Azelaic Acid & Rosacea

Azelaic Acid & Rosacea

Azelaic acid is known as an effective treatment for acne. It is a dietary substance that is obtained from whole grain cereal. It is known as a very effective treatment for acne and it also helps to treat inflammatory bumps and pimples. Those charactersitcs are similar to that of rosacea, so many people use it in their treatment.

How Effective is Azelaic Acid as a Treatment for Rosacea?

Azelaic acid is a very effective treatment for rosacea. There have been clinical trials that have been done to show that people who use it, 80% of them has seen significant improvement in their skin condition.  It was also noted that 77% of the individuals who use azelaic acid to treat rosacea as part of their treatment saw the condition remaining in remission and had no episodes of flare-ups in their symptoms. 42% of the individuals who did not continue with the treatment had a relapse.

The use of azelaic  acid to treat rosacea will often result in less severe pimples, papules, pustules or other skin lesions. For the treatment to work effectively it will take several weeks to months to see proper results.

Azelaic acid is also more effective when it is used alongside professional rosacea skin care regimen. Example of this is the treatment provided by the Rosacea Treatment Clinic to treat all the skin's layers (Azelaic Acid is a largely superficial treatment). In using azelaic acid to treat rosacea it is best used when applied to the skin via lotions, gels or creams.This will allow it to be absorbed into the skin effectively. Initially it is best to apply the azelaic acid to skin every other day in the evening. As your skin gets adjusted to the formulation you should increase the frequency of use.

 It is vital that individuals who use azelaic acid for their rosacea should not lapse with their treatment. The result for clean and clear skin is a result of continuous use. If done properly and used according to the recommendations and instructions, then there will be a reduction in symptoms.

It is important to remember that rosacea is a progressive skin disease that takes many years to develop. It has no single cause and no cure, only management. That rosacea does not go away of its own accord That rosacea gets worse and is difficult if not impossible to meaningfully reverse when left untreated for extended periods of time When you see positive results, remember that rosacea cannot be cured, only managed, and so continued care is necessary.

Effective therapy takes time.
To ensure you don't forget to apply your azelaic acid here are a few rosacea treatment tips:

1. Keep the bottle or jar visible in your bathroom (but safe from children);
2. Group your application of azelaic acid or skin care with brushing your teeth or coming home from the gym to ensure you get into a routine;

Common Side Effects in using Azelaic Acid to Treat Rosacea

It is common to experience some or all of the following when commencing your treatment of rosacea using azelaic acid:
1) slight warming of the skin
2) slight burning or stinging sensations
3) slight peeling of dry skin and any areas affected by demodex mites.
Most people will tolerate these side effects because they lessen with time and because the therapy is effective.
The first two side effects can be lessened by waiting 15 minutes after cleansing, before applying the azelaic acid. If you are only applying the azelaic acid once a day, evening application makes the wait quite easy.
To begin with it is also recommended that you only apply the azelaic acid once every second evening, and increase usage as skin adapts and improves.
Skin hydration can be enhanced (and peeling reduced or eliminated) by applying a rosacea moisturizer over the azelaic acid.
Always use a sunscreen for rosacea during the day.
Although a few studies demonstrate that azelaic acid is effective in the treatment of rosacea papules and pustules, there is evidence indicating that this treatment is very irritating to rosacea skin. In a recent medical study investigators found that topical azelaic acid caused adverse skin reactions in 40% of the rosacea patients (30 out of 76 patients). (137) These reactions included, "Burning, skin irritation, stinging, itching, facial edema, and scaling." Furthermore, before the actual study began, 5 patients dropped out because azelaic acid caused one or more of the following skin reactions: "Burning, erythema, skin irritation, and contact dermatitis." As discussed earlier in this chapter, rosacea experts stress that any topical product that causes adverse skin reactions should be avoided.
Typical Azelaic Acid Treatment for Rosacea

For the treatment of rosacea, certain steps should be followed to get effective results.
Step 1 – Clean Your Skin
It is essential that an appropriate cleanser and, especially if local water condition is hard (alkaline), a toning lotion, is chosen. Although there are many basic, soap-free cleansers now available on the market, it is best to choose products which will desensitize as they cleanse.
If you can refine the grain of your skin gently, soften it and leave it lightly hydrated as you cleanse, you will quickly start to improve the outwardly cosmetic appearance of your skin.

• ESTA Anti-Inflammatory Cleanser (for all sensitized skin types)
• Oil Free Purifying Foam Gel (for normal to oily rosacea)
• Cleansing Emulsion (for normal to dry or combination rosacea)
• Rosacea Cleansing Milk (for normal to dry or dehydrated rosacea)

Step 2. Treat the Layers of Your Skin
Azelaic acid provides an effective surface remedy for pimples, papules and pustules.
The dermis (lowest layers), also known as the true skin because it is the source of fresh cells, benefits from specialized, deep-penetrating nutrition.
Natural Rosacea Treatment Complex may be applied underneath Azelaic Acid during the day, and a Chamomile Complex may be applied underneath the Azelaic Acid in the evening. This second option may be preferred for both day and night usage if skin is especially dry.

Step 3. Applying the Azelaic Acid Treatment
After appropriately cleansing the rosaceous skin, and possibly treating the lower skin layers with an adapted serum or complex, apply the Azelaic Acid, either as a light lotion or cream, over all affected areas.
* To begin with, apply just once per day in the evening, or once every few days in the evening, and increase usage as skin adjusts.
** It is safe to use on skin not affected by rosacea (the azelaic acid will actually help resurface environmentally damaged or aging skin).
*** It is normal to experience a warming of the skin. This sensation can be reduced by waiting for 15 minutes after cleansing before applying the Azelaic Acid.
Avoid eye or other mucous membrane contact.
In case of flaking, apply a rosacea moisturizer or healing gel.
4. Sunscreen - Vital for Rosacea
It is imperative that a sunscreen be used daily. This applies whether azelaic acid is being used or not as the accumulative effect of daily, incidental sun exposure has been identified as a prime causative factor in rosacea symptoms.
Because azelaic acid may photo-sensitize some people's skin, sunscreen use is also important.
The sunscreen used must either contain no chemical sunscreen ingredients (as these are irritants), or utilize a technology to encapsulate the sunscreen, ensuring they remain on the surface.