Protopic is a new brand of prescription topical acne medication that has recently been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for sale in the United States.
Protopic works by reducing inflammation, the main culprit behind red pimples and blackheads. It does not treat acne directly, but rather suppresses the pimples so they’re less visible. Protopic also reduces oil production, which can prevent future outbreaks from occurring.
Read on to learn more about this new acne treatment, including how it works, potential side effects and precautions you should take when using it.
Table of Contents
What is Protopic?
Protopic is an acne treatment that’s applied directly to the skin, usually on the face. It comes in a gel form, which lasts for two to three months in most cases and is administered once daily. This medication is available only by prescription and is most commonly used to treat acne.
Protopic is a brand name for the acne medication tacrolimus ointment, which is applied to the face or other affected areas to control acne. It works by reducing inflammation, the main cause of acne, and can also reduce oil production, which helps prevent future breakouts.
Protopic is a prescription medication that is applied to the skin once daily in the evening. It comes in the form of an ointment and is applied to the face, chest, back, or other affected areas.
How Does Protopic Work?
Protopic an acne treatment that works by reducing inflammation, the main culprit behind red pimples and blackheads. The active ingredient in Protopic, tacrolimus, helps reduce the amount of oil your skin produces. This, in turn, can prevent future outbreaks from occurring.
Protopic works best when other acne treatments, like benzoyl peroxide or antibiotics, are also used. In most cases it takes two to four weeks before you see results from this treatment.
However, if your acne is particularly severe, it may take three to six months before you see an improvement.
Side Effects of Protopic
The most common side effects of Protopic include:
Proper hygiene is essential for the health of your skin, so it’s important to regularly wash your face before applying Protopic. Limiting your skin care products is also important, as excess products can cause irritation and worsen acne.
Additionally, you should avoid touching your face during the day and always use clean hands when touching your face.
It’s important to note that pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid using Protopic and speak with a doctor before using it if they are under 18 years old.
How to Use Protopic
Before you begin using Protopic, it’s important to wash your face with warm water. This removes excess oils and bacteria that can worsen acne. You may also want to use an exfoliating scrub two to three times a week.
After washing your face, apply a small amount of Protopic to the affected areas of your face. You can also apply it to your chest, back, or other areas that have acne.
Leave the medication on your skin for at least six hours before washing it off. You can also wear it overnight.
While using Protopic, you should avoid touching your face and always wash your hands before touching other people. You should also avoid touching your eyes with your hands.
Is Protopic Right for You?
Protopic is best for people who have moderate acne that’s not responding to over-the-counter acne treatments like benzoyl peroxide. It’s best for those with oily skin, though it can also be used by people with normal or dry skin.
People who are allergic to tacrolimus or other types of immunosuppressants, pregnant or breastfeeding women, people who are under 18 years old, or those taking other acne medications should avoid using Protopic.
Additionally, people with atopic dermatitis or psoriasis should not use this medication.
Bottom line
Protopic is a new brand of prescription topical acne medication that has recently been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for sale in the United States. It works by reducing inflammation, the main culprit behind red pimples and blackheads. It does not treat acne directly, but rather suppresses the pimples so they’re less visible.
Protopic also reduces oil production, which can prevent future outbreaks from occurring. It’s important to note that Protopic is only appropriate for moderate acne and will not treat severe cases of acne.
Additionally, it’s not a quick fix. It generally takes two to four weeks before you notice an improvement in your acne and three to six months for it to be completely gone. Protopic can also cause some side effects, such as itching and burning.
