* Sometimes these products come unmixed, and you or your pharmacist must combine the clindamycin or erythromycin powder with the benzoyl peroxide gel. |
The following guidelines may be helpful:
Before applying the medication, wash your skin gently, rinse with warm water, and pat dry. Apply the gel in small, pea-sized amounts to all acne-prone areas once a day or as directed by your health care provider. Avoid your eyes, lips, and the corners of your mouth, which are often very sensitive.
As you are able to tolerate this, build up to once or even twice daily if you are not making too much progress on your acne.
These medications can be irritating to your skin. For that reason, avoid abrasive, harsh, or drying soaps and cleansers while using the products.
The benzoyl peroxide in these medications can bleach hair, sheets, towels, and clothing. To avoid the bleaching effect, wear an old T-shirt after applying the medication to acne on the back or chest. Also, make sure that the gel has completely dried before your treated skin touches towels, clothes, or bedding (towels, sheets, and pillow cases should be white).
Dryness of the treated areas can be expected and is usually mild. If your skin is visibly scaly, apply a nonoily moisturizer, such as Eucerin Daily Control & Care Moisturizer, Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion, or Olay Oil-Free Active Hydrating Beauty Fluid. The moisturizer should be applied over the medicated gels so that you don't prevent them from doing their job.
You may experience a mild burning sensation or reddening of the skin when you first start to use this medication. Irritation and burning are common but usually disappear in 2 to 3 weeks.
These products may also cause contact dermatitis (red, dry, inflamed, itchy skin) because of irritation or allergy. This can be treated with a cortisone cream such as a 1% hydrocortisone, which is available without a prescription.
If the preparation you're applying causes a more severe reaction, stop using it altogether and call your health care provider.
Be patient! Acne responds very slowly to treatment. It may take 4 to 6 weeks before you notice any real improvement.
These products are designed to treat existing acne and prevent future breakouts. To prevent new acne from forming, continue using the preparation for a while, even after your acne clears.
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