Benzoyl Peroxide Gel is a treatment for moderate acne. It can be used on its own or along with other acne treatments. The medication is applied topically to the affect areas and works by destroying bacteria associated with acne, as well as causing the skin to dry and peel, replacing it with fresh, blemish-free skin.

This product should not be used in children below age 12.

Treatment Overview

As the name suggests, this product comes in a gel for topical application. Available over-the-counter in lower doses, in most areas a prescription is needed if buying it in 4% solution or higher. Most patients find between 4% and 8% to be effective. Ideally a doctor will determine dosage; otherwise patients should start with lower 4% or 5% gels.

Benzoyl Peroxide Gel is usually applied once or twice per day, though doctor instructions may vary according to personal response. Most patients start seeing visible improvements after three weeks of use, though it will take eight to twelve weeks for acne to be completely cleared up.

To summarize treatment:

• Gently wash and dry affected area.
• Apply a small amount of Benzoyl Peroxide Gel to affected area.
• If applying once per day most patients prefer to do it before bed; if twice per day, morning and evening.
• Continue treatment for up to twelve weeks if needed.
• If no significant improvements are seen after twelve weeks alternative treatments should be considered.

The above guidelines are rough; as mentioned above treatment should be individualized. Some tips to make treatment go smoothly include:

• If the gel hasn't been used before apply a small dab on the skin to ensure no allergic reaction.
• Start treatment by applying the gel just once per day for several days to prevent excessive skin drying.
• If skin becomes very dry, rough, flaky, or starts to peel---all normal side effects---applying a moisturizer several times per day will help.
• Do not apply the gel more frequently or in greater quantity than recommended. It will not help resolve acne any quicker.
• New breakouts can happen several times during the course of treatment as lesions are surfaced. This is normal during the first few weeks.
• After about one month of treatment drying skin, peeling, breakouts, and similar effects will begin to diminish.
• If acne returns some months or years after treatment ends, treatment can be repeated.

Unfortunately Benzoyl Peroxide Gel does require some patience, as it will take several weeks before improvements start to be noticeable. Results are often well worth it though---acne will be completely gone for months, years, or, in some cases, permanently.

Precautions

Allergic reactions to Benzoyl Peroxide Gel are very rare, but do happen. More often some patients are very sensitive to Benzoyl Peroxide Gel but not actually allergic to it. Nearly all patients experience at least a few mild side effects. In many cases these can be told apart only by degree of severity.

Common side effects include:

• Mild tingling or burning when the gel is applied
• Reddening of skin at application site
• Itching at application site
• Very dry skin at application site
• Rough, flaky, or peeling skin at application site
• Tenderness or other irritation at application site

As long as the above are mild they're normal side effects, and most will diminish significantly as treatment continues. There is no cause for concern unless severe or persistant past the first few weeks of treatment.

Patients who do experience the above severely, especially after the first few applications, are likely very sensitive to Benzoyl Peroxide Gel. Treatment should generally be restricted to just one application per day, if treatment continues at all. There are alternative acne products that may be more suitable.

Allergic reactions can be very serious. Warning sings are similar to side effects but quite severe and possibly with a few other symptoms as well:

• Severe reddening or swelling of skin
• Blistering of skin
• Severe itching or rash
• Swelling of face, tongue or throat
• Dizziness
• Difficulty breathing
• Erratic heartbeat

If an allergic reaction is suspected emergency medical attention should be sought.

Some individuals find skin becomes more photosensitive while using Benzoyl Peroxide Gel. Patients should use caution with regard to sun exposure or tanning beds until effects are known.

Effects of Benzoyl Peroxide Gel on unborn or nursing babies are unclear. In general the product should be avoided if pregnant or breastfeeding.