Around 10-20% of patients experience side effects including minor and temporary skin irritations such as mild itching, peeling, darkening, stinging and reddening of the skin (irritant contact dermatitis) especially around the mouth and eye areas with these products. Adding a moisturizer or Aquaphor/Vaseline may help alleviate this.
Alternatively, you can consider taking a break from using the medication until your side effects subside (approximately 3-7 days). When you restart treatment, use the medication with a thick moisturizer, such as Aquaphor/Vaseline.
If your side effects do not improve over time, stop using the cream and apply OTC (over-the-counter) 1% hydrocortisone (Cortizone 10) and cut out any other potentially irritating ingredients (alpha- or beta-hydroxy acids, salicylic acid, glycolic toners, retinols, scrubs, etc).
Always reach out to your designated Musely doctor if your side effects persist. How do I message my designated doctor?
If you are concerned about possible reactions, you can do a small patch test by putting a small amount of cream in an inconspicuous area, like the inner arm for a few days. If you don’t notice any reaction, it is okay to start using the cream on the treatment area.
Please seek medical advice immediately if you experience any of the following: severe burning, itching, crusting, or swelling of treated areas (possible allergic contact dermatitis) and any unusual skin discoloration.