Is it worth using salicylic-zinc paste against acne?

Where do pigment spots come from?

To understand how salicylic zinc paste acts on dark spots, it is worth remembering the reasons for the appearance of pigmentation. The presence of skin defects can be caused by several factors:

• lack of microelements and vitamins;
• low-quality cosmetics;
• age-related changes;
• taking medications;
• diseases of internal organs;
• hormonal imbalance;
• mechanical damage (cuts, burns);
• tanning abuse.

If the coloring substance melanin is distributed evenly in the epidermis, then the skin color will be almost the same. If a large amount of this substance is produced, hyperpigmentation appears. It may look like freckles, dots and blotches, large spots of red or brown. Typically the defect appears on the cheeks, nose, forehead and cheekbones.

Seborrheic dermatitis. Causes

The main causes of this disease are:

1) genetic predisposition;

2) metabolic processes;

3) influence of the external environment.

In 1874, the French microbiologist L. Malassez first hypothesized that the causative agent of seborrheic dermatitis is the yeast-like lipophilic fungi Pityrosporum, which later received its name in honor of this scientist. Fungi of this species are concentrated in the middle and superficial parts of the stratum corneum, inside and between the horny scales, as well as in the hair follicles.

Until now, both names of the causative agents of the disease can be found in the literature: Pityrosporum and Malassezia. Currently, the role of the pathogen Pityrosporum in the pathogenesis of seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp and dandruff has been confirmed by numerous clinical and laboratory studies.

These yeast-like lipophilic fungi are a permanent component of the healthy skin microflora in more than 90% of the population. Fungi concentrate around the sebaceous glands and use their secretions for growth and development. Pityrosporumovale (P. ovale) or according to another classification Malassezia furfur is more often found on the scalp, and Pityrosporumorbiculare on the skin of the trunk.

Paste composition

The drug contains salicylic acid and zinc oxide. These substances have the following properties:

• reduce fat content;
• prevent the appearance of rashes;
• exfoliate the skin;
• stimulate cell regeneration;
• relieve inflammation.

Some manufacturers include corn starch and petroleum jelly, vitamins, fish oil, lanolin, and preservatives for long-term storage in the formula.

Externally, the paste is a thick ointment of white or grayish color. Sometimes the consistency has a yellow tint. The product is packaged in glass jars or aluminum tubes.

Indications

Salicylic zinc paste is indicated in the following cases:

• dermatitis;
• freckles;
• mild burns;
• acne;
• acne;
• chloasma;
• ulcers.

The paste is also used for children. It helps with prickly heat, diaper dermatitis, and minor injuries.

Mode of application

To whiten age spots, you need to apply the paste to the dark spots. The face should be clean and dry. Do this 4-5 times a day until the desired result is achieved.

If there are acne along with pigment spots on the face, it is necessary to clean and steam the skin, then apply the paste in the area of ​​the rash. This way the ointment substances are better absorbed into the tissue. There is no need to cover the surface with film or gauze.

The treatment period is a maximum of 2 months. It is advised to avoid simultaneous use of the paste with drugs containing the following substances:

• penicillin;
• phenacetin;
• sulfur;
• benzoyl;
• resorcinol.

It is not advisable to use other bleaching agents during therapy.

How to use zinc ointment correctly

The drug must be applied to cleansed skin. It is recommended to pre-treat damaged epidermis with an antiseptic: for example, Miramistin. The required amount of product must be carefully distributed over the affected areas. The procedure should be repeated 1-3 times a day, depending on the problem.

It is not advisable to cover the skin with film, patches or bandages after applying the medicine, so as not to create a greenhouse effect. When using other external medications simultaneously, it is necessary to discuss their compatibility with your doctor.

Contraindications

There are no serious contraindications to the use of salicylic zinc paste. The product cannot be used in some cases. These include:

• individual intolerance;
• presence of open wounds;
• childhood;
• ulcers and weeping wounds;
• pimples and acne of purulent form.

Some manufacturers do not recommend using the paste for boys and girls under 12 years of age. Pregnant women should consult a doctor. The drug is prescribed with caution to people with kidney problems, blood clotting, and stomach diseases.

Summary

Salicylic-zinc paste is an over-the-counter drug that, due to its low price, has long been used for self-treatment of acne. However, there are limitations and contraindications to its use. Namely:

• pregnancy;
• lactation;
• children under 12 years of age;
• individual intolerance to components.

Salicylic-zinc paste shows little effectiveness in the treatment of acne. Zinc ointment and zinc paste, which contain zinc oxide, have the same properties.

The low effectiveness of the product is also explained by the fact that the paste can only affect superficial rashes. The roots of acne lie much deeper - these can be systemic and endocrine disorders, an unbalanced diet and even stressful situations. Therefore, first of all, when dealing with skin rashes, it is necessary to find out the origins of the disease.

In fact, no remedy helps against acne as much as consulting a cosmetologist. Be healthy!

Side effects

In rare cases, the paste causes allergic reactions in the form of burning and itching. In this case, you must stop using the product and consult a doctor. The doctor will prescribe a different ointment and give recommendations regarding the negative side effect.

If salicylic zinc paste interacts with other pharmaceutical compounds, you must notify your doctor. This will avoid unpleasant consequences.

A negative reaction of the body can also be caused by an overdose of the drug. With increased absorption of substances, convulsions, hearing loss, the appearance of hemorrhagic diathesis, nausea, and increased sweating are possible. Applying the product to the mucous membrane is prohibited.

After the expiration date, the paste cannot be used. It can be stored for 4 years after the production date.

Before starting therapy, it is recommended to conduct an allergy test. To do this, apply a little of the composition to the inside of your wrist. If no irritation appears after 20 minutes, you can use the paste.

Reviews and recommendations

Nastya

19 years old, Tula

This is not to say that I have a lot of acne. But 1-2 are constantly present on the face. This is where salicylic-zinc paste comes to my aid. My result is that if the pimple has not yet matured, then when using the paste it will not come to that point, it will simply disappear. But the process is long - it takes almost a week. It took me about the same amount of time to remove the results from the squeezed out blackhead.

Marina

27 years old, Kyiv

I use salicylic-zinc paste only to heal “battle wounds” after squeezing out pimples. Dries well. I tried applying it to a ripe pimple - to no avail. After cleansing your face, it is generally contraindicated to apply it - it clogs the pores too much. By the time the skin calms down, the pores will be unsightly again.

Milan

25 years old, Murmansk

Salicylic-zinc paste has always been in the home medicine cabinet. I have had unhealthy skin since I was a teenager. Following my mother’s advice, I tried to clear up the rashes with this ointment. And I never saw any meaningful results. I think that this remedy will definitely not cope with a hormonal storm. You can try to treat isolated acne, but you should not apply it to large areas.

Svetlana

27 years old, Chelyabinsk

The advantage of salicylic-zinc paste is its low price. But its efficiency is correspondingly low. But in my case, it has the opposite effect. I have combination skin, so a few days after I started using it, my acne appeared more.

Experts' opinions

Dermatologists confirm that zinc can whiten dark spots and can be used as an additional agent as part of a comprehensive pigmentation removal program. The paste itself is not always effective. It is important to identify the cause of the stains. To do this, you need to visit the following specialists:

• endocrinologist;
• gynecologist;
• dermatologist;
• gastroenterologist.

After a medical examination, the doctor will prescribe treatment that will eliminate unwanted defects.

Dermatologists do not recommend using the ointment for a long time. Before you go to the pharmacy for it, you need to consult with your doctor.

How to use zinc ointment for the face

For juvenile acne, it is recommended to apply the drug to the inflammatory elements. You should first remove makeup from your face and wash your face. For acne, salicylic-zinc or sulfur-zinc ointment has a more effective effect, this should be taken into account with frequent severe skin rashes. When treating acne, it is useful to enrich your diet with foods containing zinc and copper: legumes, nuts, beef liver, chicken eggs.

With the initial signs of aging, the ointment can be used as a care product: as a softening, whitening and smoothing mask:

• Apply as a cream, a thin layer to cleansed facial skin;
• the medicine cannot be used under a foundation;
• The application procedure should be repeated 1–3 times a week; more frequent use of the ointment may result in drying out;
• when used as a mask, wash off the remaining ointment from the face after 20–30 minutes, then apply a nourishing or moisturizing cream;
• Avoid applying zinc ointment to the thin skin around the eyes.

If necessary, it is allowed to mix the drug with other cosmetics: aloe juice, sea buckthorn or almond oil.

After applying zinc ointment, you should appear less often in the open sun. Ultraviolet light enhances the drying effect of the drug, which can harm turgor.

Reviews of salicylic zinc paste

Buyers speak positively about the drug. The paste is actively used at home against certain types of pigmentation:

• fresh sun spots
• marks after squeezing pimples
• freckles

In the case of birthmarks, moles, lentigo and vitiligo, the ointment “works” poorly. However, by regularly using this product, you can reduce the negative effects of external factors on the skin.

Thus, salicylic zinc paste has its advantages and disadvantages. The advantages include:

• lightening pigmentation;
• drying out rashes;
• ease of use;
• decreased sebum production;
• low price.

Of the minuses it is worth noting:

• cannot be used under cosmetics;
• has a detrimental effect on sensitive and very dry dermis;
• does not eliminate the cause of stains;
• cannot be combined with certain medications.

The role of salicylic acid in salicylic-zinc paste

Salicylic acid is an anti-inflammatory substance of plant origin. The use of salicylic acid against acne is due to its pronounced anti-inflammatory properties. The list of beneficial effects on acne includes:

• antiseptic properties;
• local irritant activity;
• keratolytic properties.

Keratolytic properties are the ability to cause active exfoliation of the top layer of skin cells. Inflamed skin with an abundance of acne needs such renewal.

The negative aspects of using salicylic acid include its aggressive effect on the skin. Its use in people with sensitive skin is undesirable. It causes excessive dryness and flaking of the skin.

Preventive measures against pigment spots

In order for whitening ointments and pastes to bring the long-awaited effect, it is important to follow preventive measures. Experts advise:

• monitor health status;
• provide skin protection from direct sunlight;
• avoid frequent visits to the solarium;
• do not delay the treatment of existing pathologies;
• eat foods rich in vitamins and minerals;
• consume polyunsaturated acids.

As for nutrition, vitamins A, E, PP and C, B9 must be present in the body. They are contained in the following products:

• vegetables (bell peppers, carrots, eggplants);
• greenery;
• citrus fruits;
• boiled potatoes;
• beef liver.

These recommendations will help prolong the results of removing age spots and make the skin lighter and fresher.

Analogues of salicylic zinc paste

If salicylic zinc paste is contraindicated for the patient, or it is not commercially available, you can choose an analogue:

• Tsindol . The drug contains zinc oxide and provides an anti-inflammatory effect. It is prescribed for burns, bedsores, trophic ulcers, dermatitis and rashes. Tsindol gives the skin an even structure and precisely eliminates skin defects.
• Sudocrem . The product belongs to the group of dermatotropic substances. It has a pronounced antifungal and antibacterial effect. Contains zinc oxide.
• Salicylic ointment . The drug has high antiseptic and wound healing properties. It is used to accelerate tissue regeneration and prevent re-infection.
• Desitin . The cream is used for herpes simplex, purulent lesions, eczema, superficial wounds, and prickly heat. It is effective against pigmentation due to the presence of zinc oxide in the formula.

It is also worth taking a closer look at the drugs Mozoil, Akriderm-Sk, Belosalik, Betaderm A and Betasal.

The role of zinc in the composition of salicylic-zinc paste

Zinc is part of the essential elements of our body. Its deficiency leads to disruption of metabolic processes, growth and development of both children and adults. Scientific studies have shown that people suffering from acne are mostly deficient in zinc, which provokes the development of skin pathologies, including acne.

Therefore, zinc, as well as creams and ointments based on it, are widely used in the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases.

Clinical studies have shown that zinc:

• enhances the production of inflammatory mediators;
• promotes accelerated wound healing;
• has an antiandrogenic effect - suppresses excess sebum production;
• has antibacterial properties;
• capable of enhancing re-epithelialization;
• used in creams to prevent skin aging due to its regenerative properties;
• has photoprotective properties.

Price of salicylic zinc paste

You can buy pasta at a price of 20-25 rubles. In some cities the cost reaches 45-65 rubles. The price tag varies depending on the region of purchase and the manufacturer. On sale you can find drugs produced by Pharmstandard and the Moscow Pharmaceutical Factory. The ointment is sold without a doctor's prescription.

To summarize, it is worth saying that salicylic zinc paste helps get rid of age spots without serious financial costs. The main thing is to remember the side effects, follow preventive measures and caution.

Salicylic-zinc tandem

Salicylic-zinc paste is a viscous, thick ointment based on white petrolatum, containing zinc oxide in a 25% concentration.

Are there any advantages to the salicylic-zinc tandem? Dermatological studies indicate the undoubted benefits of using zinc and salicylic acid against acne separately.

However, in the composition of the paste, these ingredients may no longer act as a united front against acne. Moreover, salicylic-zinc paste is prepared on a fat basis and can potentially lead to blockage of the sebaceous glands and increase the severity of inflammatory processes.

Salicylic-zinc paste is recommended to be applied to the affected skin surface 1-2 times a day.