TREATMENT OPTIONS | BENZOYL PEROXIDE

Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Treatment

One of the most commonly used ingredients, benzoyl peroxide can be very effective in treating mild to moderate acne. It's been used for more than 50 years as a trusted and proven acne treatment.  Sometimes, it is combined with other topical or oral medications to treat acne and it's actually been shown to improve results when used with some topical prescription medications.  It's considered safe for teens as well as adults.

 Benzoyl peroxide acne treatment plays multiple roles in preventing and treating acne breakouts including targeting P. acnes, the bacteria that lives on the skin and inside the pores that's responsible for acne.   You may have heard about certain "antibiotic resistant" strains of acne that stop responding to antibacterial or antibiotic treatments.  In many studies, benzoyl peroxide continues to treat p. acne bacteria without becoming resistant. 

Benzoyl peroxide has been shown to contribute to reducing inflammatory lesions and oil production.  And it helps to unclog pores by clearing dead skin cells from follicles to lessen the chance for pore blockages.  By helping prevent pores from becoming blocked and targeting the bacteria that cause acne, it works to prevent breakouts before they occur.  When benzoyl peroxide is at work to clear existing blemishes, it may take 2-3 weeks before you begin to see improvement. 

Because benzoyl peroxide acts as an oxidizing agent - working on the bacteria that causes acne in the pore - some people report feeling their acne has gotten worse during treatment.  Even if your skin responds with some irritation, the idea that a new regimen will make things worse is a common myth.  Slight irritation, like drying, flaking and redness can happen, given the sensitivity of acne prone skin, but the condition shouldn't be getting worse in response to the treatment.  To manage or avoid irritation when starting a medicated acne treatment regimen, start slowly, every other day, and let you skin adjust.  And, pay attention to what else is going on in your life.  Don't overlook the fact that your skin is affected by a lot more than what you put on it.  Hormonal shifts, stress and other disruptions might cause your acne to flare at a time you might attribute the flare up to a new regimen. 

That said, if a product causes burning, swelling and itching that worsens with each use, it could signal an allergic reaction, and you should stop using it immediately. 

If your acne continues - after you've been vigilant on your new regimen for at least a month - it might be time to see a dermatologist.  

In non-prescription form, such treatments offer concentrations of 2.5%, 5% and 10% benzoyl peroxide. More aggressive prescription medications contain different (typically higher) concentrations as well.  Clinical studies have shown that lower concentrations of benzoyl peroxide - 2.5% for example - are just as effective as higher concentrations, with less irritation, for example the kind of irritation associated with 10% benzoyl peroxide formulations. 

With this in mind, researchers identify the lower concentrations of benzoyl peroxide (2.5%) like that used in Proactiv, for treating acne for those with easily irritated skin. 

And, while benzoyl peroxide helps to kill the existing P. acnes inside your pores, it does not increase your body's ability to fight the bacteria when you're not using it. So even when your breakouts begin to disappear, you should keep treating acne-prone areas. Why? P. acne bacteria live on everyone's face. They only cause acne for those who are acne prone.  The bacteria will return. Therefore, if you stop using benzoyl peroxide or any other acne treatment that targets bacteria, the bacteria will return - and so will your acne.

The types of irritation associated with benzoyl peroxide are manageable - especially if you know what they are and the best ways to treat them.  Some common of the side effects people might experience with benzoyl peroxide use include dryness or redness.  Soothing, oil free moisturizers can help manage these effects, while keeping your skin moisturized and healthy while it heals. 

Here are more details about some of the most common side effects associated with benzoyl peroxide:

Dryness: You'll probably experience this most, although it is usually mild. If your skin is visibly scaly, apply a light oil-free moisturizer. If you experience dryness, irritation or dermatitis and are using a 5% or 10% solution, you may want to give your skin some time to heal - then try a lower concentration of benzoyl peroxide.

Irritation: If you experience mild irritation (dry, flaky or sensitive skin), try decreasing the frequency of use. If irritation is severe (itching, burning, swelling that gets worse with each use) or persists even with infrequent application, discontinue use.

Dermatitis: Contact dermatitis (skin that is red, dry, and itchy at the same time) can be due to irritation or an allergy to benzoyl peroxide. Discontinue use immediately and treat with a mild topical steroid, such as hydrocortisone cream (available in most drugstores).

Allergy: Less than 5 percent of people can experience a mild allergic reaction to benzoyl peroxide. To help frame this better, this percentage is similar to the percentage of people who are allergic to penicillin. Benzoyl peroxide allergies are usually characterized by itching and redness. If you think you're experiencing an allergic reaction, consult your dermatologist.  It's also a good rule of thumb to try a small amount of any new acne treatment or other skin care product on a patch of skin before giving it a go on your whole face.  Waiting when you really want results can be hard, but it's better than exacerbating the problem.

Bleaching of clothing: Yes, it's true. You've heard it, you've read about it - it can't be ignored.  Benzoyl peroxide can bleach your clothing and the towels you use - even your pillowcase.   , and you know what bleach does to clothes. Consider wearing old clothes or clothes you don't care about when applying - And don't be surprised if you wake up with some white or pink spots on your pillowcase after going to bed with BP treatment on your face.

Proactiv

Proactiv, the world's #1 acne system, uses Combination Therapy® to directly target the root causes of acne - bacteria, oil production, and dead skin cell build up - to heal and soothe acne-prone skin. Developed by leading dermatologists, Drs. Katie Rodan and Kathy Fields, Proactiv clears existing blemishes, treats inflammation and redness, and prevents new breakouts before they start.

Get the smooth, clear, healthy-looking skin you deserve with Proactiv.