Finacea 15% Gel

Finacea Gel is a prescription-only medicine you apply directly to your skin. It contains a 15% concentration of the active ingredient, azelaic acid. It is primarily used to treat two facial skin conditions: papulopustular rosacea and mild to moderate acne. For rosacea, Finacea is licensed for use in adults with the type of rosacea that causes red bumps and pus-filled spots (papules and pustules). For acne, it is typically considered for mild to moderate cases, especially if you have sensitive skin.

Think of Finacea as a multi-tasker. It doesn't rely on a single trick but uses several clever approaches to clear your skin. Its main jobs are: Normalising Skin Cell Growth: In certain skin conditions, the cells lining your pores can shed too quickly and clump together, blocking the pore. Finacea helps to normalise this growth, which stops pores from getting clogged in the first place. Anti-Bacterial Action: It helps reduce the levels of bacteria living on your skin. This stops the bacteria from producing the irritating substances that cause inflammation. Anti-Inflammatory Effect: Even more importantly for treating rosacea, Finacea is a powerful anti-inflammatory. It calms the overactive immune response in your skin, directly working to reduce the redness, swelling, and tenderness of spots. It is this combination of actions that makes it effective for both the bumps of acne and the inflamed spots of rosacea.

Using Finacea correctly is straightforward. It is a leave-on gel that you apply twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Here is the step-by-step routine: 1. Cleanse Your Skin: Start by washing your face with a very mild, gentle cleanser. Avoid harsh, foaming washes, strong soaps, or any products containing alcohol, as these can irritate your skin. 2. Pat Your Skin Dry: Gently pat your face dry with a soft, clean towel. Do not rub. 3. Apply the Gel: Squeeze out a pea-sized amount of gel – about 2.5cm (or one inch) of gel. This small amount is usually sufficient to cover your entire face. Apply the gel in a very thin layer to the affected areas of your face and gently massage it in. Using more gel will not make it work faster, but it will significantly increase your risk of side effects like stinging and burning. 4. Let it Dry: Allow the gel to absorb and dry completely on your skin. This will only take a minute or two. 5. Apply Moisturiser (If Needed): Once the gel is fully dry, you can apply your usual moisturiser and any makeup. 6. Wash Your Hands: Always wash your hands thoroughly after applying the gel to avoid accidentally getting it into your eyes.

This is one of the most common questions, and the answer is that you need to be patient and consistent. For Acne: You will usually see a distinct improvement after about 4 weeks of twice-daily use. To get the very best results, you may need to continue treatment for several months. For Rosacea: A distinct improvement is also typically seen after 4 weeks. For optimum results, you can use Finacea over several months. It is very important to use Finacea continuously over the entire treatment period. Missing applications will slow down your progress. If you have seen no improvement at all after one month for acne or after two months for rosacea, you should stop using it and speak to your doctor. You may need a different type of treatment.

Finacea has a high success rate for both acne and rosacea. However, it doesn't work for everyone. Some people find that it makes no difference to their condition, while others may find that their skin is simply too sensitive and reactive to the gel. If, after giving it a fair trial (at least one month of consistent use), you see no improvement, you should speak to your doctor. They may suggest an alternative treatment, such as a gel containing metronidazole or ivermectin cream.

Side effects are usually mild and related to the application site. Most people find that the initial side effects settle down as their skin gets used to the treatment. Common side effects include: Burning, stinging, or tingling: This is by far the most common side effect, reported by about 29% of users in clinical trials. It usually happens when you first start using the gel and tends to get better after a few weeks. Itching, dryness, and scaling: Your skin may feel dry, itchy, or you may notice some minor flaking and peeling. Redness and irritation: The treated areas of skin may look redder than usual. Coping Tips: Start Slowly: If the stinging or burning is bothering you, a very effective strategy is to reduce your use to once a day (for example, just in the evening). Do this for about a week to allow your skin to build up a tolerance. Moisturise: Use a gentle, fragrance-free moisturiser after the gel has fully dried. This will help counteract the dryness. Take a Break: If the irritation is more than just a mild tingle, you can stop using the gel for a few days until your skin calms down, then restart with once-daily applications.

If you have been using Finacea Gel twice a day for the recommended period – four weeks for acne or eight weeks for rosacea – and there has been no improvement at all, you should discontinue treatment and talk to your doctor. This suggests that Finacea is not the right treatment for your skin. Continuing to use a gel that isn't working will not help and could lead to unnecessary skin irritation. Your doctor will consider other options, which might include a different type of topical cream, oral medication, or a specialist review.

Serious side effects are very rare. However, as with any medicine applied to the skin, allergic reactions can occur. Stop using Finacea and seek immediate medical help if you develop any signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or if you have difficulty breathing. Other rare side effects reported include a worsening of asthma symptoms and, in isolated cases with long-term use, lightening of the skin colour (hypopigmentation).

There are very few absolute reasons not to use this medicine. The main one is that you should not use Finacea Gel if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to azelaic acid or to any of the other ingredients listed on the tube. You should also avoid applying the gel to areas of your skin that are actively infected (e.g., cold sores or infected cuts). Finacea is not suitable for treating acne in children under the age of 12, and it is not licensed for treating rosacea in anyone under the age of 18 due to a lack of safety and efficacy data.

There is limited information on the safety of using Finacea during pregnancy and breastfeeding. However, because very little of the gel is absorbed through the skin, the risk to a developing baby or nursing infant is considered to be very low. The official advice is that you should speak to your doctor or pharmacist before using Finacea if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. They can help you weigh the very small theoretical risk against the benefit of having your skin condition under control.

Yes, absolutely. In fact, using a gentle moisturiser is a great way to manage the dryness that can happen during the first few weeks of treatment. The key is to apply your moisturiser after the Finacea Gel has had time to dry completely on your skin. You should also avoid using any other harsh or abrasive products on your face at the same time. This includes cleansers containing alcohol, harsh exfoliating scrubs, or other strong acne treatments like retinoids or benzoyl peroxide.