are still positive. Let's look at how this gel acts on the skin.

Effect of the drug

The basis of the Azelik gel is azelaic acid. It has various properties:

• antimicrobial – eliminates bacteria that cause acne;
• keratolytic – prevents compaction of the upper layer of skin;
• antioxidant – neutralizes reactive oxygen species;
• smoothing – removes inflammatory components from the surface of the skin;
• anti-inflammatory – interferes with the synthesis of inflammatory cells;
• brightening - eliminates pigmentation.

In addition, it is not addictive, since not a single microbe is resistant to this acid.

The gel also contains other auxiliary components. First of all, it is squalane. It is a high-quality emollient that can maintain skin moisture, thereby softening and eliminating tightness during treatment with Azelik gel. Reviews, despite this, still recommend moisturizing the skin additionally, since the drying effect is quite noticeable. Or you can use the gel point-wise, directly on the rash, without affecting large areas.

Dosage form

In many texts you can see that users often write “Azelik cream” instead of gel. Reviews often compare it with Skinoren cream. This is due to the fact that the consistency of the gel is very soft, white, and pleasant to the touch. For the same reason, it is sometimes called nothing more than “Azelik” ointment. Reviews, however, are full of photographs of the gel. At the moment, the manufacturer of Azelik produces it in a single gel form. It is applied evenly, allowing the active substance to penetrate into the desired layers of the skin.

"Azelik" (gel): reviews, before and after photos, advantages and disadvantages

When buying any cosmetic product, you want to be sure that it is suitable and will bring a noticeable effect. “Azelik” (gel) is no exception. Reviews about its use are perhaps the most reliable information from which you can learn quite a lot.

As the saying goes: “It is better to see once than to hear 100 times.” The best evidence of the effectiveness of the drug will be a visible improvement in skin condition. Therefore, for those who are faced with the problem of rashes and want to use “Azelik” (gel), reviews and “before and after” photos will certainly be useful.

How to use the gel

Azelik gel should be applied correctly to skin that has been previously cleansed with a special product or water. If the skin is prone to severe oiliness, then for an additional antiseptic and drying effect it is recommended to clean it with simple laundry soap. After washing, the face or body is thoroughly blotted with a towel so that the skin is completely dry. Next, squeeze 2.5 ml (equivalent to a 2.5 cm strip) of the product onto clean hands and apply it locally to the affected areas, rubbing in lightly.

The procedure is carried out twice a day - in the morning and in the evening.

In advanced cases, the doctor may recommend a comprehensive treatment regimen, which, in addition to Azelik, will include other drugs with local or systemic effects.

Azelik can be applied not only to the face - the gel is suitable for treating skin problems on the back, chest, and neck area.

Don't expect an immediate effect. The first positive results can be noticed after a month of use. The course of treatment with Azelik lasts from 3 to six months. After the condition of the skin is normalized, the drug can be used for prevention. To do this, it is enough to apply it to known problem areas of the face or body 1-2 times a week. In this case, the duration of use can be 1 year.

Positive reviews

Almost everyone who used the gel noted a positive effect on the condition of the skin. The exception is those who have used it for less than two weeks. As a rule, significant improvement occurs after two months of use. The skin is evened out, there are fewer inflammatory elements, and those that appear again quickly disappear. In addition, skin whitening occurs and pigment spots disappear. The gel is easy to apply and spread over the surface. The creamy texture of “Azelika” is light and pleasant to the touch. The gel is excellent for the treatment of teenage acne, significantly improving the condition of the skin of boys and girls, which is important for their self-esteem.

Negative reviews and disadvantages of the drug

Many users note the increased dryness of the skin that they feel after using the drug "Azelik" for acne. Reviews, even positive ones, point to this drawback. In addition, many say that the gel does not fight the appearance of new pimples, but only prevents their inflammation. The appearance of white streaks after use prevents you from applying the gel before going outside, which is also not always convenient. Side effects of the drug include peeling, burning, redness and itching at the site of application of the gel, which is also confirmed by reviews. As a rule, the burning and peeling do go away after several uses. Another disadvantage is that during treatment you should not be exposed to direct sunlight, which is also unfeasible for many.

Many user recommendations indicate that the gel is best used in combination with other drugs that act on the internal cause of rashes. The same approach is used in cosmetology.

Indications for applying the gel

Azelik facial gel is recommended for use for:

• papular and pustular acne on the skin of the face or body;
• small red pimples;
• oily skin;
• enlarged pores;
• comedones (blackheads);
• rosacea;

• melasma - a disorder of pigment production, which is manifested by the formation of uneven dark spots in the face or neck;
• rosacea;
• manifestations of post-acne - scars, scars, vascular changes, dents.

When painful red spots appear - the first harbingers of acne, spot application of the gel is recommended. This procedure will stop the further development of inflammation and also prevent the formation of acne marks on the skin.

Considering the effectiveness of Azelik gel against age spots, you can use it to get rid of freckles. This effect is due to the ability of the main active component to block the production of tyrosinase, an enzyme involved in the synthesis of melanin.

Azelik gel, the indications for which are extensive, is not used to treat severe inflammatory formations on the skin surface, which are accompanied by the appearance of pimples with abundant purulent contents.

"Azelik" in cosmetology

Doctors - dermatologists and cosmetologists - have accumulated a fairly large amount of knowledge on the treatment of acne. And azelaic acid, which is the main component of Azelik, is an active participant in the fight for clear skin.

It is worth noting that hormonal testing and treatment in combination with Azelik is indicated only for patients with signs of androgen excess (irregular menstruation, excess hair growth, obesity, infertility). All others are treated without hormone testing. If the treatment is long-term, then drugs with azelaic acid are chosen. In Russia it is “Azelik” (gel). Reviews of its use to combat moderate acne are positive. In addition, it is possible to combine the gel with other medications that enhance the therapeutic effect.

Comparison with other drugs

During clinical trials of drugs that treat acne, Azelik gel showed itself to be approximately on par with such drugs as benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin. In all groups, an effectiveness of 70% was achieved in reducing the number of inflammations. They reduced the level of sebum secretion approximately equally, although the Azelik gel showed a slight advantage in speed. Feedback from subjects also indicated better tolerability of drugs with azelaic acid. For severe forms of acne, the gel should be used in combination with systemic antibiotics, but always under the supervision of a doctor. We can talk about the effectiveness of treatment when the number of foci of inflammation decreases by 10-15%. At the moment, there is an active study of the effectiveness of drugs with azelaic acid in combination with other topical agents. Azelik gives good results in combination with clindamycin (5% azelaic acid, 2% clindamycin).

Analogues and substitutes

Azelik gel is freely available, so you can purchase it at any pharmacy. The average price of a tube with a capacity of 15 g is 403 rubles. If for some reason you cannot buy the gel, then you can replace it with any other external product based on azelaic acid, since the difference lies only in the manufacturer and cost. Today there are such analogues:

1. Azogel
   — comes in the form of a gel, has high antiseptic properties, so it helps well against acne and rosacea. Average price - 405 rubles. for 15 g of product. You can purchase Azogel in pharmacies only by pre-order.

2. Azix Derm
   - has the same indications as Azelik. At the same time, the official instructions for use recommend using the medicine with caution for people with bronchial asthma. The cost of the gel is 663 rubles.

3. AcneStop
   - a cream with a pronounced antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and depigmenting effect. Available in tubes of 30 g. Price - 913 rubles.

4. Skinonorm
   - Available in the form of gel and cream. The first dosage form is recommended for use for rosacea and oily skin. The second - for hyperpigmentation and excessive dryness of the skin. Both the gel and the cream are good at eliminating acne and clogged pores. Price in pharmacies - from 620 rubles.
   Read also:  Gel Klenzit and Klenzit-S: reviews

5. Skinoren
   is a very popular gel, identical in its properties to Azelik. But the fact that Azelik is produced in Russia (), and Skinoren - in Italy, significantly affects the price. In pharmacy chains it ranges from 1300-1800 rubles.

There is another complete analogue of Azelik - Azelex. It is produced in California (USA). At the moment, the drug is under re-registration, so it is impossible to find it in pharmacies. A brief overview of local products, which have different compositions, but similar indications, is presented in the table:

In cases where the use of products based on azelalaic acid causes severe side effects, it is recommended to consult a doctor about the possibility of replacing it with the above drugs.

Peeling with azelaic acid

Peeling of problem skin using preparations containing azelaic acid is very popular in cosmetology. According to dermatologists, this is the most gentle type of peeling, allowing you to get very good results. For peeling at home, you can choose Azelik gel. Reviews from dermatologists say that to get results you need to do from 5 to 12 procedures with an interval of 7 days. Contraindications to this procedure are pregnancy and lactation, various skin disorders (wounds, abrasions, scratches), herpes and some types of inflammation.

Adverse reactions after use

A feature of the gel is the deterioration of the skin condition and frequent side effects in the first 2 weeks of use. In most patients, the skin turns red, itches, and the treated area peels or stings. Many people note an increase in the number of rashes and excessive dryness of the skin. In such a situation, you should temporarily reduce the frequency of procedures to 1 time per day or completely stop using Azelik, wait until the condition of the epidermis stabilizes, and then resume therapeutic procedures.

As a rule, after some time the skin adapts to the effects of the drug. But if such reactions occur after the third attempt, then it is better to abandon the medication altogether and consult a doctor for an alternative prescription.

Reviews from dermatologists and cosmetologists

When using the drug to treat acne, dermatologists and cosmetologists rely on scientific research, according to which azelaic acid can be prescribed either separately or in combination with other medications. According to the observations of doctors, patients who use Azelik gel separately and, as a rule, on their own, most often encounter problems with dry skin, peeling and do not achieve the desired result. While patients using complex therapy and under the supervision of a doctor, quickly achieve the desired skin condition. Dermatologists and cosmetologists recommend not using acne treatment products on your own and, at least for the first time, seek a prescription from your doctor, who, after collecting information, will select the necessary treatment and give the necessary recommendations.

Use by pregnant women and children

The main contraindication to the use of the drug is individual sensitivity to its composition. Since azelaic acid is a low-toxic substance, and, penetrating the skin, does not enter the systemic bloodstream, using Azelic during pregnancy or during breastfeeding is not prohibited.

At the same time, it should be taken into account that acne in expectant mothers is often associated with hormonal changes in the body, and therefore disappears without a trace after pregnancy.

If such changes in the skin do not cause much concern, then it is better for a woman to try traditional methods based on the use of medicinal herbs.

As for children, to eliminate rosacea the medicine is used by patients over 18 years of age. But given the tendency for acne in adolescents, applying the gel is practiced from the beginning of puberty, but not earlier than 12 years of age.

Professional treatment with Azelik: reviews, before and after photos

When treating acne, the first step is to collect an anamnesis, when the doctor finds out important parameters of the patient’s health: when the first rashes appeared, how long they last, whether women have gynecological problems, whether there are similar rashes in relatives, whether there has been previous treatment. Questions are asked about professional activities, since hazardous production has a significant impact on the condition of the skin, the nature of nutrition is determined, BMI is calculated and glucose tolerance is determined. Then, therapy is selected based on sebumetry, PH-metry, and corneometry. If necessary, a microbiological test or consultation with a gynecologist-endocrinologist is prescribed. Only after all these actions, the effect on the skin of specially selected preparations, including the Azelik gel, begins. Reviews and photos that patients leave after a high-quality selection of medications and treatment are rarely negative.