Acne can occur anywhere on the body, including the face, neck, chest and back. When acne appears on the chest and back, it can be more difficult to treat, and acne can seem resistant to over-the-counter (OTC) acne-fighting creams. To eliminate chest and back acne effectively that seems resistant to OTC medications, a routine incorporating higher-strength treatments should be used. This routine involves cleansing the skin correctly, applying a retinoid cream and hydrating the skin properly.
Step 1
Cleanse the chest and the back using a sensitive skin soap and using a back scratcher. Tie a washcloth to the end of a back scratcher with a rubber band. Wet the washcloth and lather it well with a sensitive skin soap. Spread the lather onto the chest and the back using the back scratcher. Rinse well with water. Repeat two times a day.
Step 2
Medicate the chest and back using a retinoid cream and utilizing a back scratcher. Tie a washcloth to the end of a back scratcher using a rubber band. Squeeze a pea-sized amount of a retinoid cream onto the washcloth, and spread it gently onto the chest. Do not rinse off the cream. Repeat the same process, but apply the pea-sized amount of cream onto the back. Repeat two times per day.
Step 3
Moisturize the chest and back using an oil-free moisturizer and using a back scratcher. Tie a washcloth onto the end of a back scratcher using a rubber band. Squeeze a quarter-sized amount of an oil-free moisturizer onto the washcloth, and spread it gently onto your chest and your back. Repeat two times per day.
Tips and Warnings
- Acne-prone skin becomes irritated, inflamed and can be more sensitive than normal. It is important to use a sensitive skin soap to wash acne-prone skin so that it can be cleaned without being bombarded by the irritating chemical ingredients found in standard soaps. Retinoid creams are derived from a form of Vitamin A, are only available by prescription and should be monitored by a doctor or licensed dermatologist. This is because retinoids are powerful and work by increasing the rate at which skin cells turn over significantly. Old skin cells are sloughed away quickly and replaced by new skin cells. Side effects can be powerful and can include severe redness, dryness, peeling, itching and burning. Using an oil-free moisturizer is helpful in maintaining hydration in skin that is being treated with a retinoid cream. It is important to select an oil-free cream to avoid re-clogging the pores with comedogenic oils.
Things You'll Need
- Sensitive skin soap
- 1 percent retinoid cream
- Oil-free moisturizer
- Back scratcher
- 3 washcloths
- 3 rubber bands
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