[Kinitari]

Wow, I didn't realize acne was such a huge deal for so many people. I never break out, and I could count the pimples I've gotten in my life on one hand.

I didn't come in here to brag though, I've started seeing a girl and she's great and I think she's beautiful and all that, but she has complained to me a bit about her acne. On her face? Minimal, she gets a few zits here or there, usually around her upper lip area and adjacent to that on her cheeks, like 3 or so at most usually - but by the time one starts going away, another appears.

Anyway, her bigger issue is on her back, she does have her share of backne - I honestly didn't really notice it until she mentioned it today, but yeah - it's there.

Mind you GAF - doesn't really bother me, as I hadn't even noticed it, but I have noticed that she's pretty self conscious about it (at least when I think about it in retrospect) - anything I can do, aside from reassurance, to help? Her face acne is mild, and her back acne I'll say is... medium severity. White, caucasian 23 years old. Not on birth control (yet, but we've talked about it and it looks like the path we're going to take).

[SolKane]

Wow, I didn't realize acne was such a huge deal for so many people. I never break out, and I could count the pimples I've gotten in my life on one hand. I didn't come in here to brag though, I've started seeing a girl and she's great and I think she's beautiful and all that, but she has complained to me a bit about her acne. On her face? Minimal, she gets a few zits here or there, usually around her upper lip area and adjacent to that on her cheeks, like 3 or so at most usually - but by the time one starts going away, another appears. Anyway, her bigger issue is on her back, she does have her share of backne - I honestly didn't really notice it until she mentioned it today, but yeah - it's there. Mind you GAF - doesn't really bother me, as I hadn't even noticed it, but I have noticed that she's pretty self conscious about it (at least when I think about it in retrospect) - anything I can do, aside from reassurance, to help? Her face acne is mild, and her back acne I'll say is... medium severity. White, caucasian 23 years old. Not on birth control (yet, but we've talked about it and it looks like the path we're going to take).

I think acne is kind of like any self-esteem issue - impossible for that person to not see, but possible (and very likely) to not be seen by others, as you stated. But unlike some things acne can't be easily hidden, especially facial acne, and attempting to hide it with make-up can often worsen your condition. As someone who had acne it was very hard to ever have much self-confidence, and honestly the best thing that I ever did about was to see a dermatologist who was very frank about the condition and severity of my acne, and put me on accutane which is reserved for severe cases of cystic acne. Obviously reassuring her probably won't do much good if she doesn't personally feel that she is attractive, but you can just try to be supportive as possible, and help her seek solutions to it if that's what she is willing and able to do. That might mean doing research or going shopping for skincare products with her, or even visiting a professional dermatologist if that's the route she wants to take. There are also a lot of support groups on the web (acne.org is a useful one), where you could also ask for advice.

[Rentahamster]

anything I can do, aside from reassurance, to help? Her face acne is mild, and her back acne I'll say is... medium severity. White, caucasian 23 years old. Not on birth control (yet, but we've talked about it and it looks like the path we're going to take).

You could try and use the opportunity to get closer to her by helping her wash her back in the shower, and apply SA or BP cream for her.

[Ether_Snake]

Back acne for me cleared up before in different ways, but came back after if I stopped doing what I was doing:

- Getting tanned in a salon. I was going twice a week, something like 10 min each time.
- Making sure I would never wear the same shirt twice without washing it, unless I was wearing a tank-top underneath, in which case it had to be a different one each time.
- Recently, since I went gluten-free (and very limited dairy consumption), but even my face acne cleared up as a result.

No idea really what causes it to begin with. Unlike the face though, I'm thinking it should be easier to treat with cleansers and the like. I know that scratching my back or popping them on my back always worsened things much more than if I did so to my face. So I'd be careful not to do that.

Oh and one thing I ALWAYS do now: rip off the tag off the back of any shirt. This shit causes friction and just worsens it. I'd suggest she do that to any shirt she has.

[Xun]

My acne has come out insanely bad again recently. :(

Ugh.

[OG Kush]

Went on accutane for 6 months. Helped a lot but not 100%. Still get the occasional spot on my face, still a some redness, scars and blackheads.
it also didn't help 1 bit with my back acne. I'm stuggling with that right now. Any tips would be usefull. A lot of scarring there and off-coloured skin (as in the scars are easily seen as they're a diff tone from the rest of my skin). I use bio-oil for scars and skin pigmentation, and ahve been for voer 6 months now. Its helping a bit but I feel I need something better. Also use a neutrogena back wash for the spots. (cystic acne on bacK)
I've tried so many things, so many washes, researched a lot.. got the tea tree oil, benzyl peroxide, apple cider vinegar etc etc.
No decided best way is all-natural as much as possible, atleast for me.
For people with blackheads try the bentonite clay powder. its 100% natural powder from volcanic ash. Loads of minerals and it tightens your pores really well.
I'm gonna try at that oatmeal mask thing, and I've heard lemon juice is good as well to balance out the ph in your body... who knows...
Any tips for back acne would be helpful though! thanks

[bob page]

Wow, I didn't realize acne was such a huge deal for so many people. I never break out, and I could count the pimples I've gotten in my life on one hand. I didn't come in here to brag though, I've started seeing a girl and she's great and I think she's beautiful and all that, but she has complained to me a bit about her acne. On her face? Minimal, she gets a few zits here or there, usually around her upper lip area and adjacent to that on her cheeks, like 3 or so at most usually - but by the time one starts going away, another appears. Anyway, her bigger issue is on her back, she does have her share of backne - I honestly didn't really notice it until she mentioned it today, but yeah - it's there. Mind you GAF - doesn't really bother me, as I hadn't even noticed it, but I have noticed that she's pretty self conscious about it (at least when I think about it in retrospect) - anything I can do, aside from reassurance, to help? Her face acne is mild, and her back acne I'll say is... medium severity. White, caucasian 23 years old. Not on birth control (yet, but we've talked about it and it looks like the path we're going to take).

Does your GF use shampoo/conditioner that has SLS in it? I found that much of my back/chest acne resulted from shampoo running off onto my skin after I washed it out of my hair. Switching to a natural shampoo without SLS/parabens helped with this significantly.

[PS3GamerKyle]

Been using a salicylic 20% acid peel for my facial acne. Don't have severe, but definitely have mild acne and it has been getting as of late. After using the peel for about a month, the results were so-so. It helped with the previous acne but did nothing to stop new acne.

I have a meeting with a dermatologist in 2 weeks, but today I tried the oatmeal facial mask. My skin definitely feels better, but as for whether or not it'll help my acne, is yet to be seen. I'm really hoping this helps.

[DragonKnight]

Just got the mandelic acid peel in the mail. Hopefully within two months I'll have something to write home about. Not expecting anything but a waste of money though.

[OG Kush]

Aint yall read the secret? Postive thinking, bitches!

[Takao]

Oh man, I've got a huge pimple on my forehead

FFFFUUU why my forehead have to be so large...

[RatskyWatsky]

Does your GF use shampoo/conditioner that has SLS in it? I found that much of my back/chest acne resulted from shampoo running off onto my skin after I washed it out of my hair. Switching to a natural shampoo without SLS/parabens helped with this significantly.

Any SLS free shampoo recommendations?

[TheVampire]

How do you guys deal with blackheads?

I have heaps on my nose and I have tried those white strip things you put on then peel off 10 minutes later but they hardly pick up any at all!

Should I just go at it using my fingers to sqeeze them all out?
Or is that a big no no like poping pimples which leaves scars by doing that.

[Saadster]

How do you guys deal with blackheads? I have heaps on my nose and I have tried those white strip things you put on then peel off 10 minutes later but they hardly pick up any at all! Should I just go at it using my fingers to sqeeze them all out? Or is that a big no no like poping pimples which leaves scars by doing that.

Honestly I get a few, and I squeeze them out when the time is right. They slowly come closer and closer to the surface of the skin and then it's not too difficult to take them out. HOWEVER, if you try to take them out and it's not the right time, nothing will come out and a nasty zit will appear there because you agitated the area.

[bob page]

How do you guys deal with blackheads? I have heaps on my nose and I have tried those white strip things you put on then peel off 10 minutes later but they hardly pick up any at all! Should I just go at it using my fingers to sqeeze them all out? Or is that a big no no like poping pimples which leaves scars by doing that.

Wash your face with a cleanser and use toner, like witch hazel.

[Jake.]

for the last year or so (i'm almost 25) i have had pretty common breakouts on my forehead, yet the rest of my face is clear. no idea why - i use epiduo (prescription) cream but it doesn't do much. sucks.

[bob page]

for the last year or so (i'm almost 25) i have had pretty common breakouts on my forehead, yet the rest of my face is clear. no idea why - i use epiduo (prescription) cream but it doesn't do much. sucks.

Do you use hairgel? Do you change your pillow case often? Do you use shampoo with SLS? Do you sweat along your hairline? Any of these could be the issue.

[Jake.]

Do you use hairgel? Do you change your pillow case often? Do you use shampoo with SLS? Do you sweat along your hairline? Any of these could be the issue.

1. no.
2. once a week.
3. no idea what SLS is.
4. in summer, yeah (i live in australia) but it was still a problem in colder months.

[Fancy Corndog]

Wash your face slowly and gently when you wash it, and take a shower in the morning and at night (these are the only two times you should wash your face).

Washing your hands often might help.

These things did WONDERS for me.
http://www.acne.org/clean-clear-oil-.../41/page1.html

Also, Accutane does work. It dries you up- I remember the tops of my hands being dry (wtf), but it definitely worked.

[bob page]

1. no. 2. once a week. 3. no idea what SLS is. 4. in summer, yeah (i live in australia) but it was still a problem in colder months.

SLS = sodium laureth sulfate. It's in tons of personal care products but is also one of the most common skin irritants. Most shampoos have SLS.

If you're looking for alternatives, Yes to Carrots is pretty good. Trader Joe's also sells a good tea tree shampoo that doesn't have SLS. You can even use Dr. Bronner's liquid soap as shampoo.

[Anastacio]

My acne has come out insanely bad again recently. :( Ugh.

I'm just curious, did you take Accutane?

Edit: And talking about Accutane, I think I'm about 4 months after the treatment, and I see two pimples could be on their way, hopefully they'll go away over night before they actually become pimples.

[Xun]

I'm just curious, did you take Accutane? Edit: And talking about Accutane, I think I'm about 4 months after the treatment, and I see two pimples could be on their way, hopefully they'll go away over night before they actually become pimples.

No, I'd honestly rather not touch the stuff.

[Ether_Snake]

Damn one thing I hate every winter is how even if my face is clear, wearing a scarf causes pimples to appear on the sides of my neck. Probably due friction or something, even if there is not much friction. Every time I have to stop wearing it and it goes away, but man, no scarf in winter sucks>:(

[bob page]

Damn one thing I hate every winter is how even if my face is clear, wearing a scarf causes pimples to appear on the sides of my neck. Probably due friction or something, even if there is not much friction. Every time I have to stop wearing it and it goes away, but man, no scarf in winter sucks>:(

Does the scarf have acrylic or anything other than wool & cotton? I've found that acrylic definitely irritates my skin when it makes direct contact.

[Anastacio]

Oh, the two pimples I thought were on their way last night is gone today.

Though, the side-effect of dry lips is annoying me a bit, but it's still better than acne.

[Drealmcc0y]

I read that toothpaste can give spots around the mouth, which is where I get the majority of my spots. The ingredients fluoride and sodium laurl sulfate are the ingredients that "supposedly" cause the spots.

I went to my local Tesco and looked at all the ingredients for the toothpastes available and every single toothpaste had those ingredients.

Except one. I bought it and im hoping to god its the cure.

Anybody hear anything or experience about this?

[tri_willy]

is there a good topical cream/solution that may reduce the appearance of acne scars?

so far ive tried:

rosehip oil - takes quite some time
tea tree oil - gives an inflammatory effect on the acne itself

[bob page]

is there a good topical cream/solution that may reduce the appearance of acne scars? so far ive tried: rosehip oil - takes quite some time tea tree oil - gives an inflammatory effect on the acne itself

Use alpha hydroxy cream. It takes months/years to make a difference, but it definitely works for some people.

I've been using it for about 20 months now and my scars are definitely less apparent, as well as my skin being smoother.

You can try something like Sudocrem for short-term help- it's great for concealing blemishes and covering up that kind of stuff.

[Scythe27]

is there a good topical cream/solution that may reduce the appearance of acne scars? so far ive tried: rosehip oil - takes quite some time tea tree oil - gives an inflammatory effect on the acne itself

Mederma works really well. I've been using it for just a few weeks and have already noticed a considerable difference.

[Lakitu]

I used to get bad facial acne but my face is virtually clear right now. My problem is some spots on my chest and VERY bad acne on my upper back / shoulders. I have been fighting this for so long now, the Doctor prescribed me a topical lotion and some medication that haven't done shit, I wash every night, in fact I've done everything. The only time I got rid of it when I was in Cyprus, the tan I had got rid of everything on my back but here in England, it's a different story.

Don't know what to do, it's gone so bad it's gone to the point that I'm afraid to have sex anymore, no way a girl will look at that and say 'wowwww so hawt;' - she'd probably puke, it's that bad. Help.

[Scythe27]

Using a loofah will help remove the dead skin cells, but if you scrub too hard you could actually make it worse to be careful. I'd also suggest using a topical benzoyl peroxide cream depending on how sensitive your skin is. The cream will dry out the acne and cause it to scab, at which point you can you can use the loofah to scrub and smooth your skin.

[Ether_Snake]

I read that toothpaste can give spots around the mouth, which is where I get the majority of my spots. The ingredients fluoride and sodium laurl sulfate are the ingredients that "supposedly" cause the spots. I went to my local Tesco and looked at all the ingredients for the toothpastes available and every single toothpaste had those ingredients. Except one. I bought it and im hoping to god its the cure. Anybody hear anything or experience about this?

You harm and hammer baking soda. It works amazingly well, this shit kills bad breath MUCH more effectively than any mouthwash+toothpaste. Just put a bit in a glass with a bit of soda.

I used to get bad facial acne but my face is virtually clear right now. My problem is some spots on my chest and VERY bad acne on my upper back / shoulders. I have been fighting this for so long now, the Doctor prescribed me a topical lotion and some medication that haven't done shit, I wash every night, in fact I've done everything. The only time I got rid of it when I was in Cyprus, the tan I had got rid of everything on my back but here in England, it's a different story. Don't know what to do, it's gone so bad it's gone to the point that I'm afraid to have sex anymore, no way a girl will look at that and say 'wowwww so hawt;' - she'd probably puke, it's that bad. Help.

Same for me, when I was getting tanned in a salon it cleared it. That's all I can suggest, along with removing the tags of any shirt you have to reduce friction, and looking into changing shampoo.

For the chest, do you have it? If I use a razor blade, it will break out. If I use my Norelco body groomer, it doesn't.

[OG Kush]

I started using benzol peroxyde about a 10 days. FUCK THAT SHIT. It changed the colour of my skin. I have brown skin and It made it darker. I have weird patches of darker skin now on my face.

[Drealmcc0y]

I started using benzol peroxyde about a 10 days. FUCK THAT SHIT. It changed the colour of my skin. I have brown skin and It made it darker. I have weird patches of darker skin now on my face.

Yeah I used that. My face turned red and my skin went flakey.

[dudeworld]

I started using benzol peroxyde about a 10 days. FUCK THAT SHIT. It changed the colour of my skin. I have brown skin and It made it darker. I have weird patches of darker skin now on my face.

just FYI, I've noticed that pimples are a lot harder to see on brown or black people than on white people. depending how bad your acne really is, you probably don't need to go all-out with creams and treatments and shit like that

[Joshua_Jones]

Just saw this thread pop up so I thought I'd throw out a suggestion. I've been on pretty much everything. Differin Cream worked well for years but eventually stopped for whatever reason. Did two rounds of Accutane, which helped a huge amount, but you cant stay on that forever. High doses of Minocycline helped a lot as well but again, cant be on that for too long till you have to take a break.

Anyways, I've been using Clenia Foaming Wash and it has worked extremely well for me. I say for me since everyone seems to be different but I just wanted to make the suggestion for anyone who is looking to try something else. Noticed a difference in a couple of weeks. I was in shock since at the time I didn't really think a topical would help me anymore but it did.

Also, something else I noticed that helped me, was that shaving (electric razor that I can clean with water) before I showered instead of after really helped. Opened pores? That, and not eating minutes before going to bed and letting my food digest also helped a lot.

Sorry...post got kinda long.

[Scythe27]

I started using benzol peroxyde about a 10 days. FUCK THAT SHIT. It changed the colour of my skin. I have brown skin and It made it darker. I have weird patches of darker skin now on my face.

How much were you using it? I some people that think it's supposed to be applied as a face lotion, but it's really just meant to be spot treatment for acne ridden areas. Also, you need to follow up with a good moisturizer otherwise your skin will dry out and flake. If you had a bad reaction maybe the dose was too high? I know it varies from 2.5% to up to even 10%. That said, it definitely does not agree with everyones skin.

[Arthrus]

One last 40mg pill and I am off Accutane forever. I'm going to miss it.
Despite being a horrible medication for so many people, I never experienced any of the side-effects.

[tri_willy]

Use alpha hydroxy cream. It takes months/years to make a difference, but it definitely works for some people. I've been using it for about 20 months now and my scars are definitely less apparent, as well as my skin being smoother. You can try something like Sudocrem for short-term help- it's great for concealing blemishes and covering up that kind of stuff.

Mederma works really well. I've been using it for just a few weeks and have already noticed a considerable difference.

thanks! i'll try and give these a go

would definitely help if i ate, slept better + stress less

[PS3GamerKyle]

Got prescribed accutane. Getting blood tests on friday and hopefully can pick it up and start it on monday. I'm excited, and optimistic.

Just not excited about the initial breakout. Also, should I exercise caution or abstinence when drinking? Note, I am a dorm-living college student, so the temptation is always there.

[grumble]

Got prescribed accutane. Getting blood tests on friday and hopefully can pick it up and start it on monday. I'm excited, and optimistic. Just not excited about the initial breakout. Also, should I exercise caution or abstinence when drinking? Note, I am a dorm-living college student, so the temptation is always there.

Do not drink alcohol on accutane if you can avoid it. It's hard on the liver.

[Drealmcc0y]

I havent masturbated for 8 days and my skin is the clearest its been in quite a while with no signs of any new spots popping up, just waiting for the old red marks to dissapear. Dont masturbate people!

[OddSpoon]

edit:
'tane threads on here were helpful.

[Ether_Snake]

I havent masturbated for 8 days and my skin is the clearest its been in quite a while with no signs of any new spots popping up, just waiting for the old red marks to dissapear. Dont masturbate people!

It will likely come back strongly as soon as you do again.

My face has cleared thanks to gluten-free diet, sleep, and one niacin supplement in the morning.

It's never 100% clear, but so much better than before.

[DMPrince]

i have to jerk off to keep my acne down LOL. it's like how i switched off junk food without smoothly transitioning.

[OG Kush]

have any of you who said tanning helped them reduce acne thought about taking a vitamin D supplement?

[Salvor.Hardin]

Just thought I'd share my story:

I've had pretty shitty skin since I was 13. I'm 23 now and it's kept up, mostly white heads with an odd cyst every now and then. About 5 years ago I went to the dermatologist and he gave me some medicine and a wash. I didn't use it as recommended, some days I would forget, and because I wasn't seeing an immediate result I was pretty unhappy and didn't continue the stuff. I decided I'd just have to wait my acne out, which was stupid because I have some scars to show for it now.

Anyway, 3 weeks back I decided to visit my gp (I live in Scotland) to get an appointment with a NHS dermatologist, which is standard routine. He recommended me against seeing the derma for accutane, and prescribed me three thing: Tetralysal 300 mg (once a day), Zineryt (applied topically morning and evening) and Panoxyl 10 (applied morning and evening).

Honestly, my skin hasn't been this clear since I was 13. Two weeks now without a single spot, and that's coming from someone who would wake up to at least 5 prominent whiteheads a day. The medicines do dry out the skin, but I use jojoba oil as a moisturizer which works really well and doesn't clog the pores.

I should add that because this was prescribed through the NHS, all my medicines were free. So I don't know how costly this stuff is for you guys in the States.

Here's hoping this keeps up! Does anyone else have experience with this stuff?

[Dilly]

I used Tetralysal and while it definately helped, it didn't totally clear my face. Then, when I started to get Acne on my shoulders and upperback it didn't help at all so I had to start Accutane.

Considering your age, I guess it should help just fine.

[OG Kush]

I got presrcibed tetralysal by the NHS as well. bad story though, I had a really bad allergic reaction to. broke out in rashes all over my body, my chest ached, my eyes got swollen. I looked like a real mess haha.

[demented]

Been on accutane twice, visited many dermatologist, including head of dermatology(biggest !@#$ I even met), visiting specialist who's supposedly best in our two countries etc.
Nothing helped, they are coming back, sometimes whitehead which goe away pretty fast but red spots remain and more often just little red spot appears and they stay there for months.
It's been like 10 years and seems like I'm not growing out of it.

At the moment my solution is... makeup. Not a lot of it by any means, I have some concealer and foundation and I use it when going out or for some other occasions.
So yeah, if they really affect you like they fucked with my mind for a long time you might as well try it if you're open minded ;)


P.S. If you're thinking it's some heavy makeup that makes you look like a clown, no, just a little that will cover the spots and that matches your skin nicely.