Long Term Acne Treatment - Is Benzoyl Peroxide Safe?
Posted: Thursday, January 10, 2008
by Barry Crewse
http://www.Acnemedicineman.com
As a long term user of acne related products, you may have heard many differing opinions concerning benzoyl peroxide and whether it is safe to use over long periods of time. Treating your pimples over many years can result in many complications for some individuals. The course of
suppression may continue many years beyond being a teenager and because of this, consideration should be taken in not only how well the treatment works but also the long term effects of that treatment.
There have been literally hundreds of reports generated over the years by various medical publications that have done research concerning this product as a link to cancer risk. Many of them appear to support this risk albeit mainly in theory. Nevertheless, in 1995 the FDA changed their position in categorizing the safety of BP from a level 1 to level 3 category "safety unknown." Research done on laboratory mice and hamsters raised concern that benzoyl peroxide may be a tumor promoter in these animals.
It is important to remember the vast amounts of BP administered these critters. Also keep in mind the time in which these amounts were allowed to be in contact with these creatures does not necessarily mirror that type of contact in humans. This brings back the great cyclamates debate of the 1970's in which rats were given huge amounts of the artificial sweetener promoting warnings as a possible cancer causing agent. These warnings were later dismissed as it was highly improbable that people would drink an equivalent amount of 50 cans of soda a day over many years to reach the minimal amount of sweetener given to the lab rats. It is not known proportionally how much exposure to BP is needed to actually become a cancer risk.
When talking about long term side effects it is important to keep in mind that there are many products one can purchase to treat acne. Of all the long term side effects reportedly associated with these medications, benzoyl peroxide appears to be one of the safest products among them. Unlike antibiotic medications, resistance by the bacteria that cause acne will not occur. Because benzoyl peroxide is applied topically, there is no risk to any internal organs as there might be associated with medication which would have to be taken orally. The medication comes in variable strengths which allows you to use only that concentration that helps suppression of your acne outbreak.
Research was conducted in 1991 by the University of Miami to weigh the associated risks of using BP. That study indicated no known risks of skin cancer by those using the product as an acne treatment. Skin color, nationality and family history of skin cancer were the risk factors used in the determination. It is interesting to note that those who seem to raise the biggest questions concerning benzoyl peroxide are usually those who are advertising products that do not contain it. This does not mean that risks do not exist.
There are various points of view circulating when it comes to treating pimples. Being an educated consumer will help you make the best decisions concerning which course of medication is best for you.
Spend some time with your doctor and ask questions. Do a little research on the products that are available for fighting pimples. You deserve beautiful skin and you can have it by making informed decisions and testing what works best for you.
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)Thanks for the article... it seems most over the counter products contain BP and I know first hand that it works!
Yes BP is a God send, I was a pizza face before I started using it :)
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