On a Similar Note: MT Student with bad skin - Suggestions?

[Saji]

Hi everyone,

I'm starting Massage School in August and am trying to find a way to clear the skin on my chest, shoulders, and back so I won't be so embarassed when the time comes to disrobe for partner work. The problem is acne, made worse by sensitive skin and skin allergies (simply changing what fabric softner I use can cause me weeks of agony). Thankfully this has improved somewhat since I started receiving regular bodywork, but let's just say my back is still not a pretty sight.

Proactive works great on my face, but contains benzoil peroxide which bleaches clothing. I've had some success with Avon's Bacne Acne treatment spray, oatmeal baths, and a few drops of bergamot oil in a bath, but nothing has really done the trick.

Anyone have any suggestions?

And how worried should I be about this anyway? I hate to make my partners work on my back when I'm having a "gross" day/week/whatever.

 

[Lincoln6]

Aestheticians do facial treatments on any other part of the body. Usually back facials are right there on the service menu. Find someone you like and go every month.

 

[stuckinthemud]

This thread has some helpful suggestions:

http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4996&highlight=acne

Good luck,
Angie

 

[davemorton007]

I was going to recommend a back facial as well but some one else mentioned it already

The only thing that gets me with people with back acne is that I can not pop what I see. That drives me INSANE!! I am one that LOVES to pop blackheads and pimples. I have had one client let me Of course she had a really nasty blackhead and I knew her really well.
Other than that I don't mind it, we are all human we all have our own issues with our skin. Just be careful in school what they are using on you so it doesn't make you have an outbreak. Biotones Revitalizing Massage oil made me break out bad.

 

[Pompal 09.]

The ProActiv deep cleanser (in the pump) is GREAT for the body....and yes, I have found white splotches on the towels I have used to dry off when I used to use PA.
Take your shower before you go to bed and sleep in your less than perfect...dont care if they get messed up sheets.
Your acne is a local contraindication and will be avoided by your MT.
Again, the PA works great.

Robyn

PS
Please make sure you speak up suring the part of class where they discuss chemical and scent sensitivities....
We're taught...no perfume....no harsh detergents....watch the EO's etc and I remember some grumblings about "whyy nottttt"...you are the perfect example of why not....

 

[Glorio]

I find that laying out in the sun helps to keep my skin clear. I don't have trouble with acne, but I do tend to blemish when my skin hasn't had enough sun.

 

[Giggity]

Thanks so much for all of your suggestions. I am turning 30 next month, just after I start school (yes, 30 and still having these problems!!), and I was going to buy myself a spa day, including a facial. I've never had a facial before.

As for the Proactive... I lost count how many towels, sheets, and pajamas I have ruined. My husband tries to make me feel better about it by saying he likes the tie-died look. Ha! And laying out in the sun - unfortunately I've had pre-cancerous moles removed from two or three places on my body (very fair-skinned am I), so I'm not supposed to lay out or go to tanning beds. Actually, I never could stand to lay out; couldn't stay still that long :wink: . I *do* make sure to get sunshine everyday for the sake of producing vitamin D - usually 3 15-minute walks evenly spaced through the day. Let me tell you, those walks are my only sanity on work days. I'm currently a medical biller - but anyway... That little bit of sun does seem to help.

The first time I saw my MT (my first massage ever, about 4 months ago), I was so embarassed about the acne that I warned him first. It was bad enough then that I'm almost certain he wore gloves (heard him put them on). I couldn't see. I was too nervous and embarassed to open my eyes! He used (and still uses) Biotone Advanced Therapy Lotion, and after that first session I saw immediate improvement. Quite possibly my skin was just touch-starved.

Of course, I'm still having some trouble and that's why I posted here.

Thanks again for all of the suggestions. Anyone else?

Emily [/quote]

 

[daniellemariex]

Proactiv makes a body cleansing product....surely it doesn't have the benzoyl peroxide in it? Check your proactiv catalog or talk to their customer service people. I have never used their body products but LOVE the face stuff. It seems like they always have very effective products! Hope this helps.

 

[wer30snfun]

We are all diffrent and we all have our own body issues,yours happens to be acne. Personally mine is the flabby skin on my belly plus the stretch marks from having a child.Personally your acne problem would not bother me, it probally did not bother your MT. He was probally just using the gloves outta concern for you to prevent further aggravatting the flare up. Also incase of a rupture in the acne, bleeding might occur and that is a precaution we all must take to protect ourselves. I also notice you are in the area I am in, if you don't mind me asking what school are you planning to attend ? I will be graduating on July 22. The school I am attending has a new massage class coming at the end of August. You can pm me if you would rather . Do not worry about your skin issue, If you do have a flare up in school the class could use it to learn how to deal with the issue if you was comfortable letting them learn on you. Don't sweat it , you will be so comfortable with your class mates you will not think twice about it. Also good luck !

 

[grable]

Hi nayinbavarian,

I'm going to be attending [edit]. I'm so excited, though it is bittersweet because I'm going to have to give up my Martial Arts classes. I'll be switching to private lessons when I start school, though. Lots of good body mechanics in that Tai Chi!

The gloves thing didn't bother me at all. I work in a medical office, so I was more surprised on subsequent visits when he *didn't* wear them.

Thanks for the good luck wishes and congrats on your upcoming graduation . You should be proud!

 

[dragnei]

bit late, but I'll add to this thread anyway - Using something like ProActive will make you feel cleaner, but what it is doing is stripping all the natural oils out of the skin, this just makes the oil glands in your skin think they need to pump out more oil, so they do, and it all gets pretty yuckky.

Your're finding improvement after a massage, supports that theory, it's not stripping the oils, your back improves.


So, be prepared for this to take a little while to convince your skin it doesn't need to pump oil like crazy, and hormonal fluctuations could be contributing too, so try this for a month, not worrying about the pattern during the month, just the condition at the start compared to the condition at the end of the month...

Wash your back by oiling it. Use jojoba, which is very close in composition to the skin's own sebum, it can have a very balancing effect on oil production. If you really need to feel that squeaky feeling to feel clean, wash your back with something that strips the oil, but put jojoba on while the skin is still damp, before you get that tight feeling. Don't have really hot showers or baths, but if you can have steam applied to the back, that can help (though it may clear the pores so more stuff comes out - the old 'has to get worse before it gets better'). Warm compresses with damp towels are one way of steaming without having a steamer (lie down and apply towels to back, get hubby to help?) Just remember finish with jojoba. I wouldn't put anything in the jojoba. (except maybe some essence that is recommended for skin problems, I know http://www.ausflowers.com.au Spinifex is good, though the website seems to just target emotional wellbeing now, they can have physical results too....)

Once a week applying a clay mask can be great but obviously a challenge applying to the back. Don't let it dry out so it cracks, just leave it until it dries around the edges, then shower off or warm towel off.

You've just got to let the skin normalise, to do that and you will have to convince your skin there is no need to pump out a lot of oil that blocks the pores.

Get your MT to use jojoba, take your own bottle if need be. When you start massage school, you may find you need to take your own jojoba - often schools will use some cheap oil/lotion that can cause problems.

And the bicarb/french clay mentioned int he other thread would be good, the sugar scub would probably be a bit strong as you seem so reactive.

 

[douglowesplace]

Thanks melb, though my thanks is late. I have been using the jojoba like you said and it is WONDERFUL. My back is still not perfect, but the skin just looks healthier. I mix lavender essential oil with the jojoba, and have been using it to moisturize my face as well.

Thanks for the great tip!