calikid2006

I have had ongoing folliculitis on the front of my neck where I grow hair/ shave for about 5 months now, and don't really know what to do. It just won't go away, and some of the blemishes are very deep and get real sore. I shave with a hair buzzer to keep my hair a bit longer so not to irritate things.

I have also developed a bad case of upper backne in the past 5 months, and this too won't go away.

I rode my bicycle from florida where I lived to california over the summer and got a lot of sun exposure, but I wore tons of sunblock and a hat always. Im not sure if that has anything to do with it. I didn't have any skin problems until after the trip.

Any suggestions on things I can try out before paying to see a dermatologist?

If it matters Im 23 and in good health.

Thanks

marcelala

You should try IPL or Laser hair removal on your neck. The hair growth its stimulating more of the infection. My ex just to have lots of break outs on his necks and after hair removal treatments are gone. And the same for your back, (IPL acne treatments) you probably most have acne in other areas...? or maybe is in the family...? Good luck!

StayingYoung

I don't know if your familiar with that new show on NBC but it is called Doctors (or something like that). It is very interesting, they have a panel of doctors (all specializing in different areas and focus on difference health related issue each day.

I caught an episode about acne, they said for backne they best thing to do is to use vinegar. They said to pour some vinegar on a back scrub while in the shower and rub it on your back. It is important not to do this until you have been in the warm shower for a few minutes b/c then your pores will be more open.

I thought that this was a very nice/natural option! Good luck!

Freddy

Instead of using lasers, why not use a bodywash with salycilic acid in it? It's basically the same stuff used for the face but designed for the body.

Also make sure you shower after every workout and sweat (gardening, shovelling snow, jog, whatever) and wear loose fitting tops.

hotmama

I had this and I ended up using a gentle wash (I used Belli Acne Wash and yes it is for pregnant women but is AMAZING for anyone) all over my back for about 3 weeks to prepare and then went and got a green peel for my back and it worked!! I have been acne free for 3 years now on my back. The peel was intense and peeled for days and days and you can't go in the sun at all (not that you would want to because it looked pretty yuck with all the skin coming off) but it seemed to give everything a really good clean up and stop the constant bacteria transfer. Give it a go at a good beauty spa that does the real deal, not a light fluffy one. They are ususally done on the face as chemical peel but you just need to ask for the one on the back, they will just charge you more because of the surface area.

Elijon

i have backne and have had it ever since high school - when i have sever break outs i use a salicylic acid spray from Natures cure and/or benzoyle peroxide gel for spot treatments on the deep ones.

i also use sulfur soap by Grandpas brand called Thylox - sulfer is a natural acne treatment. it works great for me if i use it every day.

another thing is to also try to not wear dirty shirts - change clothes after you work out etc....

__________________
no sense insulting bullfrogs.

Freddy

Sulfur soap is said to be pretty good stuff indeed. I remember using the crap proactive line (I don't even know why since I didn't have acne), and just burned my skin. I hate the line except for their sulfur mask.

I think I might source sulfur soap just for the hell of it.

Elijon

yanno i see the commercials for proactive and it makes me cringe, my friends who have used it say it works well while you use it but when you stop using it it makes your acne worse then it ever was before! eww.

i love grandpas thylox soap, it really keeps break outs to a minimum. i have very little face acne - almost none at all. lately i have dropped birthcontrol and my hormones are a little wacky so im breaking out more than usual. i dunno what id do without my sulfur soap!

__________________
no sense insulting bullfrogs.

TOPAZ

I agree with Stayingyoung, but try using baking soda and water mixed into a paste first to exfoliate, then do 1 part apple cider vinegar with 8 parts water, saturate cotton balls or a soft cloth and gently pat all over affected area. That's it, you don't even have to rinse. I have had acne on my face and back for years, after two days of treating it this way, it's almost completely gone. I can't remember what site I saw this on, but I'm impressed by the results.

Hope this helps.

Elijon

that sounds interesting topaz, i think i will try that as well!

__________________
no sense insulting bullfrogs.

Freddy

Any update on this condition?

TOPAZ

Still working great, and the vinegar is evening out the dryness in my skin. We just got our winter weather and yet my skin is softer and less flaky then usual. I'm surprised at how well it is working for me. I always thought old "home remedies" were kind of an unlikely place to find a solution to a problem I've been dealing with for decades. (I use the baking soda on my legs before I shave and find I get less ingrown hairs).
Make sure you keep your mouth closed though, baking soda tastes bloody awful! Oh, and watch the vinegar around your eyes. Both lessons I've learned along the way, neither of which were very pleasant.