Do topical creams get into the bloodstream?

Topical medications are medications that are applied directly to the skin to treat various conditions. Topical medications are available in many forms such as creams, oils, gels, ointment, pastes, powders, and sprays.

Pain, swelling, and infection are treated with topical drugs. These medications are usually used to treat minor conditions non-invasively.

The main difference between topical and oral administration is that medications with a topically applied formulation are applied to the skin instead of being consumed orally.

The same medication doesn’t work for everyone that’s why Allaymeds is here to help you. We create products based on individual needs.

Compounded pain cream

Topical pain medications that have been compounded can be created by prescription to meet your unique needs or to address general needs. One advantage of using compounded pain creams is that they may be less harsh on the digestive system and don't always have the same strong side effects as many oral painkillers.

What does compounded cream do?

Compound pain creams work by delivering pain-relieving chemicals to the body's sore tissues through the skin. They might have special combinations of the active ingredients:

• Creams used for anesthesia (pain relief) may contain cannabinoids, tetracaine, lidocaine, or benzocaine (CBD)
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as diclofenac, ketoprofen, or ibuprofen may be contained in anti-inflammatory creams.
• Ingredients such as tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline are used in neuropathic pain creams.

Inactive ingredients that affect the cream’s shelf stability, and thickness are as follows-

• Agar or silica, are suspension ingredients that have an impact on a cream's spreadability.
• Emollients that help in the flow of active chemicals through the skin, such as canola oil or almond oil.

In compounded medications ingredients quantity can be changed according to specific requirements. People can desire a specific ingredient combination, which creams can facilitate.

Tips for compounded pain cream

• Clean the area where you want to apply the cream. Avoid areas that have cuts, burns, or damage.
• Avoid contact with eyes, use gloves to apply the cream.
• Allow enough time for your cream to absorb completely.
• If you use a compounded cream at the same time as NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), you might unintentionally take too much of them.
• Be careful where you are using the cream. Avoid areas where the skin is thinner such as the face.

Can creams be absorbed through the skin?

According to some blogs, 60% of the components in your skincare products are absorbed into your bloodstream. The belief that a significant amount of the substances in our skincare products are absorbed into our blood just isn't accurate because the skin's main job is to protect us. There are, however, some exceptions, as we will discuss. Let's start with what is the function of the skin.

The function of the skin

Skin acts as a protective barrier to the body, stopping the absorption of certain materials or microorganisms. It also assists in controlling body temperature.

Our skin has multiple layers, each of which contributes to the body's protection in a distinct way. The outer layer is called the epidermis, which contains skin cells corneocytes. This skin layer is essential to your health because it protects your body from external hazards and keeps you moist and hydrated by shielding the water inside your body.

The dermis, or the second layer, is composed of elastic collagen fibers. This layer's functions include defending the skin's deeper layers and helping in thermoregulation, which regulates body temperature.

The subcutaneous layer, also known as the hypodermis, is the skin's deepest layer, and it primarily consists of fat and connective tissue to protect your bones and joints.

How well do skincare products absorb into the skin?

The main role of the skin is to act as a barrier, so not every skincare product will absorb into it like a sponge. Transdermal medications and cosmetics require extensive testing, research, and development because it is not as simple to apply something to your skin and expect it to penetrate.

How the product is absorbed by the skin depends on its composition and dosage. The skin’s outermost part is made of oils (phospholipid bi-layer). So oil soluble products penetrate more easily than water-soluble ones. Molecular size also plays an important role. Smaller molecules can penetrate deeper than larger molecules, which stay on top of the skin. However, just because a compound can't penetrate the skin doesn't mean it doesn't have any advantages.

Another important factor is where you are applying the product. Your skin's permeability will vary depending on where on your body it is thickest.

Your skincare would need to go through a number of procedures and layers of the body in order to enter into the bloodstream.

However, studies reveal that with the transdermal medication treatments currently available on the market, 10 to 95% of the medicine remains on the skin's surface. The most strong substances, such as the steroid hydrocortisone, require a high dosage and years of regular administration before they may enter the bloodstream through the skin.

When used appropriately, and since this is what your skincare products are intended to do, you can assume that they're getting properly absorbed into the skin.