A Simple Guide on Treating Back Acne
If you are battling back acne, you know it’s a different struggle than facial acne.
For starters, back acne is much more difficult to treat since it’s harder to reach and keep under control. In this article, we’ll talk about how to get rid of back acne for good, including some helpful tips and tricks on how to prevent it.
What is back acne?
Often referred to as bacne, back acne is a common skin condition that appears on the back. It is caused by overactive oil glands in the skin, which produce too much oil (sebum).
This sebum can combine with dead skin cells and bacteria to block pores in the skin, leading to inflammation and pimples (acne).
If you have an acne breakout on your back, you may notice small bumps that look like whiteheads or blackheads.
These bumps may also be called pustules or papules. You may also experience pain if you have large pimples or cysts.
What causes back acne?
Your skin is naturally covered in what is known as sebum, an oily substance that helps keep your skin hydrated and healthy.
When you sweat or have excess oil production, your pores can become clogged with dead skin cells, causing pimples to form. Bacteria on the surface of your skin can also lead to breakouts in conjunction with these factors.
Genetics can also play a role in developing back acne—if your body produces more sebum than usual, it’s likely that back acne may be something you’ll struggle with throughout life.
Friction from the clothing you wear can additionally contribute to this type of acne plaguing your body as well as not washing frequently enough or wearing clean clothes often enough.
How to Prevent Back Acne
Here are some other ways to prevent back acne:
- Wear clean, sweat-free clothing. Sweat makes back acne worse, and wearing dirty, sweaty clothes causes more sweat build-up.
- Avoid a diet high in sugar and dairy products. Studies show that a low glycemic load diet can be beneficial for treating acne. Having a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, protein, and good fats will help your skin get clearer faster than eating processed foods and dairy products.
- Shower after you work out regularly (or any time you happen to break a sweat). Exercising is key to staying healthy, but it can contribute to breakouts if you use the same sweaty workout clothes repeatedly without washing them or don’t shower soon afterward.
- Shampoo your hair regularly if it’s oily or gets dandruffy fast. The oil from your hair can rub off on your nice clean back (which you worked so hard to keep clear) when you lean against surfaces like upholstery office chairs while working at your desk or sitting on public transportation.
- Don’t pick your pimples. It might be tempting when they’re right there under your hands’ reach, but popping pimples is never a good idea, as it pushes bacteria deeper into the skin and causes scars.
Plus, picking at spots creates further inflammation, which leads to redness, swelling, pus, or cysts, making the area around the spot look worse than before the picking began.
Home Remedies for Back Acne
If you have back acne, treat it gently. Use a mild cleanser, and make sure that you rinse it off well.
Avoid scrubbing your skin vigorously with either a washcloth or loofah, as this can irritate your skin and worsen the condition.
Make sure to keep your hair away from your back by tying it up in a ponytail when you work out and wearing loose hairstyles around your shoulders.
Hairspray and gels can sometimes cause acne on the back, so be mindful of how much product you’re using in these areas as well.
It’s also a good idea to avoid sleeping on dirty bedding, mattress, or other fabrics that can rub against the back during the night (or when you’re lounging on the couch) and cause irritation.
Some essential oils have been proven to help acne. For instance, tea tree oil has been proven effective in treating mild forms of acne, and it is also very soothing for irritated skin.
Lavender oil also helps reduce inflammation in the skin and will also help keep your skin moisturized so that it does not dry out too fast.
Other Treatments for Back Acne
There are several cosmetic procedures that can help you get rid of back acne. These procedures are also helpful for acne scars on your back.
The decision to undergo one of these procedures is a big one, so you should consult with your dermatologist or surgeon about the best way to improve the appearance of your back.
One of the most common cosmetic procedures for treating back acne is laser therapy. This procedure uses laser technology to target the acne-causing bacteria in your pores.
The heat from the light destroys the bacteria, and it also stimulates collagen growth, which reduces the appearance of scars. Laser therapy is an excellent option if you have severe back acne or scarring, but it’s not suitable for everyone.
Your dermatologist may recommend trying other treatments before considering laser therapy. Another popular procedure used to treat back acne is chemical peels.
Chemical peels can be done right at home and require little to no downtime. An acid solution is applied to your skin and left on for several minutes before being rinsed off during chemical peels.
Chemical peels loosen dead skin cells from your body and make it easier for new skin cells to grow in their place.
Back acne is one of the most frustrating skin conditions you can deal with. Hopefully, the treatment plans above were able to shed light on managing it.
Also, don’t forget to bring your health insurance with you on the chance that covers cosmetic procedures for your back acne.
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