here and there I start breaking out on my back. I've been using Neutrogena's body wash for this for a while now and I see no difference. any other remedies out there?
Does Neutrogena's body wash have salicyic acid in it? If not, switch to a product with at least 1% salycic acid (SA). If you are already using a product with SA in it, then try switching to a benzoyl peroxide (BP) formulation. I HAVE A VERY STRONG WARNING FOR YOU REGARDING BP:
If you use BP washes, you must be extremely careful to rinse thoroughly and not get dressed until you are FULLY dry. BP WILL BLEACH YOUR CLOTHES!!!!! I promise. I know from years of experience and ruined clothes and bedding (especially pillow cases if used on the face). Honestly, because of the bleaching alone it may be worth it to live with the zits.
You can also try using a topical ointment; look for something with 2% SA in it for effectiveness.
There are other ingredients that companies taut as acne fighters, but I would be very wary of them considering the lack of evidence as to the effectiveness.
Don't use anything with hydrogen peroxide (HP); there are lots of acne products offering this as an alternative to BP, but studies show that HP actually damages skin with free radicals.
I guarantee you you don't need to spend money on any department store products. Drug store products are just as effective, if not more so in certain cases, and MUCH, MUCH cheaper. I also have tons of experience with this and have waisted far too much money needlessly.
i used to break out occasionally on my back. i went to my derm who prescribed all this crap that didn't do anything (and cost a lot!)... this winter i noticed that Benefit has a product line called "Zapparella" that has a body scrub... I use this once a week and haven't had a break out since. I think it was $20 at Sephora- i would give it a try!
quote: Originally posted by: Drew "Does Neutrogena's body wash have salicyic acid in it? If not, switch to a product with at least 1% salycic acid (SA).
Yes, it has 2%! what brand out there carry BP? I'm lazy to go browsing, anyone have names and stores where to buy from?
BEX- I checked out Zapparella at Sephora today but it also contains 2% of SA. do you think it would still help me cause its from a different brand?
i used Neutrogena before i went to the derm about my problem and it didn't work for me. i forget the names of the products my derm prescribed but they had SA in them as well and didn't work... the only thing that worked for me is the Zapparella... i am SO glad i tried it... its only $20 and worth a shot!
i know this may sound lame...but drink water! i take two rx's for my skin (ive had severe breakouts on my back), but they never seem to work properly if im not drinking at least 5 BIG glasses of water a day. and if i make myself drink a ton of water, my skin glows everywhere on my body!
also make sure if youre sweating like when youre working out and stuff that you have on loose cotton clothes, nothing too tight that youre skin cant breathe in and shower frequently. ive found if i shower at night and in the morning my back stays clear!
How about changing the laundry detergent you are using? Cheer makes one for sensitive skin and when I break out I change to that and it helps clear me up.
Are you breaking out between your shoulders on the top of your back? If so and you can reach it then try DDF: $20 and it really works. It dries my pimples up in 2-3 days. It is a life saver for me when I break out at bad times. It will dry you out though so you can't use it all the time you have to let your skin breathe. It also dries pretty quickly so you don't have to worry about bleaching clothes.
SA doesn't work for me so I have to use BP. If it isn't working for you try switching to BP.
I occasionally have had the same problem, as well as on my chest. I use Persa-gel by Clean & Clear and I echo Drew's warnings about the bleaching! I now only use it before bed, I sleep in tank tops, so usually they don't touch the skin where I put the medication and I have creme sheets, so no worries about bleaching those Oh, and I also wash my chest and back with my face wash in the shower after I have shampood, I've heard that shampoos can clog the pores. Hope that helps!
quote: Originally posted by: FashionPrincess "Oh, and I also wash my chest and back with my face wash in the shower after I have shampood, I've heard that shampoos can clog the pores. Hope that helps!"
I do this too...I put my hair in a low side ponytail after I wash and condition my hair and then wash my back with face wash and rinse it all off. I think especially if you have long hair that the conditioner will make your back break out if you don't wash it off.
__________________
Bad taste is like a nice dash of paprika. We all could use more of it. It's no taste I'm against. -Diana Vreeland
Isubatgirl-where can I get the product you recommended at? I looked in Sephora.com but didn't find it, maybe I looked in the wrong place? I really hope that BP will work for me......
Bex- I've been using Zapparella since you posted about it (went and bought it that same day, I'm desperate!) but has not done anything for me
do you know if Sephora is good at exchanging used products like that?