Benzoyl Peroxide and lip discoloration around edges?

[ktownfarmboy]

I am currently a college student (age 19) but I'm still dealing with acne problems. I've been using benzoyl peroxide to fight the bacteria. I noticed small breakouts near the edges of my lips (regions where the mustache grows) so i applied some of the gel around my lip region. This was several weeks ago. Just today I noticed that the edges of my upper lip were slightly discolored (somewhat pale and yellow). I know that benzoyl peroxide can cause bleaching in clothes and other colored materials. Could it have changed the pigmentation of my lips somehow? If so, would the effects be permanent?
Or am I simply over-analyzing my lips? I am a typical Korean male with lightly shaded skin (I understand skin conditions differ depending on pigmentation/ethnicity).

[smootchez]

I used benzoyl peroxide almost four years ago for my breakouts.  It bleached my skin in the areas that I applied the cream, mainly my forehead.  I still have about a 2 inch by 1 inch patch on my forehead.  It was extremely white and then turned pink.  It is now has some hints of brown in the area (I am a fair skinned African American/Puerto Rican) so my color is coming back.  I have sought treatment and am curently using dovonex and C PCAT cream.  This treatment is causing improvement but not as dramatic as I would have hoped (b/c I have had the discoloration for about 3.5 years).  You noticed some discoloration...so stop using benzoyl peroxide. Try tretinoin cream...everytime I have pimples I put some on and it clears up pretty well.

Any suggestions for my continued discoloration Dr.I am extremely insecure about it and am thinking about a laser treatment (ugh expensive).

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I haven't seen benzoyl peroxide (or anything else) discolor lips.  If it could, the color change wouldn't be permanent, anyway.  You may indeed be overanalyzing your lips, out of concern.  See a doctor if you're still anxious, but I see no reason for you to shift gears if the benzoyl peroxide is still helping your acne.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff