I can't relate to the back acne situation as it's never been a problem for me. In fact, if my face was like the rest of my body, I'd have never had a single pimple!
Besides the beach, your body is hidden away till something like a vacation or sex. I would wish my body had scars. Not the face, not what you represent the world with. This is a tougher mental hurdle that many here deal with.
Don't sweat the small stuff, there are ppl out there way more self concious that have to deal with actual health problems that make them shy away from society completely
just keep a positive mind and focus on the good points like you said you don't have bad face acne, now put yourself in our shoes that have to deal with that.
GL man
Not all of us are superficial! Honestly its weirder to refuse to take your shirt off compared to taking your shirt off and having some scarring! and i guarantee you that if you are in a situation where a girl wants your shirt off that she will be too worked up to even notice or care about scarring if she really cares about you! Personally, the guy I have been dating for the past month or so has some confidence issues with his body and it makes me feel better because I feel less pressure to be perfect. I don't mind flaws, it makes me more comfortable with my own body because I know i'm definitely far from perfect. When you get close to a girl again, and if you know she truely cares about you, try talking to her about it! I'm sure she will reassure you that you're handsome no matter what 
This is a very old post, but I just had to reply because I really feel you brother. I have exactly the same situation as you. My back is ABSOLUTELY covered with ugly scars and marks and fking everything from acne. Also shoulders and chest have got their share of it. Can't go swimming, just can't. Living life with some restrictions ain't easy.
DAcne ruined
Do you still have "acne" or just flaking skin ? The flaking skin is most likely caused by malasezzia fungus which can be easily controlled with antidandruff shampoos and topical antifungal cream/s (which are totally safe.) Outbreaks of malasezzia fungus are caused by taking antibiotics and some other meds.
Do you have dandruff? (which is also caused by malasezzia fungus)
On 6/6/2019 at 1:28 PM, Acneruinedmyskin said:This is a very old post, but I just had to reply because I really feel you brother. I have exactly the same situation as you. My back is ABSOLUTELY covered with ugly scars and marks and fking everything from acne. Also shoulders and chest have got their share of it. Can't go swimming, just can't. Living life with some restrictions ain't easy.
If it's any comfort, I have a couple of male friends with very bad back acne, who feel exactly the same as this, and I feel completely and utterly neutral when I see it. I can see that it really knocks their confidence, but when they avoid joining in pool-related activities etc. and don't want to take their top off, that is less attractive. My partner's back in absolutely covered in acne scarring and I never think twice because he has never commented on it or been bothered!
If it really bothers you, you could try a glycolic acid body cream to exfoliate the skin. Definitely just own it though; I've never met anyone who would think twice about back scarring!
I just came across this old post... my back, shoulders, and upper-arms are full of white scars caused by acne. I had consultation with several doctors/dermatologists, cosmetic clinics, and with some recommended doctors from this site. I spent tons of money in consultations and flight tickets just to confirm what I already knew: there is no solution. I did my research here and there... nothing. I even remember telling a nurse to not to be scared of my scars...
Sometimes I wake up asking myself, Why me? Why life is punishing me like that? What have I done wrong?
Ive read above comments... and Ive seen that Im not the only one who doesnt take off the t-shirt, has lack of confidence, etc etc. and I always look at other people trying to find at least one single scar without success.
Its very depressing sometimes... from time to time I stare at them in the mirror dreaming that they are not there or there is some improvement. I try to convince myself that they are not ugly and that I shouldn be ashamed of.
Talking about relationships... in the past Ive never had any issue, none of my ex-girlfriends asked me about them... but it is something that nowadays causes me a lot of stress and completely freezes me for dating... Im just feel that I dont love myself, so how on earth Im going to love anyone?
I know that some people would give to me the universe for having the scars of my back instead of their pyshical defect. Sometimes Im happy that those scars dont prevent me to get a job, go to the gym, ride a motorbike, etc. but sometimes I just want to go to the other side.
Few weeks ago there was a summer party at my neighborhood, I saw a guy with his back full of deep scars caused by acne... he was no giving a shit. I felt proud of him... and last week a girl with also a lot of scars on her back and she also was not caring at all.
I'm 39.. and these scars are still killing my confidence, so my goal in the long term is just to recover my confidence and love myself.. and thats not an easy task.