General description of the medication
Zinc ointment is one of the forms of the drug in which the main active substance is zinc oxide. In 100 gr. white substance contains 10 grams. zinc oxide and 90 gr. Vaseline. Due to the absence of hormonal substances and antibiotics in the composition, the product is considered safe and if it is used, an overdose is not possible. Zinc ointment for acne can be used during pregnancy and lactation.
Why does skin change pigment?
Pigment spots are local darkening of the epidermis of a light or red-brown color, having a varied shape, outlined or blurred edges. They can appear at any age, but most often appear after forty years. The reasons for changes in skin pigmentation can be very different. But the main ones are:
- prolonged exposure to the sun;
- gynecological diseases;
- pregnancy;
- pathologies of the liver and biliary tract;
- chronic inflammation of the urinary organs;
- thyroid dysfunction;
- vitamin C deficiency;
- traumatic damage to epithelial cells;
- consequences of removing skin lesions;
- use of skin irritants;
- skin aging;
- consequences of working in hazardous industries;
- result of taking medications.
One of the ways to get rid of skin manifestations of this kind is bleaching with cosmetics. Among them, ordinary zinc ointment .
Actions provided
Zinc ointment helps against acne, according to users, due to the range of actions it has on the skin:
- eliminates inflammatory processes;
- dries;
- has a disinfecting effect;
- reduces pus secretion and irritation.
The antiseptic property of the oxide is not strong enough to suppress the development of bacteria that cause acne, which is why the instructions do not include such a disease in the list of indications.
When the substance is applied to an open abscess, it covers it with a film (has an astringent effect) and protects the wound from the penetration of microbes - this action is the anti-inflammatory property of the medication.
Zinc oxide is a powder substance with adsorbent properties, so it is able to absorb toxins produced during the life of bacteria and thus have a drying effect.
The Vaseline in the composition is responsible for ensuring that the resulting film remains on the wound for a long time.
How to prepare and apply the mask
Problematic facial skin: treatment of pimples and blackheads
Any cosmetic product should be applied only to dry, cleansed skin. After removing makeup, experts recommend wiping the skin with a swab soaked in Sangviritrin or Chlorhexidine. These are bacterial preparations with a mild antiseptic effect. They are ideal for inflamed skin.
Anyone can prepare a mask using zinc ointment. Most popular recipes:
- With cream. To prepare a mask for the night, zinc ointment is mixed with any usual cream. All ingredients are mixed in a 1:1 ratio.
- With licorice root. A spoonful of licorice powder is mixed with the same amount of zinc ointment. All components are thoroughly mixed until a homogeneous mass is obtained. Keep the mask on for 15-20 minutes, after which it is washed off and moisturized with nourishing cream.
- With clay. To prepare a mask, you can use green, white, black, blue or pink clay. In a glass container, the clay is diluted with water to a paste-like state, after which a teaspoon of ointment is added to it. After mixing, the product is ready for use. The mask is applied to the face and décolleté for 15-20 minutes.
Methods of application
Before using zinc ointment for acne, problem areas of the skin should be prepared by treating them with an antiseptic such as Chlorhexidine , which has also been used for acne. Another tip (according to reviews) is to wash with tar soap before applying the product.
Zinc ointment, instructions for use for acne:
- The product is applied to the entire affected surface in a thin layer or spotwise for a small amount of acne.
- You cannot distribute the drug with massaging movements, since in the presence of pustular rashes, you can aggravate the situation and contribute to the spread of the inflammatory process into the deeper layers of the dermis and into neighboring healthy areas, i.e. both vertically and horizontally.
- The medicine should be used at least 2-3 times a day, the maximum allowed is 6 times a day.
- The holding time is half an hour. Then you should blot the treated areas with a cotton pad and rinse off the residue with warm water.
Some users leave the oxide on overnight due to the inability to apply it during the day. Another tip from reviews is that in order to quickly wash off the greasy substance in the morning, you should first lubricate your face with vegetable oil and then wash your face using your usual foam or gel.
Zinc ointment for acne on the face, which is used using the methods described above, will help cope with the manifestations of acne in the form of slight redness and inflammation. It will dry out the opened abscess and disinfect it, but the product does not eliminate the main causes of acne. It is more effective for single acne that occurs from time to time.
Feedback from users
Many girls have already experienced an active effect on age spots when applying regular zinc ointment. Is a cheap, accessible composition really more effective than expensive ointments, lotions, and miracle creams?
Several opinions:
- Svetlana, 23 years old. Three years ago I used zinc ointment to combat acne. During pregnancy, ugly pigment spots appeared right on the cheeks. A neighbor recommended a proven remedy. It turned out that this was the same ointment that I used to get rid of pimples. I didn’t know that the composition is suitable even for pregnant women. I smeared it on my face three times a day, the spots became much lighter, but they finally disappeared only after the birth of my son;
- Karina, 33 years old. On the advice of a friend, I used Zinc ointment. I had a couple of pigment spots on my hands that spoiled the whole look. After three weeks of daily use, the dark areas were less noticeable. I was pleased that there were no side effects. My friend lightened the freckles on her face with salicylic-zinc paste. It also helps well, does not harm the body, and is inexpensive;
- Alexandra, 27 years old. I remembered about the saving ointment during pregnancy. The face and hands were covered with light brown spots. It turned out that the cheapest remedy would save me - the well-known ointment with zinc oxide. After two weeks of daily treatments, the spots became lighter. I advise you to wear a hat with a brim, covering not only your face, but also your hands, then the likelihood of stains will decrease.
This is how many beneficial properties ordinary Zinc ointment has. Use a product to lighten age spots. You will certainly see the result. Advice from a dermatologist or cosmetologist will not hurt, despite the safety and hypoallergenic nature of the product. Beauty, youth, health to you!
Flaws
A zinc-based preparation is 90% petroleum jelly, so when using zinc ointment for acne, you need to be prepared for the fact that it will cover the skin with a thick, airtight film. This white, greasy layer is extremely difficult to wash off with water.
The drug is also resistant to gels and facial washes. In this case, you can use tar soap, which will not only wash away the product, but will also produce an additional therapeutic effect.
A significant disadvantage of this dosage form is the prohibition on the use of cosmetics during treatment. Women and girls often cannot refuse foundation. In this case this is excluded. You can only use the medication while at home.
Before using a zinc-based product, you should decide on your skin type. The drug is not suitable for those with dry epidermis, as it dries out the skin greatly.
Contraindications
A contraindication is considered to be hypersensitivity to one of the components of the drug, or immediately to their combined effect, which is manifested by an allergic reaction. No other contraindications are indicated in the official instructions for the drug.
Before use, you should consult your doctor to identify a nonspecific response of the body.
A large number of people who have used this product leave positive reviews and attach photos as proof, where the difference is visually visible, which fully confirms: zinc ointment or paste for age spots is effective.
Opinion against
Zinc ointment for acne, the use of which in dermatology is disputed, is not used as a monotherapy. This is explained by its low activity against bacteria that have penetrated the ducts of the sebaceous glands and caused acne and inflammation. Nevertheless, zinc is included in suspensions, mash and pastes, where, along with other active substances, it shows the best results.
To understand whether Zinc ointment helps with acne, you should remember the reasons for their appearance, namely:
- excessive sebum secretion;
- hyperkeratosis (thickening and proliferation of cells in the inner layer of the ducts of the sebaceous glands and hair follicles);
- acne bacteria;
- inflammation.
For acne to appear, all 4 factors must work. Sebum mixes with dead cells and forms a viscous mass that clogs the ducts of the sebaceous glands like a plug. Such an environment becomes very attractive for acne bacteria, which rush into these areas and, as a result of the body’s reaction to their vital activity, inflammation occurs - acne appears.
Hair follicles, where the ducts of the sebaceous glands exit, lie at an average depth of 2-4 mm. Zinc oxide is insoluble in water, which means it cannot decompose into ions that can penetrate deep into the skin, enter the area of inflammation and somehow affect hypersecretion and hyperkeratosis. This can only be done by zinc compounds based on hyaluronate, acetate dihydrate and sulfate, which are dissolved in various solvents. These compounds are included in such drugs as Curiosin, Klin AK and Zinerit, which have proven themselves quite well against acne.
If large areas of skin are affected by acne, all of them should be covered with the drug. In this case, zinc ointment for acne can have a completely opposite effect. Zinc dries, but the sebaceous glands perceive excessive dryness as a danger to the skin and begin to produce even more secretion to moisturize it, which provokes a worsening of the situation.
The product also does not have a detrimental effect on bacteria - one of the main links in the appearance of acne. It creates unfavorable living conditions for them on the surface of the skin, but cannot affect the living conditions in the formed comedones (plugs).
What is zinc ointment
The product, packaged in bottles made of aluminum, glass or polymer, looks like a thick mass of white or yellowish tint. Tubes of the product come in different sizes, so you can choose the format that suits your purposes.
The main component of the ointment is zinc oxide, which makes up 10% of the total volume of the product. How is this component useful? Zinc is a biomineral that is naturally present in various enzymes found in the human body. Therefore, it is easily absorbed and digested.
However, the healing properties of the ointment can be achieved by combining with oxygen. Auxiliary ingredients of the medicine are:
- tocopherol;
- petrolatum;
- retinol;
- menthol.
For example, Vaseline not only improves the distribution of the product on the skin, but also retains moisture in the tissues.
Beneficial properties of zinc ointment
This medicinal product has a wide range of actions. Indications for use of the product are varied:
- bedsores;
- diaper rash;
- scratches;
- cuts;
- abrasions;
- prevention and therapy of dermatitis;
- eczema;
- photocontact dermatitis;
- burns;
- psoriasis;
- small superficial wounds.
The medicine can also be used in the treatment of diathesis, prickly heat, herpes, acne, chickenpox, acne and pimples.
Photo source: shutterstock.com
The secret of the drug’s benefits is explained by the work of zinc oxide, which perfectly dries, disinfects, and relieves irritation. With its help, you can restore the structure of the skin, reduce inflammation, heal injuries, and increase the local immunity of the skin. The substance corrects the process of sebum production and normalizes metabolism in tissues.
It is not surprising that this cream helps with demodicosis and subcutaneous acne. It dries out pustules and slows down the process of wrinkle formation. Using zinc ointment, you can achieve smoothness and evenness of the skin, remove excess fat and redness. Ointment with zinc also perfectly whitens areas with pigments.
Post-acne therapy
No matter how effective the treatment is, acne always leaves traces. These may be pigmented spots or scarring of the skin. Good results from acne marks are demonstrated by two components together - salicylic acid and zinc oxide in the form of a paste. This is a combination drug in which zinc oxide dries, and salicylic acid acts as an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory component and keratolytic. Acid with a keratolytic effect softens the epidermis, causing it to peel.
Along with the horny scales, microorganisms are also partially removed from the surface of the skin. Therefore, the combination remedy is more useful for acne spots than for treating acne directly.
