Published: July 20, 2017
Problematic skin, prone to acne, negatively affects a person’s appearance and is often the cause of complexes that limit communication. The cause of rashes can be lifestyle, eating habits, but most often acne occurs due to increased activity of the sebaceous glands and improper care.
You don't have to use expensive products to get rid of acne. Boric acid has been used for acne and other dermatological problems for decades; a cheap drug from a pharmacy has proven itself well.
Using boric acid for acne
Everyone knows how useful alcohol is, because many anti-acne medications and lotions contain borax. It helps to destroy bacteria on the surface and improve the functioning of strong glands without causing skin irritation. It is worth remembering that alcohol in high concentrations is dangerous for the skin of the face.
Advantages
The main advantage is, of course, the affordable price. Even if an inexpensive remedy does not help in some case, you will at least be able to save money. Another advantage is versatility and ease of use. The solution is suitable not only for treating the skin of the face, but also almost the entire body. It is equally important that official medicine and cosmetology do not prohibit the use of alcohol at home.
Description of dosage forms
Available in three types:
- A powdery substance is directly a powder for external use, available in sachets of 2 g, 10 g or 20 g;
- Solution - alcohol solution 100 ml, boric acid 3 g. Sold in bottles of 10 ml, 25 ml and 40 ml;
- Ointment 5% - sold in jars and tubes of 25 g, boric acid content in the ointment - 50 mg.
Boric powder Boric acid solution Boric ointment
Indications for use
This antiseptic takes first place in medicine and cosmetology, as it shows excellent results in the fight against skin diseases. What can be cured:
- black dots;
- pigmentation;
- purulent rash;
- increased oily skin;
- dermatitis;
- eczema;
- fungus.
Sakania Luiza Ruslanovna
Dermatovenerologist, cosmetologist, trichologist
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In addition, for infectious inflammation of the conjunctiva and otitis media, boron-zinc drops for the eyes or ears are indicated. A few more indications for use: increased sweating, scabies, excess facial hair.
Contraindications
The use of the drug is prohibited if the integrity of the skin or mucous membranes is damaged. For example, it is better to treat the wound around it; getting borax inside will cause severe irritation and burning. You will have to refuse the product in the following cases:
- hypersensitivity of the drug components or individual intolerance;
- pregnancy;
- breast-feeding;
- diseases of the urinary system (renal failure);
- children up to 14 years of age.
For a person prone to intolerance to components, all acne products with borax are not suitable. Before first use, it is recommended to apply a little medicine to detect an allergic reaction.
Side effects
Despite its effectiveness, the drug can cause serious harm. Almost all negative effects are associated with the absorption of the main components into the bloodstream. Possible disorders:
- digestive tract: vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, acute pain in the abdominal area;
- CNS: headaches, seizures, confusion or loss of consciousness;
- cardiovascular system: decreased blood pressure, tachycardia;
- urinary system.
Local side effects include skin irritation, redness and peeling. Swollen spots (as if after contact with nettles) and rashes may appear; Quincke's edema rarely develops.
Precautionary measures
To prevent side effects, you must follow the rules. Usually there are no instructions for the drug (or they are not clear), and many do not know what alcohol to wipe their face against acne. For processing, it is better to opt for a 3% antiseptic. It is strictly forbidden to take the solution internally or treat the entire body or a large area at once. Pure alcohol or powder should never be used to lubricate the mucous membranes.
It is not advisable to exceed the permissible dosage to avoid skin irritation. If discomfort or deterioration in well-being occurs during therapy, you should stop treatment and consult a specialist.
How to use against rashes
Take a cotton swab and now dip it in alcohol. Wipe your skin thoroughly. Especially where there are inflamed areas on the face. Do not expect the improvement to be noticeable immediately, but after 7 days you will realize that the number of acne has become smaller and there are few new ones. Zinc paste has a similar effect by drying the skin. Levomycetin has a deeper effect on the skin.
Boric is used to:
- Remove any inflamed comedones;
- When there are a lot of acne on the face;
- Increased sebum secretion on the skin.
The skin does not get used to this product. Therefore, it can be used daily. It perfectly cleanses pores of excess sebum released from the pores. Sebaceous plugs will not occur with regular use of such alcohol. Tetracycline for acne is also good for this purpose. At the same time, take Acyclovir orally for acne.
Small comedones are cauterized and do not develop into large abscesses. In addition, try Klerasil for acne. Teenagers especially love it. They are willing to buy and zinc paste helps them. Teenagers can also use Curiosin for acne.
Mode of application
Buy boric alcohol 3% at the pharmacy. Cleanse pores of oil 2 times a day. This product is suitable for you if your skin type is oily or combination and also prone to acne. Do you have a dry skin type and similarly develop comedones and various ulcers? You should not overdry it, so use it once a day. Zinc paste can also be used once a day.
The effects of boric acid on facial skin
A three percent solution can cope with inflamed acne, increased oiliness and blackheads. More suitable for oily or combination face types. A moisturizing cream or gel will protect dry and sensitive skin from flaking.
Before burning a pimple, you should thoroughly clean your face of dirt and makeup residues, wash your face and wipe the dermis dry. If the rash bothers you, then apply the drug to it using a bandage. A single inflammation is cauterized with a cotton swab, holding it on the acne for 10-20 seconds. To normalize the functioning of the sebaceous glands, you need to lubricate the T-zone (forehead, nose) with a cotton pad soaked in alcohol. It is important to avoid the skin around the eyes and lips. After treatment, do not wash off the acne remedy; it is advisable to do this after morning water treatments and before bed. Therapy is continued until the acne disappears completely, and also for some time after. This will help prevent recurrent breakouts.
Precautionary measures
Boric acid does not pose any danger if you use it for acne for reasonable purposes and follow the required dosages. Do not use acid internally, apply it to open wounds, or allow children to use it.
Important! Acid entering the oral cavity can lead to incurable consequences. If the product is swallowed, seek medical attention.
The product must be stored in a cool, dark place out of the reach of children. When using masks, avoid getting the product in your eyes. In case of redness, irritation and other unpleasant manifestations on the skin, masks, lotions and other compositions based on boric acid are recommended to be immediately washed off with water at room temperature.
Effective recipes
Over the many years of the product’s existence, several recipes have been invented that definitely work. You can make them yourself or buy them at the pharmacy. For preparation, chloramphenicol, zinc sulfate, erythromycin, antibiotics and other components are chosen.
Boric acid and chloramphenicol
Often, chloramphenicol mash against acne is used as a complex therapy with other drugs.
You will need 2 g of chloramphenicol, sulfur and aspirin, 100 ml of 95% alcohol, 1 g of powder. All components are poured into the liquid in crushed form and mixed, the medicine is stored in a dark, closed container. The drug is used to spot treat acne every evening, shaking the medicine.
Boric acid with erythromycin and zinc
Another powerful anti-acne remedy. It is enough to take 4 g of zinc oxide and erythromycin, 50 ml of a two percent solution of borax and the same amount of salicylic alcohol (2% concentration). Mix all components together to obtain a homogeneous mass. Use locally on inflamed areas, therapy is stopped after 2-3 weeks.
Boric and salicylic acids
To prepare a lotion against oily shine and blackheads, mix 50 ml of alcohol. Treat the skin 2 times a day, avoiding the area around the eyes and lips. After use, do not wash off, but after 10-20 minutes you need to lubricate the dermis with a nourishing cream. Many people add a mixture of acids to various masks; keeping them on for more than 10 minutes is not recommended.
Anti-blackhead mask with boric acid
Open or closed comedones look unpleasant, and removing them yourself often leads to a rash on the face. You can prevent this by using a mask with antiseptic for blackheads. Components:
- boric solution - 5 ml;
- soda - ½ tsp;
- rolled oats - 2 tbsp. l.;
- kefir - 125 ml.
Grind the flakes into crumbs, mix with soda and antiseptic. Pour in kefir and mix thoroughly until smooth. Apply the mask to your face and wait until it dries completely, then rinse with warm water. Repeat no more than 3 times a week.
Whitening mask
Pigmentation and acne marks will disappear after a whitening mask. You can also resort to it for pigmentation on the face, as in the photo. The only ingredients you need are fresh cucumber and ½ tsp. antiseptic 3 percent. Peel the cucumber, grate it and combine with the second component. Spread the mask evenly and leave on for 20-25 minutes, then rinse and apply moisturizer. After several procedures, the dermis will become soft and healthy in color.
Boric acid with antibiotic
Acne caused by microorganisms quickly spreads across the face. They can be cured with antibiotics; one of the popular ones is streptocide against spots on the body:
- borax and salicylic solutions - 50 ml each;
- 5 tablets of streptocide;
- sulfur - 7 g.
Crush the tablets with a spoon to form a powder. Mix with sulfur and liquids, shake well. Apply the mixture with a cotton swab to the inflamed areas of the skin and do not rinse off. If there is tightness or dryness, use a moisturizer.
Contraindications and possible adverse reactions
Before using boric acid to care for problem skin, you need to familiarize yourself with the contraindications. The product is not suitable:
- for very dry skin;
- if you are allergic to boric acid or another component of the mash or mask;
- with inflammation of a large area with open lesions;
- for liver and kidney diseases.
Due to its high toxicity, boric acid is not used for the treatment of dermatological diseases in children under 12 years of age, pregnant women and nursing mothers.
An adverse reaction to the use of boric acid may be increased dryness of the skin and flaking.
With prolonged use of the product, as well as when treating large areas of the body, intoxication is possible. Its signs:
- headache;
- weakness;
- nausea (rarely vomiting);
- decreased urine output.
If these signs appear, you should stop using boric acid and replace it with another product.
Overdose
Indicators of overdose due to unintentional ingestion:
- General poisoning: vomiting;
- stomach ache;
- diarrhea;
- erythematous rash;
- diseases of the central nervous system;
With prolonged use, chronic intoxication is observed:
- Eczema;
- Stomatitis;
- Anemia;
- Convulsions;
- Kidney and liver diseases;
- Jaundice.
In case of overdose, consult a doctor immediately.
The use of the drug internally is prohibited, it is very toxic.
special instructions
When using Boric acid, you should adhere to several rules:
- Boric acid is a chemical substance , so it should not be allowed to come into contact with mucous membranes, so as not to “burn” the mucous membrane;
- Do not use the substance on large areas of skin. This can lead to signs of intoxication: allergies;
- eczema;
- swelling;
- disruption of the menstrual cycle in women;
Let's look at the most effective moisturizing masks.
Herbal mask
Compound:
- St. John's wort;
- Yarrow;
- Chamomile;
- 2 yolks;
- Half a teaspoon of honey;
- A teaspoon of lemon juice.
Mode of application:
- we carefully grind the herbs;
- leave in boiling water;
- wait for the broth to cool down;
- add 2 egg yolks and lemon juice with honey;
- This mask can be applied once every 7 days for half an hour.
Carrot mask
Compound:
- Carrot;
- Egg yolk.
Mode of application:
- grate carrots;
- mix with egg yolk;
- apply the mask to dry areas of the dermis;
- wash off after half an hour;
- This mask will perfectly moisturize and refresh your face.
Cucumber mask
Compound:
- Cucumber;
- Cream;
- Rose water 20 ml.
Mode of application:
- grate the cucumber;
- we use only the juice that remains from the cucumber mixture;
- mix the juice with cream and rose water;
- apply to dry areas of skin for half an hour;
- a fabric mask will moisturize and soothe the inflamed epidermis.
Tomato mask
Compound:
- Tomato;
- Olive oil;
- Starch 5 g.
Mode of application:
- chop the tomato, having previously peeled it;
- To make the mask thicken, add starch and a few drops of oil;
- mix everything and apply to the skin;
- wash off after 15 – 20 minutes;
- This mask can be repeated once every 7 days.