General introduction:Azelaic acid is a saturated dicarboxylic acid found naturally in wheat, rye, and barley. It is a natural substance that is produc…

General introduction:Azelaic acid is a saturated dicarboxylic acid found naturally in wheat, rye, and barley. It is a natural substance that is produced by Malassezia furfur (also known as Pityrosporum ovale), a yeast that lives on normal skin. It is industrially produced by the ozonolysis of oleic acid. It is effective against a number of skin conditions, such as mild to moderate acne, when applied topically in a cream formulation of 20%. Azelaic acid may be useful as a hair growth stimulant, although at present there are no clinical studies to confirm its efficacy.Properties:Antibacterial: it reduces the growth of bacteria in the follicle (Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis).Keratolytic & comedolytic: it returns to normal the disordered growth of the skin cells, lining the follicle.Scavenger of free radicals and reduces inflammation.Reduces pigmentation: it is particularly useful for darker-skinned patients, who have melasma, or whose acne spots leave persistent brown marks known as actinic lentigines. (per the product insert: "There have been reports of hypopigmentation after use of azelaic acid. Since azelaic acid has not been well studied in patients with dark complexions, these patients should be monitored for early signs of hypopigmentation.")Non-toxic, and is well tolerated by most patients.Azelaic acid does not result in bacterial resistance to antibiotics, reduction in sebum production, photosensitivity (easy sunburn), staining of skin or clothing, or bleaching of normal skin or clothing.Because 20% azelaic acid can be a skin irritant, it should be used only when prescribed by a physician.