Benzoyl Peroxide Side Effects and Long Term Effects

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Treating acne can be an incredibly long battle that often extends well into adulthood and in some cases does not actually begin until the patient is well past their teenage years. Due to this fact; it is well worth the effort to study not only the efficacy of many acne treatment products but the effects of long term use on the patient as well.

There are currently a number of different acne treatment products on the market and depending upon the severity of a patient’s acne, they may actually find that using a combination or products is the best strategy to treat recurrent bouts of acne. There are a myriad of problems associated with long term use of several acne treatment products. Some of these products reduce or suppress testosterone production; which can lead to very serious problems. Others have been known to cause birth defects when the mother took the treatment while pregnant.

Of all the products currently on the market to treat acne, benzoyl peroxide appears to cause the least amount of side effects, particularly over a long period of time. Not only does benzoyl peroxide lack the incidence of long term side effects but it also does not have the tendency to create drug resistance; which can happen in many antibiotic acne treatments. In fact, research has indicated that when combined with benzoyl peroxide treatments, the tendency of drug resistance related to antibiotic acne treatments can actually be reduced.

At this time the only side effects that appear to be related to the use of benzoyl peroxide are some crusting and blistering of the skin as well as a tendency for discoloration of hair and fabrics to occur, when the product comes into contact with these items. Due to the fact that benzoyl peroxide does actually generate free radicals, there has been some concern that use of this product would lead to the development of skin cancer.

Research has currently indicated that the only risk associated with the use of benzoyl peroxide is an increased sensitivity to sunlight; which can be treated with use of a good quality sun block. A study conducted in 1991 by the University of Miami concluded that there was no increased risk for skin cancer related to the use of benzoyl peroxide as an acne treatment. The major risk factors determined by this survey were family history of skin cancer, light skin and specific nationality of the mothers of those surveyed.

“A Study of Acne Treatments as Risk Factors for skin cancer of the head and neck.”
Hogan DJ, To T, Wilson ER, Miller AB, Robson D, Holfeld K, Lane P.
Department of Dermatology, University of Miami, Florida.
Br J Dermatol. 1991 Oct;125(4):343-8. PubMed

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