Topical Experiment

[Bill]

Most topicals I wouldn't have a bar of, Fred, occluded or otherwise. I use Stockholm tar because of its low toxicity. I occlude because it makes the topical work better. I like to stick with things that work for me. I have read about occlusion being more toxic, but countering this is a reduced frequency of application. How would the systemic exposure differ between twice daily open application and occluded application once every two to three days? Would it be greater? Would it be less? At what body surface area and skin thickness does the absorption of a specific topical become pharmacologically significant? Also, I have cleared spots with occlusion in less than a few months, so I don't apply anything there now. The spots behind my ears that I haven't occluded are not healed: I have applied far greater amounts of topical to these spots over many years. Does long term topical application pose a risk?

I am skeptical of learned opinion without a body of evidence to support it. As with dimethyl fumarate, I suspect the reticence belies a lack of experience.