Lately I have been breaking out on my back and my neck/chest area, even my shoulders, I can feel them on my scalp too. The spots look like pimples - they probably are. I haven't changed my soap or shampoo or laundry detergeant lately, I haven't changed anything in my diet either - what could cause this? Does anyone else have this problem? I was wondering if there was a special soap/shampoo I should be using. I have a wedding I am in coming up the end of July and would like to have these things gone by then. Any help would be appreciated. TIA.

By Reds9298 on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - 10:22 pm:

Have you recently been pregnant, had probs with your periods, or (sorry to say) had a miscarriage? All of these could cause hormonal changes that cause skin probs. After my miscarriage 2 years ago, I had the same breakouts you are having...scalp, back, neck, and chest. I also had face problems, too. I have always had great skin, so it was a big shock. They were terrible and I was so embarrassed! I went to Proactiv skin care because my normal line just was making things worse and my sister (whose always had face issues) recommended it. It's fantastic! I only had probs for a few months but still use it.
If you want to get cleared up for a special event, I would hIGHLY recommend getting a bottle of the Proactiv Acne Body Wash and also the Repairing Lotion (try QVC, they're the cheapest I think). My poor dh scrubbed my back in the tub for me and then put the repairing lotion on all those gross spots, what a catch. It's not expensive and it has worked wonders for me. I don't have probs anymore, but I still use it because my skin is so much smoother than it was before and the repairing lotion is wonderful if you feel like you might be getting a blemish. Good luck!

By Missymelissy on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - 10:37 pm:

I haven't been pregnant or had problems with my periods or had a miscarriage recently.

I live in Canada so I will have to see where I can purchase this - I'll have to give it a try.

Thanks.

By Paulas on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - 11:19 pm:

Could it be an allergy to something that might be summer related?

By Paulas on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - 11:21 pm:

Melissa...I'm in Canada too!

Stay up late and watch tv. Proactiv is always doing infomericals. If not, google it and I think it is ordered out of Vancouver in Canada. I used it for acne and it works great but I found it to be VERY expensive.

By Marcia on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - 11:56 pm:

You can now get it in Kiosks in the malls in Ontario, so I'm sure that's true all across Canada.

By Children03 on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 - 06:23 am:

I have a friend that tried the Proactiv and she says that it broke her skin out worse and she wishes that she had never bought it. I know everyones skin is different, but I know that commercial makes it sound as though proactiv is a "miracle" treatment.

Anyway, it must be something in the air because I haven't broken out with acne for the last 12 years of my life and all of a sudden for the last 4 weeks I have had so many breakouts. My face is finally starting to clear up, but I have made myself an appointment to see the dermatologist. I had a lot of acne growing up and it was awful and I refuse to go through that again!

By Trina~moderator on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 - 07:03 am:

Neutrogena products are much cheaper and work well. I used Proactive for 2 yrs.. Although I was happy with the initial results after long time use my skin started breaking out again. I went back to Neutrogena and have cleared up.

By Kim on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 - 07:47 am:

It could be something simple. I started breaking out after we moved to FLorida. I have always had very clear skin. I thought I was getting acne in my 30's! I FINSLLY asked the doctor about it and he said it was Rosecea. Check out some sites and they shoudl give a list of symptoms. My daughter then got a nasty face full of what I thought was acne and doctor said it was an infections. He put both of us on Doxycycline, and antibiotic. Sometimes you have to take it for 6-8 weeks. DDs never came back and my rosecea flares up occasionally. Please don't assume it is acne! You may waste a lot of money or make it worse! If you find out what it is , let us know!

I always use Neutrogena scent-free. It was highly recommended by my GYN specialist as was All free and clear.

By Conni on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 - 08:36 am:

I have recently been to the dermatologist with my ds. While there I explained to her that I am 33 and have been breaking out like mad lately. (face, scalp, back, neck, chest) Now I generally have a pimple or 2 around that time of the month- but this has been really bad. She recommended for now that I try a Nuetrogena oil free acne wash. If it doesnt help I am supposed to go back and she is going to put me on some med's to clear me up. ITs embarrassing I feel like I am 15 yrs old again.

By Amecmom on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 - 09:38 am:

Try a simple hydrocortisone cream - if that doesn't work - go to the dermatologist! This way you'll know what it is and how to treat it!
ame

By Conni on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 - 11:16 am:

BTW, Trina, I thought about *you* when I was at the derm and she recommended Nuetrogena products. rofl I was thinking 'I know a Mom on the East Coast that has recommended Nuetrogena on the Mom board'!

By Reds9298 on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 - 02:14 pm:

I've never seen Proactiv to be expensive at all! Go to qvc.com if you're interested. I used to use neutrogena as a teenager and it was very drying. My esthetician recommends using cleansers that do not foam.

I know those proactiv infomercials are like 'miracle' ads, but that's the way I feel after my experience! I know it's cheesy, but I got totally wacked out with my skin after the miscarriage and it saved me! My skin has never been so great, and I always got compliments on it before. I have also found that I personally do not need to use every step in the regimen...I only use the renewing cleanser, the repairing lotion if needed, and also the eye cream. Every once in a while I need a touch of the moisturizer, but not often.
It's so hard...everyone's skin is different. All I know is that at the time I started using it and had so many pimples, it made my skin feel soooo clean and so 'cleaned out'. It exfoliates with every wash as well.
As far as for Proactiv breaking some people out *more*, any derm will tell you that if you have a serious acne problem, cleansers that are working will likely break you out for a couple of weeks to get your skin thoroughly cleaned out. (I don't recall proactiv having this effect on me however). It has to go through the process of balancing out your skin.

By Crystal915 on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 - 02:58 pm:

I didn't have good success with Proactiv, I actually had better success with the AcneFree brand they sell at Walmart. I don't know if you can find that in Canada, but you can Google AcneFree, and order it.

By Frasersmama on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 - 05:18 pm:

Hello fellow Canuck,

Has it started getting crazy hot/humid there yet? Maybe that is part of it.

By Debbie on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 - 05:35 pm:

Yes, is it hot there?? I broke out last year with what looked like acne all over my arms, back, stomach, neck. It turns out it was from the heat. It didn't really look like heat rash, more like pimples. But, my doctor said it was a type of heat rash. I had also started using a new sunscreen and she thought it could also be a reaction to that. I got new sunscreen and stayed out of the heat/humidity and it went away. This summer I have had no problems so far.

By Frasersmama on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 - 07:07 pm:

Aside from heat rash, I break out in hot humid conditions, I just turn into a big ole greaseball. Try a clarifying body wash (like...oh, I don't know NEUTROGENA!) with a bath pouf to see if it clears up.

By Missymelissy on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 - 10:14 pm:

Thanks everyone -- I'll check WalMart to see if I can get any of the recommended items. I'll let you know what I get and if it works or not. Thanks again.