Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid
About
Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid belongs to a group of medicines known as 'skin lightening agents or depigmenting drugs', primarily used to treat melasma (dark brown patch on the skin, liver spots, age spots, freckles) caused by birth control pills, hormonal medicine, pregnancy or any injury of the skin. Melasma is also known as chloasma or mask of pregnancy, is a common skin condition that causes brown patches on the face. It is more common in women than in men. The discoloured (grey-brown) patches occur mostly on the forehead, chin, nose, and cheeks. This medicine also contains sunscreens that help to prevent spots from returning due to exposure to sunlight.
Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid contains ‘Glycolic acid’ works by increases the turnover rate of epithelial cells (cells that line the surface of the skin), eventually helps in peeling the skin and treating comedones (skin-coloured, small bumps due to acne). Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid kills bacteria, reduces inflammation, and unplugs blocked pores. It decomposes to release oxygen when applied to the skin. This oxygen acts as a bactericidal agent and kills Propionibacterium acnes, the bacteria that causes acne. On the other side, Kojic acid prevents the production of tyrosine that is an amino acid required to produce melanin in the body. Melanin is an important pigment of the body that provides colour to skin, hair, and eyes. Both medications in combination provide lightning effects to the skin.
Apply Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid as exactly prescribed by your doctor. Some people may experience dry skin, erythema (skin redness), burning sensation, itching, skin irritation, and skin rash. Most of these side effects of Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Please tell your doctor if you are allergic to Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid or its components. Let your doctor know if you use any prescription and non-prescription medications you are taking, including vitamins, before starting Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid. Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid can make the skin more sensitive in the sunlight; hence always use sunscreen and protective clothing before you step outdoors. Care should be taken while applying Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid on sensitive areas, such as the neck. Please limit the use of products that contain large amounts of alcohol (astringents, shaving creams, or after-shave lotions), hair removal products, and products containing lime or spices while using Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid. It is essential to let your doctor know if you are pregnant, planning to conceive, or are a breastfeeding mother.
Uses of Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid
Medicinal Benefits
Glycolic acid present in Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid helps reduce dullness, dark spots, and signs of ageing like fine lines and wrinkles. It is an exfoliant that helps to shed dead cells of the skin and reveal a brighter layer of skin. It is small in size and goes deeper into the skin to produce more collagen in the skin, which makes the skin firm and reduces fine lines and wrinkles. While Kojic acid makes skin smoother, radiant and even-toned.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid
- Skin pain
- Acne
- Redness
- Irritation
- Burning
- Itching or stinging sensation of the skin
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Avoid smoking or going near naked flames as the fabric (bedding, clothing, dressings) that is in contact with Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid catches fire and burns easily. If you have a sulfite allergy, asthma, have rosacea (redness and often red, small, pus-filled bumps on the face), acne, skin thinning, perioral dermatitis (redness and swelling of the skin around the mouth), genital itching, chickenpox, diabetes, cold sores, ulcerated skin, warts, shingles (a viral infection causing painful rash), eczema (itchy, swelling of the skin) or any other skin condition, inform your doctor before taking Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: No interaction found.
Drug-Food Interaction: No interaction found.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Before using Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid, let your doctor know if have any skin, liver, kidney, and heart diseases.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionThe interaction of alcohol with Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid is unknown. Please consult a doctor before consuming alcohol while using Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid.
Pregnancy
safe if prescribedIf you are pregnant or planning to conceive, please consult a doctor before using Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid.
Breast Feeding
cautionThere are limited studies on how Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid affects the breastfed infants. Please consult your doctor before using Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid if you are breastfeeding.
Driving
safe if prescribedGlycolic Acid+kojic Acid is generally safe to use before and does not interfere with your driving ability.
Liver
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases before using Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid.
Kidney
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of kidney diseases before using Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid.
Children
safe if prescribedYour doctor will prescribe Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid to children if he/she outweighs the benefits over risks.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Avoid sun exposure while using Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid as it may make the skin more sensitive to sunlight and cause sunburn. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen while going out to protect your skin from sunburn.
- Regular exercise can improve your mood and self-esteem though it doesn’t clear spots. Take a shower immediately after finishing the exercise.
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face from sun exposure.
- Avoid using skin products that irritate such as skin cleansers or shampoos, harsh soaps, hair removers or waxes, hair colors or permanent chemicals, skin products with astringents, lime, spices, or alcohol.
Special Advise
- Avoid using Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid for more than 6-8 weeks without a doctor’s advice.
- Please consult a dermatologist if the skin condition does not improve after 2-3 months of treatment with Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid.
- Do not take Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid by mouth. Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid is for use only on the skin (topical use). Accidently if Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid gets in your eyes or mouth, immediately rinse with cold water.
- Do not take Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid if you allergic sulfa containing medicines and have asthma. It is better to contact a doctor in these conditions and take Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Melasma: It is also known as chloasma, a common skin condition that causes brown patches on the face. The discoloured (grey-brown) patches occur mostly on the forehead, chin, nose, and cheeks. Melasma may be caused due to sun exposure, hormone therapy, pregnancy, birth control pills, thyroid, or even stress. It is more common in women than in men. It may occur in pregnant women, due to hormonal changes during pregnancy and is called a ‘mask of pregnancy’ and fades away after pregnancy on its own or after stopping usage of contraceptive pills. It can be treated by using skin lightening creams, topical steroids, dermabrasion, or chemical peels.
Acne vulgaris (acne): It is a skin condition caused when the hair follicles are plugged with oil and dead skin cells. Whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, cysts, and nodules are all types of acne. It commonly occurs in teenagers though all age groups are affected.
Hyperpigmentation: It is a skin condition in which patches of skin become darker in colour than the normal surrounding skin. This darkening of skin occurs when an excess of melanin (hormone), the brown pigment that produces normal skin colour, forms deposits in the skin.
FAQs
Melasma is a skin issue that causes discoloured dark brown patches on the skin. These patches are usually dark than normal skin tone and occur on the forehead, cheeks, chin and bridge of the nose.
PABA is also called vitamin B10, is an organic compound that protects the skin from harmful sun rays. PABA even works well in sweating but does not work when the skin is submerged in water - during swimming.
It has been reported in some patients that Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid may increase the skin sensitivity to sunlight in the treated areas. Therefore, avoid or limit exposure to sunlight and sunlamps. You are advised to use sunscreen and wear protective clothing while going out to prevent sunburn.
You are advised to use moisturizer in the morning every day to restore the fat barrier of the skin that protects the skin from damage. Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid may make the skin more sensitive to extreme weather conditions such as cold and wind. Therefore, wear protective clothing and use moisturizer as required. However, please consult a doctor before using moisturizing lotions or any other products with Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid.
Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid is not used to treat diaper rash as using Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid under child’s nappy enables Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid to pass through the skin easily and cause adverse effects. However, please consult a doctor before using Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid in children.
You are recommended to use Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid for as long as your doctor has prescribed it. However, avoid using Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid for more than 6 to 8 weeks without a doctor’s advice.
Hormonal contraceptives like oral/vaginal birth control pills, injections, implants, skin patches and vaginal rings can cause melasma to get worse. So, it is advisable to ask your doctor about using non-hormonal birth control (condom, diaphragm with spermicide) instead.
You are not recommended to use Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid with benzoyl peroxide, hydrogen peroxide, or any other peroxide products as it may cause staining of the skin which can be usually removed with soap and water. However, please consult a doctor before using other medicines with Glycolic Acid+kojic Acid.
