Resorcinol in modern cosmetology: properties and uses

Resorcinol

(Resorcinol, 1,3-dihydroxybenzene) - meta-dihydroxybenzene. Resorcinol has a specific odor. It has the same composition as pyrocatechol and hydroquinone, differing from them only in the relative arrangement of hydroxyl groups.

Receipt

It is obtained by sulfonation of benzene and then alkaline smelting (fusion of 1,3-benzenedisulfonic acid with alkali, in particular sodium hydroxide [1]).

What is characteristic: other para-substituted benzenes, for example, 1,4-bromophenol, 1,4-benzenesulfonic acid, when fused with alkali, give resorcinol.

It is also obtained by oxidation of 1,3-diisopropylbenzene with atmospheric oxygen, followed by acid hydrolysis of the resulting bihydroperoxide to resorcinol and acetone.

Indications for use

Resorcinol is an extremely toxic substance that is used

• seborrheic dermatitis and neurodermatitis;
• eczema, skin itching, sycosis;
• fungal infection;
• alopecia;
• acne.

Seborrheic dermatitis

Eczema

Fungal infection of the foot

Acne

Chemical properties

Resorcinol has the properties of phenols. With alkalis it forms salts - phenolates; with dimethyl sulfate it gives resorcinol monomethyl ether and resorcinol dimethyl ether [2].

When reacting with ammonia, it forms 3-aminophenol. The mutual influence of the two OH groups makes it easy for resorcinol to enter into electrophilic substitution reactions, mainly at position 4(6), and more difficult at position 2. Thus, when interacting with halogens, it forms 2,4,6-trihalogen-substituted. When nitric acid acts on resorcinol, resazurin is formed [3], when interacting with concentrated nitric acid (d = 1.4 g/cm3) and concentrated sulfuric acid, 2,4,6-trinitroresorcinol is formed. With picric acid gives picrate, m.p. 89-90 °C.

Resorcinol easily enters into azo coupling reactions, for example, with diazotized sulfanilic acid it produces resorcinol yellow dye.

It condenses with phthalic anhydride in the presence of zinc chloride (175-196°C) to form fluorescein.

With glacial acetic acid in the presence of zinc chloride at 145 °C it forms acetophenones.

Restores feling liquid and ammonia solution of silver chloride. Color reaction to resorcinol: upon interaction with FeCl3, a dark purple color appears, turning into black. If stored improperly, resorcinol turns pinkish-orange due to easy oxidation.

RESORCIN: instructions for use, price, composition and analogues

Dermatologist of the highest category Inna Vladimirovna

34049

Update date: April 2019

Resorcinol is an antiseptic that has a powerful antimicrobial effect and has antiseborrheic and dermatoprotective properties. Most often used for disinfection in the treatment of skin diseases.

Side effects

Just like phenol, resorcinol formaldehyde, if used incorrectly, can cause a number of undesirable reactions from the body. The most common effects that occur are:

• nausea;
• vomit;
• severe headaches;
• dizziness;
• increased sweating;
• cyanosis;
• increased heart rate;
• spasms and cramps;
• loss of consciousness.

In rare cases, after taking Resorcinol formaldehyde, allergic reactions such as dermatitis, itching and redness of the skin, urticaria, bronchospasm and angioedema may develop.

Drug interactions

Before you start taking Resorcinol, you should carefully read the instructions for drug interactions with other drugs.

Formalin resorcinol is absolutely incompatible with the following drugs:

• Antipyrine.
• Camphor.
• Salicylic acid.
• Menthol.
• Phenyl salicylate phenol.

If we are talking about an alcohol solution or a powder form of the product, then it is incompatible with substances that have an alkaline reaction. In the form of an ointment, the product cannot be used together with yellow mercuric oxide, since the latter completely loses its effectiveness.

Analogs and cost of Resorcinol

There are several drugs that have a similar effect to Resorcinol. The most popular of them is Resorcinol. This remedy has the same active ingredient and has a similar effect.

The average price of Resorcinol in powder form is 200 rubles per package.

Reviews

Reviews about Resorcinol are mostly positive. Here are some of them.

Olga, Saratov

“I used Resorcinol in the treatment of acne vulgaris. The doctor prescribed me a 15% ointment, which I applied to the affected area twice a day. As a result, the acne began to dry out slowly and then disappeared completely. A year passed and I completely forgot about my acne problems.”

Valery, Nizhny Novgorod

“A 14-year-old child was prescribed formalin resorcinol for eczema. They applied it several times a day - it didn’t help. In the end, the doctor suggested choosing a different medicine.”

Igor, St. Petersburg

“Used Resorcinol in powder form as powders. As a result, irritation developed and the treatment had to be canceled. I do not recommend this drug to anyone.”

Maxim, St. Petersburg

“Great product! The doctor prescribed me resorcinol alcohol to cauterize papillomas. Since there were only two, he said that a local remedy would be most effective. And I turned out to be right - I eventually got rid of papillomas once and for all!”

An excerpt characterizing Resorcinol

- What, master, aren’t you sleeping? - said the Cossack sitting under the truck. - No; and... Likhachev, I think your name is? After all, I just arrived. We went to the French. - And Petya told the Cossack in detail not only his trip, but also why he went and why he believes that it is better to risk his life than to make Lazar at random. “Well, they should have slept,” said the Cossack. “No, I’m used to it,” answered Petya. - What, you don’t have flints in your pistols? I brought it with me. Isn't it necessary? You take it. The Cossack leaned out from under the truck to take a closer look at Petya. “Because I’m used to doing everything carefully,” said Petya. “Some people just don’t get ready, and then they regret it.” I don't like it that way. “That’s for sure,” said the Cossack. “And one more thing, please, my dear, sharpen my saber; dull it... (but Petya was afraid to lie) it was never sharpened. Can this be done? - Why, it’s possible. Likhachev stood up, rummaged through his packs, and Petya soon heard the warlike sound of steel on a block. He climbed onto the truck and sat on the edge of it. The Cossack was sharpening his saber under the truck. - Well, are the fellows sleeping? - said Petya. - Some are sleeping, and some are like this. - Well, what about the boy? - Is it spring? He collapsed there in the entryway. He sleeps with fear. I was really glad. For a long time after this, Petya was silent, listening to the sounds. Footsteps were heard in the darkness and a black figure appeared. -What are you sharpening? – the man asked, approaching the truck. - But sharpen the master’s saber. “Good job,” said the man who seemed to Petya to be a hussar. - Do you still have a cup? - And over there by the wheel. The hussar took the cup. “It’ll probably be light soon,” he said, yawning, and walked off somewhere. Petya should have known that he was in the forest, in Denisov’s party, a mile from the road, that he was sitting on a wagon captured from the French, around which the horses were tied, that the Cossack Likhachev was sitting under him and sharpening his saber, that there was a big black spot to the right is a guardhouse, and a bright red spot below to the left is a dying fire, that the man who came for a cup is a hussar who was thirsty; but he knew nothing and did not want to know it. He was in a magical kingdom in which there was nothing like reality. A large black spot, perhaps there was definitely a guardhouse, or perhaps there was a cave that led into the very depths of the earth. The red spot might have been fire, or maybe the eye of a huge monster. Maybe he is definitely sitting on a wagon now, but it may very well be that he is sitting not on a wagon, but on a terribly high tower, from which if he fell, he would fly to the ground for a whole day, a whole month - keep flying and never reach it . It may be that just a Cossack Likhachev is sitting under the truck, but it may very well be that this is the kindest, bravest, most wonderful, most excellent person in the world, whom no one knows. Maybe it was just a hussar passing for water and going into the ravine, or maybe he just disappeared from sight and completely disappeared, and he was not there. Whatever Petya saw now, nothing would surprise him. He was in a magical kingdom where everything was possible. He looked at the sky. And the sky was as magical as the earth. The sky was clearing, and clouds were moving quickly over the tops of the trees, as if revealing the stars. Sometimes it seemed that the sky cleared and a black, clear sky appeared. Sometimes it seemed that these black spots were clouds. Sometimes it seemed as if the sky was rising high, high above your head; sometimes the sky dropped completely, so that you could reach it with your hand. Petya began to close his eyes and sway. Drops fell. There was a quiet conversation. The horses neighed and fought. Someone was snoring. “Ozhig, zhig, zhig, zhig...” the saber being sharpened whistled. And suddenly Petya heard a harmonious choir of music playing some unknown, solemnly sweet hymn. Petya was musical, just like Natasha, and more than Nikolai, but he had never studied music, did not think about music, and therefore the motives that unexpectedly came to his mind were especially new and attractive to him. The music played louder and louder. The melody grew, moving from one instrument to another. What was called a fugue was happening, although Petya had not the slightest idea what a fugue was. Each instrument, sometimes similar to a violin, sometimes like trumpets - but better and cleaner than violins and trumpets - each instrument played its own and, not yet finishing the tune, merged with another, which started almost the same, and with the third, and with the fourth , and they all merged into one and scattered again, and again merged, now into the solemn church, now into the brightly brilliant and victorious. “Oh, yes, it’s me in a dream,” Petya said to himself, swaying forward. - It's in my ears. Or maybe it's my music. Well, again. Go ahead my music! Well!..” He closed his eyes. And from different sides, as if from afar, sounds began to tremble, began to harmonize, scatter, merge, and again everything united into the same sweet and solemn hymn. “Oh, what a delight this is! As much as I want and how I want,” Petya said to himself. He tried to lead this huge choir of instruments. “Well, hush, hush, freeze now. – And the sounds obeyed him. - Well, now it’s fuller, more fun. More, even more joyful. – And from an unknown depth arose intensifying, solemn sounds. “Well, voices, pester!” - Petya ordered. And first, male voices were heard from afar, then female voices. The voices grew, grew in uniform, solemn effort. Petya was scared and joyful to listen to their extraordinary beauty.

RESORCIN: instructions for use of solution and paste, price and analogues

Dermatologist of the highest category Petr Viktorovich
29650

Update date: April 2019

The drug Resorcinol belongs to the group of antiseptic medications. It has an antimicrobial and antiseborrheic effect. The medicine is actively used in the treatment of dermatological diseases in order to disinfect the skin and improve its general condition.

Composition and release form

Resorcinol is available in several forms

A drug with antiseptic properties is available in several forms. Under this name, powder for dilution, solution and ointment are presented in pharmacies. There is also a preparation in the form of a paste, which is also used in medical practice. The resorcinol-formalin therapy method involves the use of this composition.

Resorcinol, produced in powder form, has a crystalline form. It is characterized by a pronounced odor. This product can be easily dissolved in ethanol, water or oil.

The solution has a concentration of 1-5%. It is prepared on a water or alcohol basis. It goes on sale in 25 ml bottles made of dark glass.

The ointment contains from 5% to 20% of the active substance. It is packaged in tubes of 15 g.

The main active ingredient of Resorcinol is meta-dioxybenzene. If you study the composition of the drug in detail, you can find in it a number of auxiliary components that support its dosage form.

Pharmacological properties

All basic requirements for the medicinal use of the drug Resorcinol are contained in its instructions. It also describes the pharmacological properties that this medication has.

The drug has a pronounced healing and epithelializing effect. Thanks to its use, the restoration of affected tissues is stimulated. The product also copes with the activity of the inflammatory process in problem areas. Resorcinol is characterized by astringent and antiseptic properties.

The medication is actively used not only in medicine, but also in cosmetology, since it is able to exfoliate problem areas of the skin and cauterize them. Cosmetologists use it as a powerful scrub that promotes deep cleansing of contaminated pores.

It is recommended to use the medicinal composition as a disinfectant in minimal dosages. The concentration of the active substance should not exceed 0.25-1.5%. This condition is brought forward by the resorcinol-formalin method of therapy.

Indications for use

Acne and neurodermatitis are indications for the use of Resorcinol

A patient who plans to use Resorcinol should be primarily interested in the instructions for the drug. It indicates the main indications for which treatment with this composition is appropriate and effective. Doctors and cosmetologists prescribe the use of the drug in various forms to eliminate the following pathological conditions:

1. Seborrheic dermatitis.
2. Skin itching.
3. Acne.
4. Neurodermatitis.
5. Eczema.
6. Skin fungus.
7. Alopecia.

The resorcinol-formalin treatment method should be prescribed by a competent specialist. Using it for other purposes may result in serious skin damage.

Contraindications and restrictions

For burns, the drug Resorcinol is not used

Antiseptic belongs to the group of safe medicines. Therefore, its use is permitted for most patients who have such a need. Resorcinol manages to suppress the activity of pathogenic microflora in a short time.

However, such therapy will only be harmful to a person who cannot use the resorcinol-formalin method due to the following contraindications:

• burns, regardless of the nature of their occurrence;
• deep damage to the epidermis;
• individual intolerance to the active substance;
• renal or liver failure;
• childhood;
• carrying out hormonal therapy.

It is highly not recommended to use the drug for patients who have overly sensitive skin. She may react negatively to interaction with Resorcinol, which will only complicate the course of the disease.

Use during pregnancy and lactation

If you are breastfeeding, you should avoid using Resorcinol.

According to most experts, women should not use antiseptics during pregnancy or breastfeeding. This is due to the fact that the drug has toxic properties.

Its active substance in a certain amount can penetrate the human body and biological fluids.

As a result, the likelihood of negative effects of the medication on the fetus or newborn child increases.

Side effects

Headache and dizziness indicate side effects

Resorcinol is highly toxic. For this reason, its use may lead to side effects. This phenomenon is due to the large amount of phenol contained in the drug. The patient should be informed about this by his attending physician; he is obliged to warn the patient about the possible development of negative reactions.

External use of the drug can lead to the following adverse reactions:

• burns;
• spasms;
• convulsions;
• headache;
• dizziness.

The development of allergic reactions and loss of consciousness as a result of poisoning with the active substance Resorcinol cannot be ruled out.

Drug interactions

An antiseptic in powder form cannot be used simultaneously with products such as phenol, menthol and salicylic acid. This combination leads to the formation of eutectic (low-melting) compounds and liquefaction of the listed substances.

Drugs that give an alkaline reaction should not be used simultaneously with Resorcinol. An antiseptic is capable of oxidizing them. It is highly not recommended to add even minimal doses of the composition to ready-made ointments.

Instructions for use

Resorcinol ointment should be used as prescribed by a doctor.

Resorcinol must be used as indicated in the instructions for use. Only if this condition is met can successful completion of the course of treatment be guaranteed, as well as the absence of side effects.

Solution

Resorcinol solution must be applied externally to the affected areas. It is best to do this with a clean cotton swab. The dosage regimen of the drug is selected for each patient separately.

If a patient is diagnosed with red acne, he is prescribed skin treatment with a 1% alcohol-based solution. 1-2% product is suitable for the treatment of oily seborrhea, dermatitis and eczema.

Ointment

10-15% ointment is recommended to be applied in a thin layer to areas that are covered with acne and need exfoliation. If a person is sick with seborrheic eczema, then he should combine the drug with sulfur.

Powder

Local skin lesions with genital warts can be conveniently treated with Resorcinol powder. It does not contain unnecessary impurities and acts directly on the problem area of ​​the body.

Paste

The resorcinol-formalin treatment method involves the use of the drug in the form of a paste. For a long time, dentists used it when filling teeth, if the procedure involved incomplete extirpation of the pulp. The paste was used often, since this method of therapy was low cost.

At the moment, dentists are trying not to use paste, replacing it with better and safer products.

Overdose

An overdose of the drug may manifest itself as general weakness

The patient may experience an overdose of Resorcinol if he uses it in large doses. This condition is accompanied by severe weakness, difficulty breathing, tachycardia, headaches and fainting. In case of overdose, seek medical help immediately.

Price and analogues

Fukortsin solution is one of the analogues of Resorcinol

The medicine can be found on sale in any pharmacy, as it is quite common and cheap. You can purchase a bottle of Resorcinol solution for about 80-100 rubles. The ointment costs patients a little more. Its cost is in the range of 270-400 rubles.

If the patient is not satisfied with treatment with Resorcinol, he can use its analogues in the fight against the disease. The drug has a huge number of them. Fukortsin and Fukaseptol are replacing the medication in the form of a solution. Analogues of the ointment are Azulene, Viosept and Hexadreps.

All questions regarding the replacement of a drug with its analogue must be discussed with your doctor.

Contraindications

Resorcinol is a fairly safe remedy that gently kills fungal infections. Despite this, the manufacturer lists the following as complete contraindications:

• deep damage to the skin;
• burns of various nature;
• hypersensitivity and individual intolerance to the components of the drug;
• children under 18 years of age;
• renal and liver failure;
• sensitive skin;
• time of hormonal therapy.