DIY$10–$30 for washes and gels
🧴 Bumps on the back, chest or butt
That “butt acne” is usually something else, and it's fixable.
Most bumps on the butt, back and chest are folliculitis (irritated or infected hair follicles) from sweat, friction, tight clothes, shaving or waxing. A benzoyl peroxide wash, getting out of sweaty gear quickly, loose clothes, and a break from hair removal fix a lot of it.
Realistically: Give any routine 6–8 weeks. Adapalene gel (over the counter) helps acne-type bumps.
Heads up: Painful lumps that keep coming back in the butt cheeks or groin can be hidradenitis suppurativa, which needs a dermatologist, not a scrub.
Downtime, risks, who to see
Downtime: None.
Risks:
- Benzoyl peroxide bleaches towels and sheets
- Irritation if you overdo exfoliating
Who should do it: You, then a board-certified dermatologist if it doesn't clear, hurts, or keeps coming back.
Ask them:
- Is this acne, folliculitis or something else?
- Would a prescription wash or antibiotic help?
- Could this be hidradenitis?
DIY$10–$30 per product
🧴 Sunscreen + a retinoid
The most boring answer is also the best anti-ageing routine.
Broad-spectrum SPF 30+ every day (reapply every two hours outside), plus a retinoid at night: adapalene or retinol over the counter, or prescription tretinoin. Start slow, every other night, and moisturise.
Realistically: This combo has the best evidence of anything for ageing skin and acne. Most pricey men's serums add little on top.
Downtime, risks, who to see
Downtime: Retinoids can make skin dry and flaky for the first 2–6 weeks.
Risks:
- Irritation and peeling from retinoids
- Dark marks from irritation on darker skin
- Don't wax over retinoid-treated skin
Who should do it: You, then a board-certified dermatologist for prescription retinoids, stubborn acne, or a mole that changes.
Ask them:
- Which retinoid strength should I start with?
- Is this acne, rosacea or folliculitis?
- When should I come back if it isn't working?
Medical~$149–$449 a month self-pay in 2026; insurance varies
💊 GLP-1 weight-loss medicines
Real medicine for weight, not a quick cosmetic fix.
Semaglutide (Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Zepbound) reduce appetite and slow digestion. Prescription only, given as weekly injections or, newer, a daily pill.
Realistically: In the big trials people lost around 15–20% of their body weight on average over about a year and a half, while staying on the drug. Weight tends to come back after stopping.
Heads up: The FDA has thousands of adverse-event reports for compounded versions. Stick to the real, FDA-approved brands from a pharmacy, not “research peptides” or unbranded vials. Prices are changing fast in 2026.
Downtime, risks, who to see
Downtime: None, but nausea and stomach upset are common while the dose goes up.
Risks:
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation
- Pancreatitis and gallbladder problems
- Muscle loss and regain after stopping
- Wrong dose or ingredient in compounded products
Who should do it: A licensed prescriber (primary care, endocrinology or obesity medicine) who knows your history and follows you.
Ask them:
- Is this an FDA-approved brand, dispensed by a real pharmacy?
- How do we protect muscle and handle side effects?
- What's the plan if I stop?