Dermatological Funk: Posterior Acne

[ZebrasAreNice]

I'm a 17-year-old female and have had what appears to be acne on my buttocks for about five flippin' years! This is my sob story.

I do martial arts about 2-3 times a week for an hour or two per session; I initially concluded that the pores in that area were being clogged or infected with bacteria after sweating.

However, I have just recently read that wearing tight clothing can irritate the skin, and I have a tendency to prefer fitted jeans that leave minimal to no space between my skin and the material.

The alleged "pimples" are red, usually come to a head with an opaque white fluid, and are occasionally bothersome and itchy; however, at times they can be surprisingly painful if I sit or move in a way that doesn't agree with how they've decided to arrange themselves. As anyone can imagine, they are unsightly and embarassing, and have helped develop a general insecurity with wearing bathing suits and going streaking, both of which I've had to decline invites to due to particularly bad outbreaks.

Just recently I have begun attempts of clearing the area by exfoliating to get rid of dead skin cell buildup, which I believe is a known factor in causing acne by clogging pores; These attempts were thankfully not in vain, despite not clearing the bumps entirely, and I noticed that my booty was a tad smoother than usual. I usually squeezed and popped them in hopes that they were only superficial, but I have read and heard that doing so might cause them to spread, as well as lead to scarring. Antibacterial soap has made frequent appearances on my laundry list of attempts, in addition to using Desitin to keep the area dry and prevent manifestation of bacteria. I've tried products and astringents with Salicylic Acid and Benzoyl Peroxide. I've tried using heat to open the pores, washing with soaps or cleansers before closing the pores with cold water. I've tried soaking in the bathtub to soften the skin before scrubbing vigorously to ensure the deepest clean possible. I've tried cream to dissolve any surface oil, popping the lesions (as I now know not to do!) and then applying more cream to the exposed interior of the pimple-like structures. I have also tried shaving as well as hair-removal products that target the root; every pimple lies in a pore, and most pores contain a hair follicle. You'd think I've been overly harsh with my skin, but I've even tried not touching them at all; I was rewarded with several new, more painful arrivals.

I've been fighting a losing battle with my butt, and as much as I challenge myself to search for humor in the vanity of society, I've gotten to know despair and desperation like my other set of cheeks (which, ironically, are pretty much blemish-free).

I am not exactly looking for a product recommendation, as I have been told that these things are difficult to diagnose overall because of their tendency to vary from person to person. However, if there is anything I can experiment with to keep outbreaks few and far between, it would be much appreciated.

But honestly, I'd just like to know what the blanking blank this is already. Five years, man. Five years.

Thank you!