Benzoyl
peroxide is an organic compound in the organic peroxide family.
It consists of two benzoyl groups joined by a peroxide group. It is one
of the most important organic peroxides in terms of applications and
the scale of its production. Benzoyl peroxide is used as an acne
treatment, for bleaching hair and teeth, for
improving flour, for polymerising polyester and
many other uses.
In
order to prevent acnes, you need to treat your whole face with
2.5% benzoyl peroxide solution, not just the blemishes themselves.
Benzoyl peroxide solution (available in most drugstores) will kill
bacteria over the entire surface of your face, not just the pimples you
can see. That is the best way to prevent new pimples from appearing.
The typical concentration for benzoyl peroxide is 2.5% to 10% for both
prescription and over the counter
preparations that are used in treatment for acne. Higher
percentages are available but most people will not need it. Most
clinical studies have shown that 2.5% benzoyl peroxide is just as
effective as 5% and 10% but much less irritating. Some people are
sensitive to benzoyl peroxide and this sensitivity is
characterised by burning, itching, peeling or possibly swelling. If
severe redness and peeling, extreme burning, itching, swelling
and/or rash occur, discontinue use at once and
contact your dermatologist immediately.
It is good idea to start with
a lower strength of benzoyl peroxide (usually 2.5%) to allow your skin
to become acclimated to the benzoyl
peroxide treatments. Move up to a higher strength if sensitive to it
and results are not
seen after several weeks.
If you are using benzoyl peroxide to treat your acnes, your skin will
most likely be dry and in same cases a little flaky. Applying a good
oil-free moisturizing lotion daily will
help you keep your skin in balance and maintain normal healthy looking
skin.
Higher concentrations
of benzoyl peroxide are used for hair bleach and teeth whitening.
Benzoyl peroxide, like
most peroxides, is a powerful bleaching agent. Contact with fabrics or
hair
can cause permanent color dampening almost immediately. Even secondary
contact can cause bleaching. For example, contact with a towel that has
been used to wash off benzoyl peroxide-containing hygiene products.
Jack Breitbart of Revlon laboratories first developed the use of
benzoyl peroxide for treating acne in the 1920s. It is typically placed
over the affected areas in gel or cream form, in concentrations of 2.5%
increasing through the usually effective 5% to up to 10%. Research
suggests that 5 and 10% concentrations are not significantly more
effective than 2.5% and 2.5% is usually better tolerated. It commonly
causes initial dryness and sometimes irritation, although the skin
develops tolerance after a week or so. A small percentage of people are
much more sensitive to it and liable to suffer burning, itching,
peeling and possibly swelling. It is sensible to apply the lowest
concentration and build up as appropriate. Once tolerance is achieved,
increasing the quantity or concentration a second time and gaining
tolerance at a higher level usually gives better subsequent acne
clearance. Benzoyl peroxide works as a peeling agent, increasing skin
turnover and clearing pores, thus reducing the bacterial count there as
well as directly as an antibacterial.
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