Five-day study to judge the short-term effect of a benzoyl peroxide 3% gel on acne lesions.

Introduction: Acne is a common, chronic skin disease that has both physical and psychological consequences. Over-the-counter products are a treatment option frequently chosen by dermatologists and acne sufferers for reasons of cost or convenience. There are reports that such products can effect rapid resolution in certain lesion parameters.

Aims: To evaluate the short-term effect of a benzoyl peroxide 3% gel on acne lesions.

Methods: A 5-day, double-blind, randomized clinical trial was conducted among subjects with mild-to-moderate acne. Subjects applied the benzoyl peroxide 3% gel, a salicylic acid 2% gel, or a vehicle gel under supervision once daily for 4 days. Target lesion parameters of swelling, diameter, and erythema were evaluated at various times after the first and subsequent applications.

Results: Although target lesion parameters showed overall improvement from baseline, the effects of the active treatment gels were not significantly different from those of the vehicle gel at any evaluation. The assessed parameters showed marked variability in target lesion behavior at the subject level over the course of the study.

Conclusions: The results of this study illustrate the unpredictability of individual acne lesion's responses to therapy and the challenge associated with using these responses to judge short-term treatment efficacy. While rapid acne resolution is desired by patients and consumers, setting realistic expectations for treatment response is critical to encourage compliance and avoid disappointment.