Azelaic acid pairs well with various ingredients and products, such as hydroxy acids, retinoids and benzoyl peroxide. However, for optimal results it should be used separately from drying or astringent products.
Increased cell turnover (which helps smooth bumpy skin), slower melanin production (for reduced melanin pigment production and hyperpigmentation), and preventing the P. acnes bacteria from spreading (to limit breakouts).
How to Use
Azelaic acid is a naturally-occurring dicarboxylic acid found in grains such as barley, wheat and rye. Additionally, lab-engineered forms of this active can be found and utilized as skincare ingredients. Azelaic acid has many uses including pregnancy safety, high tolerance levels and working effectively alongside other actives to address various skin concerns; for instance exfoliation, hyperpigmentation reduction, acne treatments as well as its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties making it great for acne prone skin conditions like keratosis pilaris; both beneficial ingredients!
Studies have demonstrated that Azelaic Acid can be an effective solution to Melasma by blocking tyrosinase enzyme and melanin pigment production, with good safety levels when combined with actives like Glycolic Acid or Retinoids. Azelaic Acid also serves to treat post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH), especially among individuals with darker complexions, by stopping certain enzymatic processes that cause pigment accumulation – making it suitable for sensitive skin types as it targets only abnormal pigment cells (Bandyopadhyay).
Avoid harsh exfoliators or scrubs soon after laser hair removal as your pores will likely be open and need time to recover. Furthermore, use broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30+ protection as sun exposure should also be limited as much as possible.
After your laser hair removal treatments, it is normal to experience temporary redness and itching in the treated area which may last several days post-treatments. To minimize discomfort use over-the-counter hydrocortisone or aloe vera for relief. Furthermore, after completing your series of treatments your treated area will begin shedding approximately two weeks later.
Selecting a qualified, licensed, and experienced laser technician when undertaking laser hair removal is vitally important to avoiding side effects like pigmented ingrown hairs (PIH) from happening. This is especially relevant when considering clients with darker complexions who are more vulnerable to experiencing PIH.
Side Effects
Azelaic acid often gets misrepresented when it comes to skincare, when in reality it is an organic dicarboxylic acid found in wheat, barley and rye that’s produced naturally by your microbiome and has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties that make it beneficial in treating acne, pigmentation problems (melasma especially), inflammation from conditions like rosacea or redness-prone skin conditions such as redness or inflammation in general. Azelaic acid also serves as a comedolytic which means it helps break down blackheads to keep pores clear!
Dr. Strachan notes that vitamin C can also serve as an excellent skin brightener. “It helps even out skin tone and can reduce pigmentation spots associated with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation,” says he. Additionally, as a topical solution it promotes cell turnover while helping prevent formation of melanin, which causes dark spots.
Don’t be alarmed if your treatment area immediately after laser hair removal becomes reddened, bumpy, or has scabs; these symptoms are completely normal and should only last a few days – hydrocortisone or aloe vera products may help soothe these discomforts. Regrowth patches in treated areas should gradually fade with continued laser sessions.
Before and after laser treatments, we advise against waxing, plucking or tweezing of the area before and after, as this could interfere with laser light targeting hair follicles. It’s also wise to limit sun exposure – tanning beds or overexposure is best avoided in order to maximize results – and use broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher daily as additional skin protection measures.
Azelaic acid is generally well tolerated and poses little risk of irritation; however, you may still experience side effects like burning or itching if your product contains other active ingredients, or when used alongside prescription-strength skin treatments such as exfoliants or retinoids. People with very dry or sensitive skin should start off by starting off with lower concentrations of Azelaic acid to minimize any risk.
While using an Azelaic Acid regimen, it’s wise to forgo harsh cleansers in favor of gentle ones formulated for your specific skin type. Incorporating additional natural remedies like tea tree oil or aloe vera into the regimen may further help soothe irritations such as sunburns.
Precautions
An acid that inhibits tyrosinase (an enzyme that produces pigment) can also help prevent dark spots from forming on your skin, especially helpful if you suffer from melisma or have acne scars that leave dark or discolored marks behind.
When starting with azelaic acid, it’s important to keep in mind that initial use or transition to higher strengths may cause skin irritation; however, don’t let this stop you; most skin types tolerate it well and it can be combined with other products like retinoids, hydroxy acids or niacinamide without adverse reactions.
Start slow to avoid irritation by only using small doses (no more than twice daily) of azelaic acid on clean, dry skin in small doses (no more than twice per day) for no more than 1-2 months on both hands prior to applying them on your face – always test products first on wrist before trying on face!
Avoid taking hot showers or steamy baths as this can strip your skin of its natural oils, leaving it red and irritated. Instead, use lukewarm water instead and wear loose clothing; any products containing alcohol or astringents on your skin could aggravate and lead to redness.
Azelaic acid may interact with certain medications, including tretinoin, birth control pills and antibiotics; therefore it’s wise to speak to both your physician or dermatologist prior to beginning any form of therapy with Azelaic acid.
If you’re treating acne or rosacea with azelaic acid, results should start showing by month 2. However, hyperpigmentation or melasma could take more time for results to show up.
At first, it can take some time for azelaic acid to reach the hair follicle. While waiting, it is essential to refrain from plucking or waxing the areas being treated, as this could interfere with laser light targeting hair roots directly and lead to unexpected hair regrowth in unintended places. Shaving daily (as directed) encourages active hair growth that the laser targets during treatments.
Results
Thankfully, Azelaic acid has been shown to effectively improve skin tone and texture while diminishing fine lines and hyperpigmentation. Furthermore, its antibacterial properties help clear breakouts quickly while also preventing further ones. Furthermore, its melanin production inhibiting enzyme tyrosinase is why this treatment option can also be effective against acne and rosacea.
Azelaic acid can be found both over-the-counter (OTC) and as part of a dermatologist-prescribed formula, but should always be used according to instructions from a dermatologist. As its molecules are larger than most common exfoliators like glycolic acid, azelaic acid may cause less irritation to sensitive skin types than others such as glycolic acid; and should therefore be applied twice per day – morning and night on clean skin for maximum benefits.
Azelaic acid can be combined with other ingredients for more targeted results, including tranexamic acid to address hyperpigmentation and other pigmentation concerns, or with retinol to increase its effects and speed up cell turnover.
Laser hair removal treatment depends on an individual basis and should be discussed during your consultation with Simplicity Laser. To get optimal results, it’s important to follow all directions for treatment and avoid unnecessary heat exposure, which could reduce its efficacy. Furthermore, you should avoid harsh scrubs and astringents which could irritate skin further.
Avoid direct sunlight and apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher on the treated area daily to reduce direct sun damage and maximize effective laser hair removal treatment. In addition, avoid hair colorants like dyes or bleaches as these could impede laser’s ability to target and remove hair effectively.
