Benzoyl peroxide for acne

About benzoyl peroxide

El acné es la causa común de las manchas. La mayoría de las personas con acné tienen entre 12 y 25 años, pero también las hay de más edad y más jóvenes. Las pequeñas glándulas sebáceas se encuentran justo debajo de la superficie de la piel y producen una grasa (sebo) que mantiene la piel flexible y suave. Los pequeños poros de la piel permiten que el sebo salga a la superficie. En el acné, algunos de estos poros se obstruyen, provocando pequeños granos, espinillas y puntos blancos.

Benzoyl peroxide has three actions - it kills germs (bacteria), it reduces inflammation and it helps to unplug blocked pores. You can buy 5% benzoyl peroxide gel or liquid wash (Acnecide®) without a prescription at a pharmacy.

Benzoyl peroxide is also available in combination preparations used for acne. It can be combined with an antibiotic called clindamycin (brand name Duac® Once Daily), or with another medicine used for acne, called adapalene (brand name Epiduo®). Both of these preparations need to be prescribed by a doctor, and should be used as directed by the doctor.

Before using benzoyl peroxide

To make sure that this is the right treatment for you, before you start using benzoyl peroxide it is important that your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, although benzoyl peroxide is not known to be harmful in pregnancy.

• If you are taking any medicines, or using any other skin preparations. This includes any which are available to buy without a prescription, as well as herbal and complementary medicines.

• Si alguna vez ha tenido una reacción alérgica a un producto para la piel.

How to use benzoyl peroxide

• Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about benzoyl peroxide and will provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you could experience from using it.

• It is recommended that you use benzoyl peroxide products once or twice each day. If you have sensitive skin or you experience excessive skin redness or peeling, just use the product once each day at night time.

• You should apply benzoyl peroxide to the whole of the area where your spots occur and not just to each spot.

• Benzoyl peroxide 5% gel should be applied about 15 minutes or so after washing the area with soap and water and gently drying with a towel. At first you may want to wash the preparation off after a few hours, but gradually try to increase the length of time you leave it on the skin. When your skin is used to the preparation, aim to put it on twice a day and leave it on.

• Do not use excessive amounts of gel. Applying too much gel will not be any more effective but is likely to cause more side effects.

• If you are using benzoyl peroxide 5% 'wash', wet your skin and then pour some of the liquid wash on to your hands and use it to wash the affected areas. Leave it on for a minute or so before you rinse it off. Then dry the area gently with a towel.

• As you apply benzoyl peroxide, try to avoid getting it on the sensitive areas of your skin in or around your nostrils, your eyes and your mouth. Do not apply it to any areas of skin which are irritated or sore.

Aproveche al máximo su tratamiento

• Se recomienda utilizar un jabón suave y agua tibia para lavarse. No se pueden limpiar los puntos negros. La punta negra de un punto negro es en realidad un pigmento de la piel y no se puede eliminar limpiando o restregando.

• Si la piel se reseca mucho, puede ser útil utilizar una crema hidratante (preferiblemente sin perfume y a base de agua). No utilices pomadas ni cremas ricas en aceite, ya que podrían volver a obstruirte los poros.

• Try not to get any benzoyl peroxide on your hair or clothing, as it can cause bleaching.

• Benzoyl peroxide can cause some people's skin to become more sensitive to sunlight than normal. Avoid strong sunlight, or use a sun cream with a high sun protection factor until you know how your skin reacts. Do not use sunbeds.

• Continue with the treatment for at least six weeks before deciding if it is working for you or not. The most common reason for treatment failure is giving up too soon, thinking that the treatment is not working. If, however, your skin has not improved after two months then make an appointment to speak with your doctor who will advise you about other suitable preparations to try.

• Once your spots have cleared, acne commonly flares up again if you stop treatment altogether, so it is common to carry on with a maintenance treatment. You may find that one application every other day with a low-strength preparation is sufficient for this.

Can benzoyl peroxide cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with preparations containing benzoyl peroxide. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to the preparation, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.

How to store benzoyl peroxide

• Mantenga todos los medicamentos fuera del alcance y de la vista de los niños.

• Almacenar en un lugar fresco y seco, lejos del calor y la luz directos.
  

Información importante sobre todos los medicamentos