Q: Does benzoyl peroxide prolong red marks after acne lesions have gone away?

A: I have found no empirical evidence on this topic. However, there have been a good amount of people who have posted about this on the messageboards. I have not seen benzoyl peroxide prolong red marks in the people I have personally coached through the Regimen. However, this does not mean it does not happen to some people. However, the topic is somewhat moot because the best treatment for red marks is prevention of acne. The prevention of acne thusly prevents future red marks from forming in the first place. And the best treatment we have for acne is benzoyl peroxide. So, while there may be a slight chance that benzoyl peroxide may prolong red marks in a few select individuals, when we look at long term red mark prevention, preventing acne in the first place takes precedence. My suggestion would be to get your skin cleared up completely with the Regimen and then practice patience as your red marks fade.

I know you asked about BP and not The Regimen, but I hope this helps.

From the FAQs:

The Regimen is three steps; gently cleansing, treating with ample amounts of BP, and moisturizing.

And there are some methods people have found that help to speed up the fading of hyperpigmentation (check out the Red Marks Left After Acne board), but time is the only thing that will fade the marks completely.

You shouldnt be using BP in the first place it is dangerous it was recently banned in Europe due to its harmful effects

I found after years of slathering BP 10% all over my face and still breaking out, i decided to quit because of the rumor that BP potentially causes premature aging. I do not have insurance, therefore i cannot ask a dermatologist if BP's oxidizing is only circumscribed to the epidermis and doesn't traverse to the deeper layers of the skin...which perhaps may not pose so much of a problem in my uneducated opinion.

But to point: after two weeks BP free, i find that my pimples do not leave deep red scars or post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Active pimples are small pink fleshy bumps which seem to fade in 3 days without a trace. I still get cysts, but the aftermath is much less red.

If hyperpigmentation is an issue with you (it actually bothers me more then the acne itself), i would suggest dropping BP for two weeks and see what happens.

best.

If BP creates free radicials then wouldn't that contribute to aging? I know free radicials damage the skin and are said to be the source of aging. - So is this true? Thanks.