Hydrogen Peroxide for Acne

Acne is an inflammatory skin disease which occurs due to some bacterial infection. Acne is mostly found on the facial skin. Propionibacterium Acnes is one of the most common form of bacteria that is responsible for causing acne, pimples and blackheads. These bacteria grows in the sebum (an oily substance) released from the sebaceous glands into the pores of the skin. Due to the infection, the skin flares up and eruption of red pimples take place. People of any age group can get acne, but adolescents are more prone to it. There are several acne treatments. Among them, using hydrogen peroxide is one of the best.

How Does Hydrogen Peroxide Work on Acne?

Acne is formed when the skin pores are blocked by the sebum. The dirt and grease carrying bacteria get trapped inside the pores and cause infection. The bacteria that causes acne produces propionic acid. When the infected skin comes in contact with the hydrogen peroxide, then it reacts with the acidic substance and oxygen and water is formed in the process. The free oxygen thus obtained penetrates deep down into the pores of the skin and reach the source of the acne. As a result, the bacteria get killed as they cannot survive in presence of oxygen. On the other hand, the water helps to open up the clogged pores.

How to Use Hydrogen Peroxide for Acne?

Hydrogen peroxide has excellent disinfectant properties and is used as an antiseptic for several years. Before the start of the treatment, you have to cleanse your face with a mild, non-abrasive cleansing soap and water. This will help in the removal of dirt, oil and makeup from the skin surface. Also, do not forget to wash your hands thoroughly. Take some hydrogen peroxide in a bowl and dip a cotton swab into it. Then apply it on each of the pimples and its surrounding areas. This will disinfect them prevent the spreading of infection to other parts. However, do not apply it on acne free part of the skin.

If you have widespread acne areas all over the face then you can saturate a cotton ball into hydrogen peroxide and gently rub it on the entire face. In this way, the existing acne will be cured at the same time future acne outbreaks are controlled as well. During the application of hydrogen peroxide, care should be taken that it should not come in contact with the eyes and the skin around it as it can cause severe irritation. It should not touch the hairline and the eyebrows as it can lighten the natural color of the hair. After the treatment, the acne get dried out and the swelling and irritation get reduced. This drying effect of the hydrogen peroxide will make your facial skin dry as well. To retain the healthy and hydrated look of the skin, you should apply a good quality oil free moisturizer on your face.

The best part of the use of hydrogen peroxide for acne, is that it not only kills the existing bacteria present on the surface of the skin but also prevents growth of new bacteria inside the pores, thus completely eliminating the problem from the root . In other words, it's just not one of the best acne treatment but is also effective in acne prevention as well. The use of hydrogen peroxide for removing acne scars, may not be a good idea because it destroys the new cells and affects the natural healing mechanism. However, you can prevent the acne scars formation if you start the treatment of acne with hydrogen peroxide at an early stage.