The moderate to severe Back Regimen is a three step process that uses just over-the-counter products. The products you use are important, but how you apply them and how much you use is of equal importance.
To get started you'll need a gentle cleanser, lots of 2.5% benzoyl peroxide, and plenty of 10% alpha hydroxy acid. These products, when applied correctly using the step-by-step instructions on the next page should give you the results you're looking for.
My acne started on my face. In high school and especially in college the acne spread to my body, particularly my back area. I tried everything I could for my back acne including salicylic acid washes and leave-on treatments, medicated body scrubs, antibacterial washes, retin-a, antibiotics, and finally Accutane. The Accutane cleared up my back acne, but only temporarily. Upon completion of Accutane, my back acne came back, albeit to a lesser degree. Unfortunately, I was also left with lifelong side effects from the Accutane. Long story short, through years of trial and error, I finally developed a back acne regimen that helped keep my body acne under control without side effects. And now I'm happy to share it with you guys so you can avoid the long term side effects I live with.
Gentle body wash: A gentle cleanser will help prep your back for topical treatment by removing surface oils that will allow the topical products to penetrate into the skin. Washing very gently is important as it helps reduce irritation. In back acne, just like in facial acne, avoiding irritation is extremely important.
Lots of 2.5% benzoyl peroxide: Benzoyl peroxide is one of those wonder ingredients that came along in the 20th century. It is unique in its ability to penetrate into the skin where it kills bacteria and also drys and peels inside the pore. What nobody ever told me, however, is that you simply need to use a lot of it. It is simple but it works. I highly recommend 2.5% benzoyl peroxide which packs all of the effectiveness of 5% or 10% varieties without the irritation.
I also recommend a generous amount of 10% alpha hydroxy acid in addition to benzoyl peroxide. Alpha hydroxy acid rapidly exfoliates the surface of the skin, which helps bring new cells to the surface. The combo of benzoyl peroxide and alpha hydroxy acid is was what worked to finally clear up my back acne when it was at its worst. I particularly like AHA with licochalcone (a licorice root extract which calms and soothes the skin). The addition of licochalcone has been brilliant for me.
Important:
For best results, the Back Regimen should be performed twice a day, about 12 hours apart if at all possible. Follow the steps outlined below precisely. This regimen is the result of years of trial and error and works best when followed exactly.
Important:
Irritation can aggravate acne. It is important to be gentle with the skin of your back. Let your hands gently glide over your skin. Do not use soap on the Back Regimen; it can overdry and strip the skin which is the last thing we want. Normally, it is safer to find a gentle cleanser which is specifically made for the face and simply use it on the body.
Benzoyl peroxide tends to bleach fabric. This is the most annoying part of this regimen. Even after the benzoyl peroxide is dry, even a slight sweat during the day can reactivate the benzoyl peroxide and ruin your favorite colored shirts. I recommend wearing a white undershirt while on this regimen. Alternately, you can try this regimen minus the benzoyl peroxide and see if that works well enough. I currently have very light back acne and the alpha hydroxy on its own has proved sufficient. When I had more moderate to severe back acne, the benzoyl peroxide was required to get me clear, and I just wore white under shirts.
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.
The neck is much more sensitive than the back. If you are treating the back of your neck with this regimen, it is vital that you start with a small amount of benzoyl peroxide and work up the dosage over time to avoid unnecessary redness, dryness, and itchiness. I recommend strongly that when treating the neck, you start only once a day for the first week and use only a pea sized amount of benzoyl peroxide and AHA. Go to a pea sized amount twice a day the second week, and slowly work up the amount until you are using a generous coating by week 4.
Armpits: The skin right around the armpit can be sensitive. If you experience some redness or dryness in this area, try being a bit more careful to avoid this area when applying products.
Alpha hydroxy acid increases sensitivity to the sun and increases the chance of sunburn. Use a sunscreen and limit sun exposure while using alpha hydroxy acid and for a few weeks afterward.
Allergy: A very small percentage of people are allergic to benzoyl peroxide. If you suspect that you might be sensitive to benzoyl peroxide, apply a small amount of benzoyl peroxide for the first few days to a quarter-size area of the upper back to test for sensitivity. Allergy is evidenced by severe crusting or swelling of the area. If you experience either symptom, stop using benzoyl peroxide immediately.
Now you know all about the moderate to severe Back Regimen, how it works, and how to apply it, so it's time to get your supplies. For years the Regimen consisted of only drugstore brand products, but they can be expensive. I lobbied the large brand names to make us larger size products, and got friendly responses but little in the way of action. So I decided to make larger, and more cost effective products for us myself. While I was at it, I made them higher quality and less drying so they would work specifically for the Regimen. You should see faster and better results with my products. However, not everybody can order online so I've made sure to also recommend some good alternatives. Go to www.acne.org/back-acne-regimen-moderate-severe3.html to view recommended moderate to severe Back Regimen products.
Good luck everybody!
