Help me look my best at my wedding

June 13, 2008 7:44 AM

What's the best way to treat or hide a mild case of adult acne on the shoulders without going to a dermatologist?

I'm wearing a strapless dress for my wedding and I have a mild case of acne (and scars from previous blemishes) on my shoulders. I rarely have breakouts on my face. I have 4 months to make it go away, or if it won't, figure out how best to cover it. Birth control is not an option, and my insurance won't cover a dermatologist for this kind of thing. My diet is fairly healthy (about half my meals are vegetarian). I rarely eat junk food, but I probably don't drink enough water. I don't drink or smoke; my only weakness is caffeine and that's only 2 times/day. I'm 33 years old, FWIW.

posted by desjardins to clothing, beauty, & fashion (34 comments total)

Pick up a script for Stievamycin from your GP. It will take 2 months or so to work, but it has been miraculous for my acne and subsequent scarring. I've recommended it on here quite a bit.
posted by meerkatty at 7:53 AM on June 13, 2008 [1 favorite]

Have you tried any anti-acne type body wash with salicylic acid?
posted by LolaGeek at 7:58 AM on June 13, 2008

I agree about the Stievamycin. It shouldn't be too expensive. It exfoliates the hell out of your skin, but in my experience constant exfoliation is the best way to treat acne.

If you dont' go with the stievamycin I would make sure to regularly exfoliate with a scrub, or I really like those exfoliating gloves they sell at drugstores -- really good for body exfoliation and makes you smooth all over.
posted by Flying Squirrel at 7:59 AM on June 13, 2008

Have you tried an acne face wash with salicylic acid in it?
posted by All.star at 8:00 AM on June 13, 2008

LolaGeek beat me to it. :)
posted by All.star at 8:00 AM on June 13, 2008

Make sure you wash your sheets and bedding once a week and do not rewear shirts. I never realized what a difference it made when I washed my pillowcases more often than I usually did.

Another thing that helped me a lot was tea tree oil. Drip it onto a Q-Tip (do NOT let the Q-Tip touch the hole the oil is coming out of) and spot treat. You don't want to use gauze and wipe because you don't want to spread the oils around your skin. When it gets dry, use a clean finger to apply Peter Thomas Roth's Sulfur Cooling Masque. Wash it off when it dries, apply oil free moisturizer and have a good night's sleep.
posted by spec80 at 8:00 AM on June 13, 2008

Antibiotics can work like magic, are cheap, and are available from your regular doctor.

BUT

If it's little tiny bumps, it might be a fungal infection, and antibiotics can actually make it worse. Treatment for the fungal infection to avoid sweating or at all having moisture on the area, shy away from moisturizers there. If you go out into the hot outside for any length of time, shower immediately afterward. Dress very coolly for commuting in a hot car, then put on another layer when you arrive at your destination. Fungal infections are very difficult to fight; even the available meds don't work that well. And shoulders is a common location for them, particularly if your face is clear. You can probably guess why I know so much about this now.

What will help both potential problems -- a lot -- is drastically reducing the amount of sugar / carbohydrates in your diet and body. Both the acne bacteria and the fungal dudes require sugar to live, so reduce what they get and they are seriously weakened.

Exercise also reduces the amount of sugar in your body - you use it up in exercising. And being generally healthier sometimes helps with skin stuff, and you'll look even *better* for your wedding.

I should follow my own advice, but maybe the wedding will be your magic motivator.
posted by amtho at 8:00 AM on June 13, 2008

Oh, and the caffeine will hurt you. Try cutting it out for a while and see what happens.
posted by amtho at 8:01 AM on June 13, 2008

I have a little bit of that. At night when I washed my face, I would use astringent to clean the affected areas, and some nights I'd use a little over-the-counter zit cream. Things seem to have cleared up considerably since I started.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 8:02 AM on June 13, 2008 [1 favorite]

Are you absolutely sure it's acne? If you're getting very obvious red zits and blackheads, then a course of oral antibiotics, in addition to the topical treatments recommended here, may do the trick. I know you don't want to go to a dermatologist, but spending $50-100 to clear up your skin before your wedding may be worth it, once you compare it to all your other costs.

OTOH, if the skin is full of little bumps, with what seem like little plugs that can be scraped off, it may not be acne, but something like keratosis pilaris, which requires different treatment. Salicylic acid may work, or you may need a mild hydrocortisone. Again, this would require a doctor's visit. I had a diagnosis and flare-up of KP this winter, and found that all the acne fighting treatments I'd been using were actually making it worse. As long as I use my topical treatment, my skin gets much better.
posted by rosebuddy at 8:13 AM on June 13, 2008

do you have long hair? sometimes i get acne from my hair hanging over my back a lot; it's also dependent on the kind of shampoo and conditioner i use (and how thoroughly i wash off the conditioner, too). scrubbing your back with a scrub and/or rough washcloth also helps a lot.
posted by aielen at 8:15 AM on June 13, 2008

Seconding the suggestion of conditioner/long hair as the culprit, especially if the acne is mostly just localized on your shoulders and back. I recently started putting my hair up in a clip immediately after I condition it, then rinsing upside down so the conditioner never touches my back, and that worked surprisingly well to clear up bacne.

You could also try beta-hydroxy acid treatments like this one-- they'll exfoliate your back and shoulders and clean the pores, but aren't as drying or irritating as lots of scrubbing or harsh soap (sadly, stressed, dried out skin just causes more acne-- it's a vicious cycle). Just put your hair up, spray on after a shower or before bed, let dry, and you're done.

Lastly, washing the affected area (or even just your hair) with Head and Shoulders dandruff shampoo seems to work for some people-- something about the medication in the shampoo, I believe.

Regardless, though, you'll probably want to cover your bases by buying a good concealer, just in case. The folks in the forums at makeupalley might have helpful suggestions based on your skin type/color. Definitely get a concealer brush (for more precise/realistic application), test the concealer color in indoor AND outdoor light before you buy, and take a friend with you to assist in applying/assessing the match in spots you can't easily see yourself.
posted by Bardolph at 8:39 AM on June 13, 2008

Seconding tea tree oil - you can also put a few drops in a bath, and soak for a while.
posted by Tapioca at 8:41 AM on June 13, 2008

The Regimen.
posted by mingshan at 9:03 AM on June 13, 2008

My dermatologist recommends I wash my back and shoulders every day with Panoxyl soap. I've been using it for years, and think it helps (at least, my back-acne, complete with subcutaneous nasties generally only flares up when I haven't been using it).

And sweat is your enemy. As other people have said, change out of sweaty clothes into clean, dry ones, and never wear dirty shirts.
posted by J-Train at 9:28 AM on June 13, 2008

Thanks for all the suggestions. Short hair all my life, so that's not the culprit.
posted by desjardins at 9:42 AM on June 13, 2008

PanOxyl Bar is available without a prescription, and it works really well.
posted by mynameismandab at 9:52 AM on June 13, 2008

Seconding Paula's Choice. Buy the 2% salicylic acid treatment linked by Bardolph, and get a spray pump for any hard-to-reach areas.

Note: if you've tried salicylic acid in the past, and it didn't work for you, please don't give up on it! I tried multiple OTC salicylic acid treatments, all of which either caused redness or irritation and thought it was a useless treatment. Then I read about how most are poorly formulated with the wrong pH level. After using the Paula's Choice brand, I've found it to be much more effective.

There's some excellent reading material on skincare over here. Hope this helps.
posted by invisible ink at 9:59 AM on June 13, 2008

Even when I had short hair, I found that the residue from certain hair products would cause problems with the skin on my back. No matter how much rinsing I do, no matter that I wash and condition my hair and only later wash my back and neck with cleanser, there's an obvious correlation between breakouts and certain hair products (Pantene's being some of the worst offenders, but certainly not the only ones). Conversely, I found that my back stays very clear when I'm using Nature's Gate's Tea Tree Oil shampoo and conditioner. Not only do these products not have the chemicals that seem to clog my pores, I think the tea tree oil actually helps clear my skin. Might be worth a shot.
posted by vytae at 10:02 AM on June 13, 2008

I get acne on my chest and back when I use shampoos and conditioner with fragrance. I recommend:
T-Sal shampoo by Neutrogena is both fragrance free and contains salicylic acid, which some others here have recommended.
T-Sal Conditioner is also fragrance-free, but I don't like it as much as the fragrance free conditioners at Whole Foods. There is one that comes in a multi-strip bottle, I think it is called "Majik" or "Magik" conditioner, and that stuff is great.
The final thing I would recommend is derma-e Clear Skin 1 Problem Skin Cleanser, which contains a lot of tea tree oil. It is too drying for my face, but is great otherwise. If you do try “The Regimen” mentioned by mingshan above, try it now and not a month before your wedding. Apparently I am one of those few people allergic to benzoyl peroxide. Not pretty and rather painful.
A little spray-on tan right before the wedding would help, too. And, this is weird but, swimming in chlorine pools also helps my skin stay break-out free, I guess it opens up my pores (and soaks them in chemicals...). Try not to worry about it too much. But, you should be prepared with a lovely shawl for pictures if you are feeling self conscious about your shoulders in four months.
posted by Eringatang at 10:02 AM on June 13, 2008

10 percent benzoyl peroxide wash - Oxy Wash
posted by caddis at 10:30 AM on June 13, 2008

Treat your back and shoulders with the same level of care as your face. Use the same type of products. Exfoliate, cleanse, light non-clogging moisturizer, possibly with alpha hydroxy or the like.

Seconding washing your sheets more often and not re-wearing shirts -- it makes a surprisingly huge difference.

A month before the wedding, consider getting a "back-cial" or whatever your locally well-regarded salon/spa calls a facial for your back. (Don't do it right before the wedding, as the extractions can be a little irritating in the short-term.)
posted by desuetude at 10:54 AM on June 13, 2008

i find using antibacterial soap helps. so does regular exfoliation and, yes, a little sun.

i find most exfoliating creams actually make my acne worse, because the little grains themselves get caught in my pores. so i use a loofah and/or honey mixed with coarse salt (which dissolves and therefore won't clog the pores).

a cream with 2% salicylic acid will also help.

using unscented fabric softener (and even just -less- fabric softener) also seems to help.
posted by thinkingwoman at 11:08 AM on June 13, 2008

Echoing the Paula's Choice recommendation. The beta-hydroxy exfoliant has been great for me. Also washing the shoulders after rinsing out conditioner.
posted by gingerbeer at 12:09 PM on June 13, 2008

Nthing those who've said that the remedy is going depend on figuring out exactly what's wrong. If it's something other than acne (like some kind of militis, as others have suggested) then dousing yourself with salicylic acid may not help and could actually make things worse.

I think that the best course of action is a visit to your general practictioner, who will probably be able to help you figure out whether your condition is the result of a bacterial infection (some, but not all, acne is) or whether it's something else.

Depending on what your doctor says, your next step might be an appointment (or several) with an aesthetician for a "backcial"(something like this) . A warning, though: in my experience, aestheticians range from miracle workers to clueless stylists who do more harm than good, so make sure to get a referral or go to a salon you trust.

If it is acne, I second the recommendation of the acne.org "regimen." I was skeptical of it, but I tried it after I suddenly developed a serious case of cystic adult acne that defied every treatment-- except acne.org's recommendation of benzoyl peroxide. (They recommend a 2.5% solution; I tried 10% and 5% and found that the latter is best for me, but YMMV.)

There are a lot of products out there for "body acne." I've heard good things about the ones made by Neutrogena and Clinique, both of which use salicylic acid as their active ingredient. From what I gather, salicylic acid-based acne products are fine if your problem is excess oil, but benzoyl peroxide is your best bet if you're dealing with more persistent, bacteria-caused acne. (That's just what I've found through trial and error-- again, check with a doctor.)
posted by chickletworks at 12:35 PM on June 13, 2008

This shit is the bomb. I had the same problem (tho I don't wear strapless gowns), and it took about two weeks with these wash pads to do the trick:

The salicylic acid seems to be the magic ingredient.

Congrats on your wedding!
posted by zenpop at 12:52 PM on June 13, 2008

I had/have a similar issue and it annoyed the heck out of me. Here's what I found worked:

- 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide twice a day (as recommended in the previously-mentioned Acne.org Regimen) is key -- anything higher than that tends to bleach clothes and irritate skin. Apply liberally after a shower and before moisturizer (if you moisturize your back -- I don't). I've shopped around and Acne.org's Daniel Kern brand seems to be the best price and quality. (I'm not affiliated in any way, just a loyal customer.)

- Change your pajama shirt every night. I actually change my pillowcase every night too and that makes a huge difference for my face.

- Gentle face/body wash with a washcloth. Be sure to wash your back thoroughly. Some spots can be tough to reach, and when I break out it's always in areas where I was too lazy to be thorough every day. Wash the washcloth.

Congratulations on your wedding, and good luck to you!
posted by CruiseSavvy at 1:42 PM on June 13, 2008

I managed to cure a case of adult onset, heinous, scarifying facial acne with diligent, gentle weekly exfoliation and niacinamide powder. You can get it from other online vendors, or from ebay, and it's cheap. You can add it to a light body lotion and apply it after a shower. Also, I would recommend gentle treatment. Don't scrub at it, don't pick at it, and don't use harsh soaps or acne products, because with the stress you're facing (even the good kind of your upcoming wedding), your pimples might blow up bigger and badder than ever. Gentle exfoliation means: salicylic acid, in modest amounts.

If you think it's hormonally related, you could try Vitex as a supplement, but I wouldn't advise doing it unless you thoroghly read the research and consider any other supplements and medications you're taking with it. MSM helped me, too, but it's not for everyone since you can wind up with stomach upset.
posted by Issithe at 3:31 PM on June 13, 2008

A light moisturiser. (Straight after a (warm then rinse with as cold as you can stand) shower. While you're still wet.) If your skin is too dry it quickly becomes too oily to counter that.

And *sigh* because it is for your wedding. All I'm going to say is get a soft scrubbing brush. One on a stick if you can't reach your back. (Think nice big horse brush). Strokes should go with the direction of hair growth ideally - but just never against! Use dry brush on dry skin!! Shower and moisurise (and clean the brush) when you're done. My skin de-sensitised quickly so I graduated to a stiffer brush (still soft!!) - it just achieves the same result faster. It won't fix everything but it's good. Very very good :)

Oh and as a last resort... if you have moles on your back already?? Any last minute blemishes, you could just colour in on the day.
posted by mu~ha~ha~ha~har at 4:31 PM on June 13, 2008

I've had good results with green tea extract and Skin supplements by Solaray. Drink as much water as you can stand right up to your big day. It will make your skin luminous.

Basically repeating all that was already said: The advice about changing sheets/shirts often is critical. Also, give your back a good wash and rinse (with an exfoliating brush if possible) after you wash out your conditioner in the shower so that no residue is left behind.

Any remaining acne or scars can effectively be covered up by a makeup artist if you're having your makeup done or with practice by you on the big day. Congrats on your wedding!
posted by tinamonster at 8:14 PM on June 13, 2008

Since most others are talking about treatment, I'll suggest airbrushed makeup in the event you need to do some covering-up. Many, many makeup artists are proficient in applying it. It covers beautifully, looks natural, and lasts.
posted by houseofdanie at 9:08 PM on June 13, 2008

Nthing the issue with conditioner. I use Garnier Fructis, and if I don't rinse it off thoroughly in the shower, I'm guaranteed to sprout some bacne the next day.

I like the St. Ives' apricot scrub with salicylic acid, though-- it exfoliates nicely and usually gets things under control, combined with a spot treatment of tea tree oil on the tough stuff.
posted by fairytale of los angeles at 11:24 PM on June 13, 2008

A slightly late response, but I hope it's useful.

There are only two things that have ever worked to get rid of my long-term spots/acne. The first was Chinese herbal medicine. I guess if you're in the States you have Chinese herbalists on the High Street (or your equivalent) as we do in the UK. I had to brew up some revolting tea to drink twice a day.. but it really worked! Took away the spots I'd had for years. I also had acupuncture at the same time, but I'm certain it was the tea that worked.

In the end I ran out of money and stopped (I think the tea was £20 [$40] a bag, which lasted two days if I remember correctly) and after a while my skin went bad again, although not as bad as it had been.

Then I was introduced to EFT. It's a wacky concept, especially for a physical problem, but I promise it worked and I've hardly suffered at all since. It takes 1 minute, I did it twice a day and I saw results within a couple of weeks. Best of all, it's free! If you do it along with whichever orthodox treatment you choose it may help speed up the healing process. Email me through my profile if you want any more information on it.

Have a fantastic wedding!
posted by Happycat79 at 7:40 AM on June 14, 2008

Oh, and yes, drink lots of water and cut out chocolate. i never listened to this advice from my Mum when I was younger, but it does make a huge difference!
posted by Happycat79 at 9:26 AM on June 14, 2008