Zap Those Zits! - Daniel Durham

 

 Image retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/slopjop/353040644/sizes/m/in/photostream/  and is credited to “slopjob”

Do you struggle with acne and are you sick of trying to treat zits after they happen instead of being able to prevent them? Perhaps you need to try a new treatment method! Benzoyl peroxide is a compound present in many on the shelf acne medications that acts to prevent AND treat already present pimples! It is thought to do this because it prevents the build up of dead skin and sebum in follicles on your face. This buildup can clog the follicle, which causes it to expand or burst. This is what creates those annoying, inconvenient, white heads that seem to pop up on your face at the worst possible times (8).

If you have already given benzoyl peroxide a shot and found that it left you with dry and peeling (or worse!) skin, don’t fret! There are strategies to avoid this. The include lower concentrations of the solution, applying smaller amounts, or using it less often (2). Eventually your skin should become used to it, but as with any medication it simply may not be right for some people. If you fear you are one of those, consult with your doctor for a different plan of attack (2).

While the long complex name may strike fear into you, benzoyl peroxide is actually very well studied and safe. Some of it is ultimately absorbed through your skin, however, as it does it is converted to another very well known substance called benzoic acid, which is actually in many foods (4). Both of these compounds are very well tolerated in the human body (4). The one major caution which should be taken with benzoyl peroxide is not to use it if you have or suspect that you have skin cancer. It does not cause it, but it may make it worse if you already do (9). If you have skin cancer, you should probably worry about getting rid of that before your acne anyways!