How Long Azelaic Acid Takes to Work
Azelaic acid is a treatment option for rosacea and skin conditions involving inflammation and uneven tone. If you are considering using it, you probably want to know when you will start seeing results. The timeline for improvement depends on several factors, including the concentration of the product and how consistently you use it.
Early Signs of Improvement
You can expect to notice the first signs of improvement within 3 to 4 weeks of starting azelaic acid therapy. During this initial period, you may see some reduction in redness and inflammatory lesions on your skin. However, this early improvement is just the beginning of the treatment process.
The First Few Weeks
When you first start using azelaic acid, you might experience some local irritation. Burning, stinging, tingling, and itching are common side effects during the first 3 weeks of treatment. The good news is that these uncomfortable sensations are usually mild to moderate in intensity and tend to decrease as your skin adjusts to the product. Most people find that continuing with the treatment is worthwhile because the irritation is temporary.
Significant Results Timeline
For more noticeable and significant improvements, you should plan to use azelaic acid consistently for 9 to 12 weeks. By the 9-week mark, a substantial portion of users see marked improvement or complete remission of their symptoms. Specifically, research shows that 78.2 percent of patients using azelaic acid 20 percent cream achieved complete remission or marked improvement by 9 weeks, compared to only 31.2 percent of those using a placebo.
By 12 weeks of twice-daily application, about 51 percent of patients using the FDA-approved 15 percent gel formulation achieved marked improvement or complete remission. During this 12-week period, inflammatory lesions typically decrease significantly. In clinical studies, lesion counts dropped from an average of 17.5 to 17.8 at the start of treatment down to 6.8 to 8.9 by week 12.
Extended Treatment Benefits
The improvement from azelaic acid does not stop at 12 weeks. Continuous progressive improvement continues throughout 12 to 15 weeks of treatment, with no plateau in effectiveness during this time. This means that if you stick with the treatment, you will likely see ongoing benefits even after the 12-week mark. Redness reduction, in particular, shows continuous improvement throughout the 15-week treatment period.
How to Use Azelaic Acid
To get the best results, apply azelaic acid as a thin film to affected areas twice daily, in the morning and evening, after cleansing your skin. Consistency is important because the improvements described above depend on regular, twice-daily use.
Comparison to Other Treatments
Azelaic acid performs better than some other rosacea treatments in terms of sustained improvement. Metronidazole, another common treatment, tends to plateau after 8 weeks, while azelaic acid continues to improve your skin through 12 to 15 weeks. This makes azelaic acid a good choice if you want longer-lasting benefits.
What About Hyperpigmentation
If you are using azelaic acid to address post-acne hyperpigmentation rather than rosacea, the timeline is slightly different. Most people start seeing improvement in hyperpigmentation after 6 to 8 weeks of consistent treatment.
Setting Realistic Expectations
Understanding the timeline helps you set realistic expectations. You will not see dramatic changes in the first week or two. Instead, plan for gradual improvement over several weeks. By giving the treatment 9 to 12 weeks, you give your skin the best chance to respond positively. If you stop too early, you may miss out on the significant improvements that come with continued use.
Sources
https://www.droracle.ai/articles/652130/what-is-the-timeframe-for-improvement-of-rosacea-symptoms
https://www.droracle.ai/articles/638441/what-is-the-recommended-usage-and-treatment-duration-for
https://worldofasaya.com/blogs/acne/7-proven-ways-to-fade-post-acne-hyperpigmentation
https://theordinary.com/en-us/azelaic-acid-suspension-10-exfoliator-100407.html
