10 replies to this topic

[nikki333]

A derm I had a long time ago told me that you always sweat even in the winter and that is what causes bacne. Any ideas on what to do to stop the sweat. He has told me powder absorbs it but for how long. I know now when I seat I break out on the back.

[Xero]

Take two showers a day with an acne soap; changing shirts multiple times a day.

[No I'm Amy]

Take two showers a day with an acne soap; changing shirts multiple times a day.

Are you serious? People have work and school so they can't exactly magically change shirts. It's possible to in the bathroom at break, but who wants to wear 2 or more shirts a day?

[Ravina]

I have acne on my back/chest/shoulders and what I have found that works wonders for me is exfoliating every day. I just use a rough washcloth in the shower and really scrub everwhere that I can reach on my back and shoulders using an oil-free cleanser. It used to be I would just use a cleanser without the exfoliating and I would still get moderate acne, so I really believe it is the exfoliating that makes the difference as it really gets rid of oils and dead skin cells that can clog pores. At night I usually spot treat what pimples I do get with BP. I would reccommend anyone with bacne try this, it is so simple and it really does work.

As far as stoping sweat goes, there is not much you can do for your back. If you sweat other places though you can get strong O.T.C. anti-persirants like dry-sol, but that probably won't help in your situation.

[The_Snow_Queen]

Here's a regimen you could try:

1. Wash with a gentle cleanser like Eucerin Baby Aquaphor Gentle Wash

http://www.eucerinus.com/products/baby_aquawash.html

2. Exfoliate with a gentle leave-on salicylic acid product having a pH of 4 or lower (which is a rarity). I reccommend Paula's choice 2% Beta Hydroxy Acid Products.

http://www.cosmeticscop.com/shop/category2...PE=1&PAGETYPE=S

3. Apply a gentle benzoyl peroxide product; preferrably a 2.5% strength, though you can work your way up to a 5% strength if need be.

4. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen before sun exposure or when wearing light-weight clothing like Neutrogena Dry-Touch Sunscreens.

http://www.walgreens.com/store/product.jsp...&ec=frgl_709460

This follows the over-the-counter regimen reccommended in the article below:

http://www.cosmeticscop.com/learn/article....REFER=SKIN&ID=6

The article is geared specifically to the face, but can be applied to treat acne wherever it appears.

[ikonz]

hwat does it mean to exfoliate???

[The_Snow_Queen]

To exfoliate is to slough off dead skin cells. The types of exfoliants generally used in skin care products are alpha hydroxy acids (glycolic acid, lactic acid, and mandelic acid), beta hydroxy acid (salicylic acid), and manual exfoliants. Prescription retinoids are not exfoliants but can improve the skin's natural sloughing off process.

Manual exfoliants (baking soda, washcloths, scrubs, etc...) only exfoliate within the surface of the skin and not the inside the pores. They can damage the skin if overdone and provide uneven exfoliation. Manual exfoliants are used most often for removing flaky, dry skin.

Alpha hydroxy acids are water soluble and evenly exfoliate the surface of the skin. These are preferred for sun damaged skin and post-inflammatory redness.

Beta hydroxy acids are lipid soluble and can evenly exfoliate within the pore. Salicylic acid is related to aspirin and has anti-inflammatory properties, making its risk of irritation minimal. It also has very mild antimicrobial properties, though these are weak in comparison with benzoyl peroxide. Because it can exfoliate within the pore, salicylic acid is preferred for acne-prone skin.

For more information on exfoliants check out this article:

http://www.cosmeticscop.com/learn/article....EFER=SKIN&ID=27

[ikonz]

thanks for the explanation! so like if i have acne on my back or shest, shoulders i can use baking soda or alpha hydroxy?

[The_Snow_Queen]

thanks for the explanation! so like if i have acne on my back or shest, shoulders i can use baking soda or alpha hydroxy?

Yes, although salicylic acid is better for acne because unlike alpha hydroxy acids and manual exfoliants, it is lipid soluble and can therefore exfoliate within the pores (preventing and clearing clogs) provided it is in a solution having a pH of 4 or lower. Most salicylic acid products either contain skin irritants (like alcohol, which hazel, and peppermint) or have too high of a pH; sometimes both. Salicylic acid cleansers are as a rule ineffective because they almost always have too high of a pH to allow the salicylic acid to exfoliate, and even if they did have a pH, a lot of the salicylic acid would be washed away. Because so many salicylic acid products are poorly formulated, many people have little success with them. However, if you do find a good salicylic acid product (which is very difficult), the results can be very good. The best salicylic acid products I know of are made by Paula's Choice. You can order them here:

http://www.cosmeticscop.com/shop/category2...PE=1&PAGETYPE=S

I use the 2% Beta Hydroxy Acid Liquid and had very good results with it. I also just got the Weightless Body Treatment with 2% BHA, and so far like it very much. The Body Treatment is actually cheaper per ounce than the Liquid and is easier to apply. Other than that, the difference between the two is in the pH (the liquid has a very slightly lower pH, which allows for a little more exfoliation) and consistancy. The liquid allows for a faster penetration of the salicylic acid, while the lotion provides a more controlled penetration.

[energizer]

I acutally think sweat does nothing to acne

[Xero]

Take two showers a day with an acne soap; changing shirts multiple times a day.

Are you serious? People have work and school so they can't exactly magically change shirts. It's possible to in the bathroom at break, but who wants to wear 2 or more shirts a day?

Of course I'm not kidding. I have school, too. You can change during Gym or when you're in the bathroom. Who wants to wear two shirts a day? Well, who wants to have body acne?