anyone got a cure for bacne?!

[PontyGirl]

at having to ask this

I've suffered for an age with this, it comes and goes but ATM looks really bad. we're not talking horrific traditional acne, more like lots of little spots right across my upper back (you can feel them more than you can see them iyswim). I exfoliate and moisturise them which seems to help a little, and I've tried Epsom salt baths but they haven't helped at all.

I've always had shitty skin but it drastically improved when I hit my 20's, though the bacne issue has never really resolved. don't really want to go back down the GP/medication root, I exhausted that as a teen and nothing worked!

in advance

*route. Christ.

I have suffered bacne for years - mercifully my face has always been OK, not completely clear but tolerable. But other than when I was on the pill or up-the-stick I've had lots of spots and blackheads on my back/neck which I've always been really conscious of and that have prevented me from wearing strappy vests/dresses in the summer. I have avoided swimming because I felt the skin on my back looked so grotty/unclean and I didn't want people to see it and judge. It has been on going for about 25 years!

Finally however in the past 6 months I've been taking fish oil and a supplement that contains zinc and in the winter I took a Vit D supplement as well. I have also been washing my back/neck with LRP Effaclar stuff and my skin has dramatically improved - to the point that I am wearing clothes I would have previously avoided. It might be a winning combination or just one of the above that has helped clear my skin, I'm not sure, but at the ripe old age of 43 I feel that at last I have it under control. Hope that helps!

Shirley thank you! interestingly the bacne dramatically improved when I was pregnant with DD, how strange! thanks for the tips, I have a nice little shopping list for tomorrow now

I know a lot of people swear by Boots Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Back Spray for this. Cheap as anything so definitely worth a go anyway.

ooh thank you! added to my list.

this needs to be gone pretty sharpish as I'm a bridesmaid in a backless soon

Benzoyl peroxide cream which you can buy otc in any chemist always works for me.

I will come and squeeze for you if you like [hopeful emoticon]. This seemed to scare off DH's bacne for good.

shirley - so bizarre, I could hae written your post literally word for word as the exact same combo of things have also cleared my bacne and I'm the same age as you!! So yes, fish oil, vit d and effaclar all get a thumbs up from me too.
The clear-when-preggers thing is apparently because this kind of acne is triggered by changes in hormone levels by the way.

thing I share your joy in squeezing, but bacne HURTS! which is why I love squeezing any that come up on DH

yong I had a feeling it was hormonal. This is all fab advice, thank you all!

Also - wash your back after you've rinsed off your conditioner. I've read in several places that bacne can be exacerbated by shampoo and conditioner residue.

Sunshine helps me

Glotherapeutics Back Acne Spray really worked for me - it has salicylic acid in it and sprays well from any angle.