6 replies to this topic

[whitney_arnelle]

[color=#006600]ok so homecoming isn't until october but i am on homecoming court so we all have to wear the same dress. and we already have picked them out and have gotten fitted for them. all of the dresses these days are backless and/or strapless. I have back acne though. it is starting to go away but i have a lot of scars! my back is so ugly! and i'm stressing out about it. I know ppl are gonna be looking at my back! what can i do?!

whit

[clubkid]

i know people will give you some hypothetical "wash with bla bla bla and spread bla bla bla acid" but that will take forever. i guess since you have until october then there's a good while for you to experiment...but if you want it gone FAST i'd say that the easiest and most definite way is to GO TO A TANNING SALON. tan for 5 minutes 3 times a week and you'll be ready freddy in a month. i have REALLY thick skin so i usually tan 3 times a week for 20 minutes for about two weeks....but only about 4 times a year, so i don't think im doing any MAJOR damage to my skin. OH, and NEVER ever tan your face. put a towel over it. IT WORKED FOR ME. )

[BeautifulSoul]

Why dont you apply make up to it? Isnt that what celebrities do to thier entire bodies? well just find the right stuff i guess. and dont find things with a heavy oil base since that might clog pores and stuff. But personally i use cocoa butter and it really helps even out your entire skin if you have like a couple of months to experiment. good luck!

[Xero]

You can apply a glycolic acid lotion, too. That gives you quick results and clears both acne and scars.

[Bella03]

Go to the tanning bed...

[cool as kim deal]

Birth control cleared up my back/chest acne pretty quickly but didn't do much for my face. Now would be the time to get on it (if you aren't already) if you are hoping for any skin clearing effects.

[The_Snow_Queen]

That's right. Go tan, nevermind that sun damage is cumulative, permanent, and starts to happen even BEFORE you're exposed to UV rays long enough to tan. I just hope you don't regret it in the future. One other thing- tanning, though it temporarily helps conceal redness, also prolongs it due to the damage it causes. That same damage can also lead to new breakouts and new red marks.

Rather than tan, you could try a regimen that doesn't lead to premature aging and skin cancer; it's not like you need immediate results, you have roughly three to four months. Here's what I suggest:

Try an alpha hydroxy acid or beta hydroxy acid (salicylic acid) product; alpha hydroxy acids are water-soluble and are typically better for "red marks," exfoliating the skin's surface, but beta hydroxy acid products are lipid soluble and are better for treating and preventing clogged pores, as they can exfoliate within the pore (though salicylic acid will also help speed the healing of "red marks"). Both acid-types work best in products having a pH of 4 or lower. Unfortunately, there are very few options for beta hydroxy acid products that are both pH correct and gentle. There are far more options for effective alpha hydroxy acid products.

Don't rely on medicated cleansers since almost all cleansers have too high of a pH to allow the acids to exfoliate. In the unlikely event that a cleanser did have a low enough pH, a good deal of the treatment would be washed away. Instead, use a good leave-on treatment like the ones below:

Paula's Choice make good beta hydroxy acid and alpha hydroxy acid products that are cheaper per ounce than most others. They can be ordered here:

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

Alpha Hydrox makes some good alpha hydroxy acid products which can be bought at certain drugstores like RiteAid or here:

http://www.alphahydrox.com/

To cleanse your skin, use a gentle cleanser like Eucerin Baby Aquaphor Gentle Wash, which can be bought at CVS or online at:

http://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/cvs/gateway/sear...=47&SEARCH.y=12

To allow your red marks to heal, make sure you use a good sunscreen, as UVA rays can penetrate through glass and light clothing. Lots of people on this board like Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreens, which can be bought at most drugstores.

If your back doesn't look the way you want it to by homecoming, try going to a salon and getting a spray-on tan or having a friend apply self-tanner to your back for you. You could also build a gradual tan with products like Jergen's Natural Glow.