Acne on face, chest, and back

[smexiiblade]

I have searched through a lot of websites and I can't really seem to find a cure for my acne.

On my back: I currently don't have any right now, but I get them on seldom occasions.

On my face: My face is clear all around my cheeks, mouth, and nose. But on my forehead, there are a lot of small bumps and red zits. I'm not sure why only my forehead is affected by acne. I do spike up the bangs of my hair very often with hair gel and wash it off before I go to sleep.

On my chest: There are about 5-10 zits that are on my chest and they never seem to go away.

When I take a shower in the morning, I use Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash on my face, chest, and shoulders.
I use the same Acne Wash on my face at night.

Are there any other treatments I should try?

 

[IllgetyouHackman]

I use Clearasil Ultra, it works for me even though my pimples aren't really a problem without it.

 

[Horschallen]

Doctors or dermatologists would know the right information to tell you and prescribe whatever to help clear up acne and prevent them from recurring. Call one to schedule an appointment.

 

[bostonboy20]

I used Acne Free Sensitive Skin formula....it cleared up the small bumps on my forehead that I could never get rid of.

unfortunately now, I've had to stop using it after a year of using it cause when I went to California for some reason it really started drying my skin out...so now I'm using Neutrogena Stress Free Acne Wash in the night and St. Ives Apricot Scrub in the shower in the morning

for my body...my breakouts haven't been as bad as they used to be...but Neutrogena Acne Body wash tends to work for me...though it does dry my skin out a bit...so moisturizer is a necessity.

 

[just4fun]

Oh I feel your pain!

After 10+ years battling back and chest breakouts, I changed my diet, reducing refined sugars and moving to a more natural, healthy mix of raw veggies, lean meats, low sugar snacks and LOTS of plain yogurt (not sugared brands) with fresh fruit. (I have heard the pro-biotics in yogurt are amazing for balancing good and bad bacteria in the body - the root of all acne breakouts).

I have had an 85% clearing of my acne, and it changed within months of my diet change.

No more harsh skin cleansers that barely did a thing. I use natural oatmeal soap from my health food store in my shower.

Good luck! Its what you eat!!!!!

 

[DualPurpose]

Oh for God's sake. While there are many things we don't know about acne, there is one thing we do. It has very little to do with diet. While we're not entirely sure, we know for certain that it doesn't have a direct effect, just on our insulin levels. Any clearing you've experienced is coincidental, literally. Acne does clear for many people after a certain period of time.

Another myth is that acne is caused by bacteria on the surface of the skin. Not true. We don't know why, but sometimes the pores get blocked in our skin. No matter how many times you wash your face, or what you eat, the bacteria is still going to build up under the skin. Sure, you need to wash your face with a simple wash (most doctors just recommend soap and water) — Clearasil and all those harsh products often aggravate skin, but they can be fine for very small, light dustings of acne.

That Neutrogena wash is quite good, once you're not scrubbing. The best I've heard is Cetaphil Cleanser, but if that's not available where you are, try the 'Simple' brand of products.

But as I said, washing your face, unless you have a very light dusting, isn't going to clear a thing.

So, I would recommend going to your General Practitioner. There are several inexpensive prescription medications that work pretty well for many people — often twelve-week courses. You might have to try two or three before one clears them up, but if you're acne is as moderate as you say it is, you shouldn't have a problem.

Then there's the big daddy, or the 'cure' as they call it. It's called Accutane, or Roaccutane depending on where you are. It's the drug Isotretinoin, and it might not have the Accutane brand name, though. There are some side effects, but once you're not too old, you're not too overweight and you get some sleep, acne will be 100% gone in 4/5 users with little problems after four months. However, it's reserved for those who have severe acne, or acne that hasn't responded to other treatments.

There should be plenty of advice if you Google 'acne'.

Any questions, don't hesitate to ask. I'm a medical student who will most likely specialise in dermatology.

Regards,
DP.

 

[LukiusCurtiss]

You should probably see a dermatologist for a more accurate diagnosis. But from my experience this summer shadowing a dermatologist's office. He has always almost prescribed a brevoxyl wash and tretinoin cream. Since the wash is extremely strong, he recommended to moisturize to keep the skin from drying. However, I think you need a prescription to get these creams.
My brother had a really awful bout of acne and tried everything, but after taking the prescription recommended it was like a miracle.
Good Luck!

 

[smexiiblade]

From reading all of the replies, I think there is one obvious solution: talk to a doctor. I'll be sure to schedule an appointment soon. Thanks, everyone!

 

[jubalon]

If it's a serious case of acne, you'll be better off talking to a doctor. I'm uncertain if any skin care-products can help severe acne. I had a problem with it and got some medication for it. It didn't help very much, but there is a drug called roaccutane that's supposed to help. But it has some side effects that are a bit troublesome.

My acne has more or less disappeared now. But 6-7 years with an acne covered back has made it's marks. My back is full of scars that probably won't go away. And it wasn't very cool to go through most of my puberty-years trying to hide my back.

 

[ziliphin01]

The BEST solution for acne is

The sun!

I used to get pimples on my chest and quite badly on my back. Summer comes around and I sit out there for 30 mins a day, works wonders. I find Clearasil gives me pimples but that's fine, doesn't work for all skin types. I have a pill called Doxycyline I think it is, perscribed by the doc for when I have outbreaks I take that for 2 or 3 days. 2 pills on the first day, by the third day I'm good to go back to the sun routines.

Hope this helps!

Last advice. Take a quick shower when you feel abit greesy

 

[jyrdgs]

I didn't break out as a teen at all... when I was 24 I got a pimple and was blown away... then it went all over my back. It was nuts. I've taken antibiotics since. It tool 6 weeks to clear up and started to look worse before it looked better during that time, but I have no regrets for going to the dermatologist. Any med student in derm should have know the answer.