Differin is a drug used to treat acne. By its chemical structure, the agent is included in the group of retinoids and has the properties of a dermatoprotector.
Reviews about "Differin" are available in large numbers, we will consider them at the end of the article.
The composition and properties of the drug
The medication is made in two forms - gel and cream. And in fact, and in another embodiment, the active component in the "Differin" is adapalene, the content of which per gram of cream or gel is 1 mg. The auxiliary components are disodium edetate, methyl parahydroxybenzoate, sodium hydroxide, carbomer, phenoxyethanol and purified water.
The composition of the gel is also supplemented by polycamer and propylene glycol. Additional components of the cream are glycerol, squalene of natural origin, cyclomethicone and propyl parahydroxybenzoate.
According to the instructions, "Differin" has anti-inflammatory and comedonolytic properties. Both forms of the drug are intended for external use. Adapalene is a metabolite of the retinoid. The substance promotes keratinization and epidermal differentiation at the cellular level.
The active component of "Differin" interacts with skin cells, weakening cellular bonds in the follicles and eliminating the factors that cause the appearance of acne. In addition to cleansing the skin, the drug relieves inflammation.
Indications and contraindications
As the instructions indicate, “Differin” is indicated to eliminate the following skin defects:
- Acne in the form of acne.
- Acne vulgar type.
- Black dots.
- Comedones.
The drug has several contraindications for use:
- Individual intolerance to the components of the drug, due to a genetic factor or acquired.
- Hypersensitivity to the substances that make up the drug.
- Eczema.
- Dermatitis.
- Dermatological neoplasms.
- Childhood.
- The period of gestation and breastfeeding.
- Violation of the integrity of the skin.
- Skin wounds after burns.
- The use of drugs in the retinoid group.
Instruction manual
To increase the effectiveness of the applied cream or Differin gel, it is necessary to thoroughly clean the skin and dry it before application. At the same time, it is not recommended to use cleansers based on alcohol or soap.
If acne is treated, the gel is applied to the entire surface of the face with a thin layer. In case of local lesions, the drug is applied pointwise. You do not need to rub the gel. Differin is used once a day. According to the instructions, the gel should be applied to the skin before bedtime, since the effectiveness of the cream and gel in the evening increases due to the increased activity of the parasympathetic nervous system.
The peak effectiveness of the drug in the form of a gel is achieved after about a month of regular use. A full course of treatment in this case involves the use of the drug for at least three months. Reuse of Differin should be discussed with a dermatologist.
Cream, unlike gel, can be applied at any time of the day, whether it is morning or evening. It is necessary to avoid getting the cream on sensitive areas of the skin located around the lips and eyes, as this increases the risk of unwanted reactions. The cream can be used not only on the skin of the face, but also on the shoulders, back, chest area.
Adverse reactions
According to reviews of Differin, the use of a medication in the form of a gel or cream can lead to some undesirable reactions, including:
- Skin irritation at the site of application of the drug.
- Peeling and redness of the skin.
- Burning and itching.
- Dry skin.
- Contact type dermatitis.
- Eczema.
- Change in skin pigmentation at a local level.
- Conjunctivitis caused by an allergic reaction to the drug.
If adverse reactions occur, you should abandon the further use of the drug and consult a specialist. It should be borne in mind that the use of the drug "Differin" increases the likelihood of burns after prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.
Overdose
The drug has a low absorption, which significantly reduces the risk of intoxication of the body with its components. Only four percent of the ointment enters the systemic circulation. Therefore, an overdose of them is practically excluded. In case of accidental swallowing of a cream or gel, as well as uncontrolled use of the drug, the following signs of intoxication may develop:
- Soreness in the muscles.
- Dry skin.
- Lacrimation.
- Signs of hypervitaminosis A (observed in especially severe cases).
There is no specific treatment for overdose with Differin. The body is cleansed and symptomatic therapy.
Analogs of Differin
There are quite a few drugs with similar properties. Their action is aimed at eliminating blackheads, blackheads and other dermatological defects. The most effective domestic acne medications are “Radevit”, “Vidosystem”, “Klenzit”, “Diaknel”, etc. The cost of these funds is much lower than that of Differin, the price of which reaches 800 rubles per package. However, it should be borne in mind that “Differin” is produced in France and refers to premium drugs.
When choosing a cure for acne, many people prefer the analogue of Differin - Baziron. The latter is based on benzoyl peroxide and has the form of a gel. A pronounced therapeutic effect is achieved due to the powerful antimicrobial action of Baziron. The components of the gel are especially active in relation to propionobacteria and staphylococci. These microorganisms are the main causative agents of dermatological diseases.
Baziron
The product enriches the skin with oxygen, helps to normalize trophism and inhibits the production and secretion of excretion by the sebaceous glands. The skin is moisturized, it becomes softer, redness and inflammation are eliminated. Comparing “Differin” and “Baziron” is quite difficult, since they act in different ways, while having the same therapeutic effect. Quite often, these two drugs are prescribed for sharing. Thus, it is possible to achieve the effect faster, with a longer period of time.
Skinoren
Another popular drug that can be attributed to analogues of Differin for acne is Skinoren. The latter is also an antiseptic. It contains azelaic acid, which has a pronounced antimicrobial effect. In addition, when using Skinoren, keratinization proliferation is inhibited. The drug reduces the production of secretion by the sebaceous glands, which allows you to clean the pores and prevent their further contamination.
It is very important to understand that, despite similar effects, all of the listed products have different compositions and mechanisms of action on the skin. The choice of the drug should be left to the dermatologist, who will select the best option for the drug.
Reviews about "Differin"
"Differin" is an imported drug that has a pronounced therapeutic effect, as evidenced by numerous positive reviews. He helped many to cleanse the skin not only on the face, but also on the shoulders, back and chest, it was effective even with extensive and severe lesions. In addition, the drug normalizes the plastic and trophic properties of adjacent tissues, which is an undoubted advantage of Differin. Reviews do not end there.
Dermatologists also confirm the high effectiveness of both gel and cream. Many patients who for a long period of time could not get rid of skin problems found a solution in Differin. Some note peeling and dryness of the skin during the period of use of the product, which passes after the end of treatment and is an individual reaction to the components of the drug, as the instruction warns.
Negative reviews
There are also negative reviews. Basically, the complaints are caused by the high cost, which makes Differin inaccessible to many categories of the population. Many consider the price of the drug unreasonable and prefer domestic analogues. However, experts are convinced of the opposite, confirming a long-term remission after undergoing a full course of treatment. In some cases, the skin remained clean even several years after treatment with Differin.