Duac Gel Treatment

What Is Duac Gel?

Duac is a treatment for mild to moderate acne. It is available in gel form and contains two active ingredients - clindamycin, an antibiotic; and benzoyl peroxide, an antibacterial and keratolytic (peeling) agent, these 2 ingredients work together to kill the ACNE bacteria and minimise blackheads and whiteheads.

How Do I Use Duac Gel?

Gently wash the affected area with a mild cleanser and make sure the skin is completely dry afterward. Apply a small amount of gel to the entire affected area/s each evening and rub in. Ensure to wash your hands after each application. Allow the gel to dry on the skin, do not wash it off.

How Long Will It Take To Work?

After 2-5 weeks you should notice an improvement in your skin with daily use, with the maximum benefit visible in around 8-12 weeks. Treatment should only be continued up to a maximum of 12 weeks.

What Is Acne Vulgaris?

Acne vulgaris is the skin condition in which hair follicles and their accompanying sebaceous glands are blocked and/or inflamed. Sebaceous glands are the glands responsible for the production of oil. The hair follicles are clogged by the dead skin cells and excess oil forming spots of acne.

Directions for Duac gel use

You have to follow your doctor’s instructions about how to use Duac gel and the duration of treatment.
Remember that if you apply Duac gel more often, you won’t get more benefit; however, you increase the risk of side effects.

• Wash the affected area well with warm water and dry it gently.
  With your fingertips, apply a thin layer of Duac gel on the affected area only once in the evening.
• It is better to apply Duac gel at the same time every day.
• Don’t forget to wash your hands after applying the gel.
• As with any other acne medication, you have to be quite patient to see the full effect, it usually takes 4-6 weeks to get satisfying results.
• The case may worsen at the beginning, it will improve by continuing treatment.

What is Duac Gel? 

Duac gel is a combination topical preparation contains clindamycin (a lincosamide antibiotic) and benzoyl peroxide. 

What is Duac gel used for? 

Duac gel is used for the treatment of inflammatory acne vulgaris. 

How to use Duac gel? 

Apply a thin layer of Duac gel on the affected skin after washing it with warm water. 

Dry your skin before applying Duac gel. 

Apply it once daily in the evening. 

Causes of ACNE

There is a strong relation between ACNE formation and hormonal changes that occur at puberty. These hormones have two roles in acne. On one hand, they activate specific glands located adjacent to hair follicles under the skin, and this activation causes the glands to produce more an oily material known as “abnormal sebum”. The abnormal serum, in turn, activates certain bacteria that causes inflammation and pus formation.

On the other hand, the hormones thicken the inner lining of the hair follicles causing pores blockade (blockade of the opening of the hair follicles).

ACNE formation factors 

Four factors are involved in acne formation:

1. The activity of certain hormones at puberty (androgens).
2. Excess oil production by the glands under the skin (sebaceous glands).
3. Bacteria (a specific type called P. Acnes).
4. Blockade of hair follicles by oil and dead skin.

 Face, forehead, chest, upper back and shoulders are the most common areas to have acne due to the presence of more sebaceous (oil-producing) glands that are connected to the hair follicles.

 Triggers that cause ACNE flare-ups:

• Many women have acne during the first pregnancy trimester.
• Adult women may have acne at certain times due to hormonal changes, they may have flares of acne just before the period.
• Women with polycystic ovary syndrome suffer usually from acne and weight gain.
• Stress
• Spicy food, chocolate, skim milk and high-carbohydrates food.
• Some cosmetic products of low quality.

Medications that cause ACNE flare-ups:

Many medications aggravate acne, including:

• Antiepileptics (Phenytoin, Carbamazepine and Phenobarbital).
• Cyclosporine.
• Oral corticosteroids.
• Testosterone.
• Anabolic steroids.
• Antidepressants (Lithium)
• Antituberculous drugs (Isoniazid and Rifampicin).

Side effects of Duac Gel

• You cannot use Duac gel if you are allergic to any of its active or inactive ingredients.
• Duac gel may increase your skin sensitivity to the sun, sunscreen is important.
  Common side effects of Duac gel are dry skin, skin burning sensation, itching, skin pain and increased
• sensitivity to sunlight.
• Duac gel has other uncommon side effects; therefore, you should tell your doctor if you notice any other side effect.

• Duac gel is an effective combination-topical product
• A thin layer on Duac gel daily in the evening is enough
• Duac gel treats inflammatory acne vulgaris effectively
• Contains strong antibiotic action