Acne Information

By Melanie Vasseur

Benzoclear - a benzoyl peroxide formulation in a gel base for maximum effectiveness forms the foundation of treatment for all grades of acne. For grade I acne, Benzoclear is all that is needed. Basic therapy for all grades starts with mild doses and works up to the levels needed for complete clearing.

Maxiclear - contains all the most effective acne ingredients in one product to help rapidly treat inflamed areas. Maxiclear works in conjunction with Benzoclear. It is used as an overnight mask. It contains benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, salicylic acid, zinc oxide and alpha hydroxy acids (lactic and glycolic) in a gel base. This product goes deep into the pore to kill bacteria and cause the pores to rapidly exfoliate.

A sulfur mask helps reduce inflammation of lesions and absorbs excess oil. Sulfur also boosts the effectiveness of Benzoclear.

How and Where to Apply Benzoclear

The first important question you must answer is where to apply the Benzoclear. "On my pimples" is wrong, let's clear up that common misconception which keeps thousands of acne sufferers from successful treatment.

Acne sufferers who rely on the instructions that come with over-the-counter medications often misunderstand how to apply benzoyl peroxide,for good reason. First of all, advertisements and labels for acne medications often talk about "drying up pimples", giving the impression that the medication is supposed to work on existing pimples to dry them up. So, users often dab the medication only on their blemishes. In truth, you can't do much about the advanced-stage pimples you can see on your face. They are a lost cause.

What you must do is keep future pimples from forming. Remember that it takes weeks for a pimple to develop. What you do today prevents a breakout several weeks from now. But because consumers don't understand this, they often dab the lotion just on their inflamed lesions. Benzoclear and Maxiclear often do help blooming pimples disappear a bit faster, but the primary benefit is their ability to stop pores from sludging up with dead skin cells, thereby preventing microcomedones from ever forming in the first place.

Remember that acne moves across your face in a predictable wave according to your age, first involving the forehead, chin and nose, then cheeks, and finally the jaw line and upper neck. The whole point of treatment is to stay ahead of that wave. Stop it where it is now; don't wait for it to migrate to other areas. Apply Benzoclear to affected areas, but also keep ahead of the wave by at least one inch. Remember that the first acne impactions are invisible, and just waiting to develop.

Now you are ready for your first application. Wash your face with foaming cleanser and water; then wait thirty minutes. Spread a film of Benzoclear lotion over the entire area that is now breaking out or likely to break out in the next few weeks. By "film" - there should be a visible application, not so thick as to flake off when it dries, but not so thin as to vanish.

Some General Rules and Cautions

Avoid eye area. The skin around the eyes is very sensitive. Pretend you are wearing large sunglasses and do not cover the area that would be hidden by the glasses. Benzoyl peroxide can irritate the eyes and cause the eyelids to temporarily swell. So don't inadvertently rub it into your eyes.

The neck is also especially sensitive to benzoyl peroxide. If you treat your neck, start slowly with a milder preparation. Avoid sensitive areas around the nose and mouth. The small area just around and under your nostrils and also at the corners of your mouth can also easily be irritated. So avoid the triangular area bounded by the "smile lines" that go from your nose down to below the corners of your mouth.

Caution: Benzoclear bleaches colored fabric. Benzoyl peroxide is, after all, a peroxide. Use either white wash clothes and towels to wash off the Benzoclear, or something old so it doesn't matter if it bleaches. Use white sheets and pillow cases if you wear Benzoclear overnight. If you apply it to the chest and back, put on an old white T-shirt after the medication has dried. Benzoclear will bleach anything it touches, including your bath rug if you drop or splatter the medication.

Melanie Vasseur is a chemist, esthetician and the founder of Vasseur Skincare. For more skincare tips and information, visit www.vsskin.com or www.vasseurdayspa.com, 619-236-9095.