What is DIFFERIN??

DIFFERIN? (adapalene) is a gel that contains a drug used to treat acne.

What is acne?
Acne is a disease of the oil glands that are found on your face, back and chest. So, your acne can occur on any or all these areas. Acne begins when a plug made of skin and oil forms in the pore of one of these oil glands. The plug appears as a blackhead or whitehead on your skin. These plugs are not due to dirt or lack of washing. Too much washing and scrubbing with strong cleansers will not stop these plugs from forming and in fact may make your acne worse. Any area with acne should be washed with a gentle cleanser. After the plug forms, the oil from the gland cannot get out of the pore and bacteria can grow in the plugged gland. This can lead to redness and swelling of the skin around the gland forming a pimple. Your doctor can explain more to you about your acne if you wish.

How does DIFFERIN? work?
DIFFERIN? or gel works by unplugging your blocked oil glands and by preventing these plugs from forming in the first place. Your acne should improve in 4-8 weeks and you should see more improvement as you continue to use DIFFERIN?.

How should I use DIFFERIN??
Use DIFFERIN? once a day at night before you go to bed. You should first wash your face with a gentle cleanser and blot it dry with a soft towel — do not rub your face. Then apply a thin film of DIFFERIN? to the areas where you have acne. Keep DIFFERIN? away from your eyes, lips and the corners of your nose. Use only the amount of DIFFERIN? your doctor recommends. Using more DIFFERIN? will not make it work better or faster.

Are there any special instructions for using DIFFERIN??
Yes, you should know some other things.

If you are a female of child bearing years, you should only use DIFFERIN? after consulting your doctor about contraceptive counselling. If you are pregnant, you should discontinue use of DIFFERIN?.
Do not use DIFFERIN? if you have eczema or severely irritated skin (e.g., seborrhoeic dermatitis).
Do not be discouraged if DIFFERIN? causes some redness, burning or peeling when you first start to use it (2-4 weeks). This happens when your skin is adjusting to DIFFERIN?’s action of unplugging clogged pores. If these problems continue to happen or if they are getting worse, talk to your doctor.
Before you go out in the sun, use a good sunscreen (SPF of 15 or higher) that is designed not to clog pores (non-comedogenic).
Avoid using oily makeup or creams, products that make your skin dry or peel, and any products with alcohol. These may make your acne worse.
Do not use any other acne medicines with DIFFERIN? unless your doctor recommends them.
Your doctor has given you DIFFERIN? for your use only. Do not allow anyone else to use it.
MEDICINAL INGREDIENTS: Adapalene 0.1%

Further Differin? gel information: GALDERMA Laboratories ? Collis Williams Tel: 244 847, 224 10