Finacea

Finacea Gel is used to treat acne and rosacea by applying it directly to your skin. It reduces the inflammation that leads to spots or redness. Additionally, it helps with hyperpigmentation and melasma, helping your skin look normal again.

Finacea Gel is considered an 'off-label' treatment for hyperpigmentation and melasma, meaning it's not officially approved for these conditions. However, we know it's effective and safe to use. A clinician will need to ensure it's suitable for you.

Finacea Gel contains 15% azelaic acid as its active ingredient. Azelaic acid is a type of medication known as a dicarboxylic acid. It has antibacterial properties, making it effective for treating bacterial acne. Additionally, it has anti-inflammatory effects, which can be beneficial for conditions such as acne, rosacea, and melasma.

The azelaic acid in Finacea Gel can also lighten skin by causing hypopigmentation. It works by attaching to an enzyme called tyrosinase and reducing its activity. This makes it useful for treating melasma and other types of hyperpigmentation. So, if you're dealing with these conditions, Finacea Gel might be beneficial for you.

It is available in just one strength, a gel containing 15% azelaic acid. Typically, you'll apply it twice daily to the affected areas of your skin. Generally, 0.5g of gel, or roughly an inch, is sufficient to cover your entire face.

If this amount isn't effectively reducing your acne, rosacea, hyperpigmentation, or melasma, have a chat with your clinician. You might need to use it more frequently, or perhaps a different treatment would suit you better. Be sure to continue using it for as long as your clinician advises to notice an improvement.

Finacea Gel stands out from over-the-counter acne treatments because it addresses the underlying causes of acne, such as inflammation and bacteria. This makes it more effective than creams and gels you can purchase without a prescription.

If you have hormonal acne, combined contraceptive pills such as Dianette are typically suggested instead of treatments for bacterial acne like Finacea Gel. Unlike many rosacea medications, Finacea Gel isn't an antibiotic. Therefore, if you're sensitive to antibiotics, Finacea Gel is often a suitable option.

Skinoren Cream is another option for treating acne and also contains azelaic acid. It works in a very similar way, but Skinoren Cream has 20% azelaic acid, compared to 15% in some other treatments. Since Skinoren is a cream and not a gel, you might find that one suits you better than the other.

Skinoren isn't effective for rosacea, hyperpigmentation, or melasma. If you're dealing with any of these conditions, Finacea Gel would be a better option for you than Skinoren. You can also opt for a generic 15% azelaic acid, which works similarly to Finacea Gel since they share the same active ingredient. The generic version is usually more affordable and comes in different packaging.

Finacea Gel is effective for various skin conditions. When it comes to acne, it's been found to work just as well as tretinoin, benzoyl peroxide, erythromycin, and tetracycline tablets. Plus, it tends to cause fewer side effects compared to traditional acne treatments.

When used for Rosacea, Finacea Gel showed notable improvements, with the benefits increasing over time. A review of various clinical studies confirmed it was safe and effective, with no long-term or serious side effects.

For melasma, Finacea Gel was just as effective as hydroquinone, and there weren't any major side effects.

Yes, you'll need a prescription for Finacea Gel. It's a potent topical medication, so a qualified healthcare professional must ensure it's suitable for you. If you have hyperpigmentation or melasma, they'll need to confirm it's the best choice, as it's used off-label for these conditions.