Freederm Treatment 4% w/w Gel 25g

Freederm Gel is a skin treatment for mild to moderate inflamed acne spots and pimples. The medical term for this condition is inflammatory acne vulgaris which causes inflamed pimples (papules) and spots containing pus (pustules), often with skin redness (erythema) and some tenderness. Acne is a skin disorder that occurs mainly on the face, back and chest.

Freederm Gel is suitable for use by adults, children and the elderly.

The active ingredient in Freederm is Nicotinamide which treats pimples and spots by its anti inflammatory activity, which reduces swelling, redness and tenderness.  Nicotinamide is not an antibiotic, it is related to an essential vitamin in our diet (Vitamin B3).

• Clinically proven.
• Clinically active vitamin B complex.
• Effectively reduces inflammation.
• Fragrance free.
• Cooling effect.

A proven anti-inflammatory for inflamed acne pimples and spots in all age groups.
Acne affects a high proportion of both sexes, most commonly between the ages of 14 and 20, although it can last well into adulthood or even occur for the first time in adults. The early stages of acne often involve blackheads and whiteheads (doctors refer to these as ‘comedones’). These can develop into red or inflamed pimples or spots (‘papules’) which often contain pus (so-called ‘pustules’). In a few severe cases, groups of spots may become very inflamed and form cysts. Acne is a very common skin complaint, affecting about 70% of teenagers. 

What causes acne?

The exact cause of acne is not fully understood, but we do know that it involves the hair follicles in our skin and their associated oil-producing glands (the so-called “pilosebaceous units”). Often around the onset of puberty, hormones stimulate increased production of sebum (oil) by these glands. Although normally this sebum flows out to lubricate the skin, when too much of it is produced it can become trapped within the pilosebaceous units where it forms a dark coloured plug or ‘blackhead’ where the opening is wide, or a light coloured plug or ‘whitehead’ where the opening is narrow. Inflammatory acne begins when a common type of skin bacteria called P. acnes – which is normally harmless – starts to break down the trapped sebum. This process releases chemicals that cause inflammation in the surrounding skin, and leads to redness and the formation of ‘angry’ or inflamed-looking pimples and spots. These feel sore and tender, frequently contain pus and eventually burst open onto the skin before settling down. If the inflammation is deep in the hair duct, or if the spot is squeezed too early or aggressively, the pus can rupture into the skin and cause even more inflammation, and in extreme cases can even cause scarring.

For more advice, please visit us on Instagram @rightdose_uk.

Acne Myths

Although Acne is one of the most widespread skin conditions, it is also one of the most poorly understood. This results is many misconceptions and myths about what causes it, or how best to treat it. Some common myths are listed below.

“Acne is caused by a poor diet.”
So far, research has not found any foods that cause acne.

“Acne is caused by having dirty skin and poor hygiene.”
Most of the biological reactions that trigger acne occur beneath the skin, not on the surface, so the cleanliness of your skin will have no effect on your acne. Washing your face more than twice a day could just aggravate your skin and can sometimes result in worsening the symptoms.

“Squeezing blackheads, whiteheads and spots is the best way to get rid of acne.”
This can often make symptoms worse. More importantly however, it can result in life long scarring. However tempting it is to pop a spot, (and we know it’s tempting!) it’s best not to.

Most people do not have any side effects while using this medicine. However, if you experience any side effects, or anything else unusual happens, stop using it immediately.

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, our Rightdose pharmacists or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.

Do not use Freederm Gel if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to Nicotinamide or any of the other ingredients of Freederm Gel listed.

The product may cause irritation if it gets into the eyes or mouth. If that occurs rinse affected areas with plenty of water. If rinsing one eye, take care to avoid washing product into the other eye.

Freederm Gel is not known to affect, or to be affected by, any other medicines.

You can help to make medicines safer by reporting any side-effects to the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.

Before taking any medication, it is important to read the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL). You can find information leaflets for your medicines by typing them into the search bar at medicines.org, or by contacting us.

Freederm Treatment 4% w/w Gel 25g

Keep it out of the sight and reach of children.

• Always replace the cap tightly after use.

• Do not store the product above 25°C.

• Do not use after the expiry date shown on the tube and carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

• Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste.

Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment. 

Important when treating acne:

• Take care to cleanse your skin thoroughly and regularly, but try not to clean too aggressively as this can make matters worse.

• Many acne patients find their skin becomes excessively dry. If this happens, ask your doctor or a pharmacist about suitable skin moisturisers.

• Carefully follow the instructions supplied with any medication you are using, as this will give you the best chance of clearing your condition.

• When using treatments applied to the skin, you will need to treat all the involved skin area, not just each individual spot.

• Try to avoid picking or severely squeezing your spots because this can make matters worse and lead to scarring.

• Persevere with treatment because it can take several weeks for the skin’s normal repair process to work.

Please read the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) before you start using this medicine and follow the instructions carefully.

Suitable for adults, children and the elderly.

Apply the Freederm Gel twice daily over and around the affected skin areas as follows:

• Wash the area.

• Gently pat the skin dry (avoid rubbing as this may aggravate the skin).

• Apply a thin film of gel, and gently massage it in.

Continue using the gel twice daily in this way for as long as necessary, unless irritation occurs. Depending on the severity of your acne, it can take several weeks for the skin’s normal repair process to work before you see a real improvement.

If there is no improvement within 12 weeks, or if your condition gets worse at any stage, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

If you forget to use this product, just carry on using it when you remember.

This is a medicine. 

Do not use Freederm Gel if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to Nicotinamide or any of the other ingredients of Freederm Gel listed.

Take care when using this product:

• Only apply it to your skin.

• When using it on your face, keep it away from your eyes, and avoid getting it inside your nostrils, on your lips or inside your mouth.

• Depending on how sensitive your skin tends to be, it may be a good idea initially to test the gel on a small area, and wait 24 hours before using it on larger areas. This is especially advisable if you have unusually sensitive skin or if you are treating the face (as generally applies when using any new treatment for the first time).

• If you have groups of spots that are very inflamed and painful causing lots of damage to your skin, you may have severe acne.

Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have an underlying medical condition, are taking any other medication or complementary therapy, or if symptoms persist.

Seek advice before using if you are breastfeeding, pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or suffer from allergies.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Ingredients:

The active ingredient is Nicotinamide (4% w/w).

Also contains:

Aluminium magnesium silicate, hypromellose, citric acid, macrogol lauryl ether, ethanol and purified water.

Freederm Gel is a translucent gel. Each pack contains one tube containing 25g of gel.