Best way to treat spotty back

[LifeInAHamsterWheel]

My teen DS has got a really spotty back, mostly upper back all across his shoulder blades. What is the best way to treat it? He's quite good at taking care of his skin (facial) but obviously he's struggling to even reach where these spots are and we're not sure whether his usual spot cream would be ok to use on such a bigger area.

If you can get a hold of Stridex pads (soaked in salicylic acid) give them a go. Unfortunately they’re American, I bulk-buy them on eBay. Very good for anywhere you get acne; I get it on my back when I work out and also between my boobs. They dry it out very well. I’ve tried other salicylic acid pads but they’re the best ones I’ve had, no purging effect.

Salicylic acid in a spray. This one worked wonders for my teen.
OxeDerm Body Care 2% Salicylic Acid Spray 150ml/ 5fl.oz https://amzn.eu/d/97gGv9u

My doctor prescribed Differin it worked really well.

This worked when GP prescribed stuff didn't
Lather it up (it's scratchy so use hand/back brush) and let it sit as the last thing in the shower for a minute or so, rinse
I had giant red sore spots and they were gone in a couple of weeks
If it doesn't work, it's soap so you can use it up!

Salicylic Acid Scrub Soap, Pore Exfoliating, Softening Skin, Anti-Blemish amzn.eu/d/iPvqXyF

Oh and I applied it with this

deal: Surlees Back Scrubber for Shower for Men Women Elderly, Bath Brush, Body Brush (15'', Blue) amzn.eu/d/d7dmi5O

Thanks everyone, seems like Salicylic acid is the way to go. I'll have a look at these suggestions and hopefully we'll hit on something that works. It's not quite at a stage yet where he'd need to see a doctor so hopefully one of these options can sort it out for him.

Can I ask if the spots are similar to those that he might get on his face or does his back have the feel of rough sandpaper where there are loads of pimples?

I will say one thing that helped me (as I had longer hair at the time) was to rinse my hair with water in the shower and then to clip it up and then I'd get a back brush or loofah and have a go at my back and it would be the last thing to be washed.

When I got old enough to go to a spa, I used to book a Salt Body Scrub treatment and that helped enormously. Would something like that be available near you and would he be able to use it? The treatment involved getting a scrub applied to my legs (front and back) my arms (front and back) and mainly my back and shoulders. The masseuse exfoliates and then you go in to a shower and wash off all of the dead skin and the salt exfoliator. It sounds grim but you are left with the softest skin and it's so refreshing.

Further to this , does anyone have any advice. DS had acne on his back and ( not longer has it ) but it has left scars ( some red some not) Does anyone have any recommendation or is this a GP thing . It is not causing him any discomfort it is purely the look of it & he can be embarrassed to eg take his top off when swimming etc I don't want to derail the thread but thought someone might have experience of this.

No it's not so much rough or dry skin, but actual pimples like what you'd get on your face.

A product with niacinamide will help.

@LifeInAHamsterWheel loads of salicylic products around. Effaclar by LRP is brilliant. Nip&Fab Teen Fix is also very good.

@LifeInAHamsterWheel and @So1invictus

Thank you very much both

Appreciated

Basilisk

Nizoral. It's a shampoo but contains an ingredient ketoconazole that clears spotty backs.

I use micellar water on cotton pads first to clean the area properly on my DC then apply SA if / as required

It usually goes quite quickly just by cleaning the area with micellar water

Get him to lie down on his front and squeeze the buggers out.

I don't have the constitution for that😅

I've ordered a salicylic acid and will help with applying it, once he's (hopefully) in a 'maintenance' phase I'll put it in a spray bottle and he can do it himself. Thanks everyone for the advice