Hello…
So, I have pretty bad/oily skin, especially on my back and consistently have blackheads/acne across the back of my shoulders, sometimes up onto the back of my neck, etc.
I shower daily and make sure to clean the area as best I can, at least as well as limited reach and flexibility will allow. Yet, the acne and blackheads persist.
If anyone can provide some good treatments for this (short of going to a Dermatologist), I’d greatly appreciate it.
Thanks!
There are lotion applicators made for use on one’s back (long-handled like bath brushes for scrubbing the back.) I would suggest using one of those to apply the acne treatment lotion of your choice to the hard-to-reach areas. Since I believe the skin on the back tends to be less sensitive than facial skin, you can probably get away with using a stronger formulation than you might use on your face.
I found several different applicators by googling back lotion applicators
I have a friend with this problem. He uses a back brush to try to keep it under control, but says that (in his particular case–which is not your case, etc.) antibiotics are the only thing that makes it go away.
I haven’t used it myself, but my roommate uses neutrogena body wash. It seems to help quite a bit.
I’ve got this, uh, friend who used to have that problem, and it cut way down when he got one of those long-handled back brushes which had a rough, exfoliating loofah.
–Cliffy
I came in here to mention that very thing. It’s worked very well for me.
I have a friend who’s used a strap, about 4" wide by 3 feet long, with handles at each end. The strap is made of fairly rough material, which he says does a good job of rubbing the skin clean.
I used to have it but have been put on antibiotics since. I thought they were cheap ($6.00 a refill) but without my insurance, the Rx I’m on would be around $250 a month. Ouch! And apparently I’m on it for life. Sniff.
PS, according to this site:
Treatment of typical cases of acne usually includes over the counter products containing, benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, resorcinol, or salicylic acid. These chemicals have proven effective in the treatment of mild cases of acne. It is advised not to pick or squeeze Acne, as you will increase the risk is scarring. Scrubbing the acne with a loofah or any other method is also not recommended, as scrubbing only makes it worse.
My husband has eczema/back acne. For a while, we were using a handmade soap with lavendar in it. Lavendar has natural antibacterial/antiseptic properties, so it worked really well and he smelled great. Since it’s pretty expensive, we switched to Dial antibacterial soap. It seems to help him, and isn’t too harsh for me to use.
Here’s some good info on how to treat “bacne” from acne.org. In sum, you want to wash your back, apply alpha hydroxy acid, let it dry, and then apply 2.5% benzoyl peroxide. Beware that benzoyl peroxide can bleach fabrics.
Acne.org sells a 4 oz tube of 2.5% benzoyl peroxide for $8.50, which is really a steal as the only 2.5% I’ve found in the store is only 1.5-2.0 oz. for over $5.00.