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The Back Regimen Perform twice per day
- Effective
- Detailed
- Back acne treatment guide
(click here for the moderate to severe regimen)
My light to moderate Back Regimen is a two step process that uses over-the-counter products. The products I use are important, but how I apply them and how much I use is of equal importance.
To get started you'll need a gentle cleanser and plenty of 10% alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). In my experience, an AHA which also contains licochalcone works best. These products, when applied correctly using the step-by-step instructions on this page keep me clear. But keep in mind that my back acne is only light nowadays. When it was moderate to severe, I needed a regimen which incorporated both benzoyl peroxide and AHA.
Wash Gently (in the shower works best)
- Vital: When washing, your fingers should gently glide over your skin.
[Medical research shows reducing irritation is vital to clear acne.]
A.
Dispense a generous amount of cleanser into your palm and get a good lather going. If using Acne.org Cleanser, use 2 full pumps.
Using a generous amount of cleanser will allow you to generate a good lather. The more lather you generate, the more easily your hands will glide across your skin, thereby reducing irritation.
B.
Gently wash each side of your back for only 5 seconds and with a gentle touch.
Cleansing is necessary because it removes surface oils which allows the alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) to penetrate, but you can easily achieve this goal with bare hands and only a few seconds of washing. Washing for this short a period of time reduces irritation and is one of the most important steps in The Back Regimen.
Note: Washcloths are far too irritating and should be completely avoided.
C.
Upon exiting the shower, gently dry your back. Do not rub. Just let the towel sit on your skin and absorb the wetness. You may not get it completely dry with the towel this way, but that's preferable to irritating rubbing.
Anything which rubs, scratches, or scrubs the skin can cause irritation. Stay very gentle with your towel.
H.
Wait 10-15 minutes until your skin is completely dry. Feel free to do other normal daily activities during this time.
Letting your skin dry completely allows the AHA to absorb. Do not apply the AHA until your skin is completely dry.
A.
Wash and dry hands.
This helps remove any oils that may have accumulated on your hands. Exposure to oils can aggravate acne.
B.
Dispense one thick finger's length worth of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) cream or gel to each side of the back.
The back is a large area and requires a lot of AHA to properly treat. Don't skimp!
C.
Apply very gently, allowing your hand to gently glide over the back until the AHA is more or less absorbed.
Staying super gentle reduces irritation.
Tips
Backpacks: Reducing irritation is important in clearing acne. But let's face it, you have to sit in chairs and wear clothes, so something will be touching your back much of the day and there's no need to obsess about it. Backpacks in particular, however, can create more direct and ongoing irritation which may aggravate back acne in some people. You may want to try carrying your stuff in something other than a backpack until you are clear on this regimen. At that point, you can start wearing your backpack and see if you stay clear, or if a backpack in your case is simply too much irritation.
Fabric softener: Fabric softener can leave a waxy residue on clothing and while there exists no research on the topic, this theoretically may aggravate acne. Anti-static balls may be an alternative. You can google "anti-static balls" to find them.
