Elocon Cream - It Wont Rub In!

[joko]

Ive been prescribed this by a dermatologist, for redness and hyperpigmentation left by burns about 6-7 weeks ago.

However no matter how thinly i spread it, or how much i rub it, it doesnt seem to sink in or rub in.
it just sits there on the surface, leaving a white film.
i'd expect residue of course but 8-9 hours later and i go to put the next lot on - and the last lot is still just sitting there looking exactly the same!

Is this normal for this cream? Is it the titanium dioxide perhaps?
Is there some reason why this happens? can this happen with certain types of skin?

Its also not working - at all.
Its no paler, and every morning its bright red again.

I'm to do it twice a day for a week - 7 days - So 14 applications
I've applied it 8 times so far and its had no affect at all.

No my thought process is -
Weirdly, the first time I applied, it seemed to look a little paler straight away - I was so happy – but no change since then, but, that time id used a facewipe to remove my make up, so my face was clear of any oils etc.
I havent been out since, so not worn any make up, so not used any wipes.
i dont wash my face with soap, mostly just moisturiser or water.

But, i use Wound Healing Ointment, made by Elastoplast, which is a greasy substance like vaseline, and is specifically a protective barrier ointment.
I put this on only at night to help protect it rubbing on the pillow, and so im not getting any Elocon residue on my pillow or in my eyes etc.

But now I wonder if perhaps that was creating a thin barrier to the cream?
As i never 'truly' removed the ointment.
But if this is the reason - does it mean those 8 applications have basically been wasted?

i know 'some' cream would have made it through obviously, as overnight the ointment comes off on the pillow and sinks in etc, but could the barrier residue have made it so hardly anything actually ‘got through’?

I’m wondering if to continue use a little bit longer than 7 days, maybe just another say 2-3, to compensate?
Its on my face, and i know hydrocortisone is only to be used sparingly especially on the face.

Today I’ve used soap to really clear the greasy ointment and oils from my skin.
The elocon is still just sitting there, but too soon to see if there is any difference.

i just want the discolouration to go away! It should have had some effect by now surely!?

Anyone any experience with this sort of thing?
thanks

[Buenchico]

The instructions for using Elocon refer to a 'thin film':
"A thin film of Elocon Cream should be applied to the affected areas of skin once daily"
https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/78/smpc

So, as I read it, you should be using Elocon effectively as a 'barrier' product, rather than instead of (or alongside) one. There's no suggestion in the instructions that it should be rubbed in.

[bookbinder]

I use Elocon on one of my lower legs, because I have vascular eczema. I am 80 years old, but I don't think my age has anything to do with my skin problem. I have used it for at least 16 years, and it has never caused any problems. The affected area of skin on my leg is discoloured, and the GP said that I am "stuck with it". The cream does not remove any of the discolouration, but it does keep soreness under control. I use Elocon twice a day, which is not a problem for me. The discolouration began around my ankle, and it has gradually crept up until it occupies the area of my lower leg that a knee sock might cover. As I said, the discolouration does not diminish, but if I did not use the cream, I would have small, sore patches on the skin. If you wish to know anything else, please post a further question (although it's getting near my bedtime now, so it might be tomorrow before I look in again!).

[Buenchico]

PS: I note that the Elocon contains 'white soft paraffin' (= 'petroleum jelly'), which suggests that it's a sort of 'medicated Vaseline'.

If you were applying Vaseline to, say, chapped lips, you wouldn't expect it to 'rub in', so it would seem unreasonable to expect Elocon to do so.

[joko]

thanks all.

i supposed im just trying to figure why its not having any effect.

the redness is not sore or itchy etc, its just red, and during the day the redness kind of appears more browny tinged

it does seem to have absorbed more since i used soap, though you can still see the cream, its just not like white smears.

it also appears a bit paler.

its hard to tell some times because it goes red again at the slightest touch and gets paler then darker again.

i have emailed my dermatologist to ask, hopefully they will be able to advise whether its safe to add a couple more days, or maybe more days but applying only once a day or something.

[joko]

bookbinder

my derm said this would bring down the discolouration, though mine is surface pigment, whereas yours sounds like it may be a deeper source?

there are skin bleaching creams you can buy if it bothers you, probably wont get rid of it, but may lighten it a little bit, if you paint it on right up to the edges of the patch.
even boots etc sell it.

[bookbinder]

joko, it looks as if we're using Elocon for different skin problems. When I rub the cream in, it is absorbed immediately, and it does not stay on the surface of my leg. It doesn't reduce the discolouration, but it does stop soreness appearing. The instructions do say to use it once daily, but I found that that wasn't enough to keep the soreness away, so I now use it twice daily. As long as I make sure to cover the eczema completely, I'm OK. I'm not bothered about the discolouration, because it's out of sight. Keeping the soreness away is quite enough for me.

[joko]

yes bookbinder, mine is inflammation no eczema, thanks though.

ive rubbed for ages and ages and to be honest it just seems like its drying up rather than going in. i have not been able to make it not leave a slight white film yet, even after hours

however now i have been wiping my face clear it doesnt seem to have made some difference.

maybe because the skin is not mildly 'broken' in the way it is with eczema - its smooth and shiny, no weeping etc - perhaps thats why its reacting differently.
i have eczema elsewhere so i know the texture of the skin so i can see why things would sink in easier

[bookbinder]

Best of luck with your skin problem.