Introduction
Some people frequently contract back acne while others do not. Why is this? What causes back acne and how can you get rid of it? We’re going to answer all of that and more in this guide on how to get rid of back acne once and for all.
What Causes Back Acne?
Back acne has plenty of similarities to facial acne. They have the same characteristics such as the appearance of whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, oily skin, red spots, and scarring because back acne is quite similar to facial acne. The causes of these skin conditions are also fairly similar.
1. Production of Excess Sebum
Our body produces an oil called sebum. It is made in the glands that are connected to each hair follicle in your body. It is responsible for adding moisture to your hair and skin. Pimples are formed when dead skin cells and excess sebum block and build up in your pores.
Whitehead pimples form when pores and bacteria build-up causes the follicle walls to swell out. Blackhead pimples form when the clogged pores are exposed to the air.
2. Your Genetics
Genetics may contribute a lot when it comes to acne. Some people sweat profusely throughout the day, increasing their chances of breakouts, while others don’t sweat very much. Problems with acne may run in the blood.
If you have family members who have to deal with acne all the time, chances are, you will too. This is all up to the genetic lottery and we can’t do anything about it. Take some preventive measures to avoid nasty back acne breakouts.
3. Hormonal Changes
Another major contributor to acne breakouts is your hormones. Hormonal changes during the teenage years are often the main cause of acne breakouts. However, women past puberty may also have pimple outbreaks. Women experience hormonal changes during pregnancy and menstruation, making them more vulnerable to acne problems.
4. Chronic Stress
While stress is not a direct cause of acne breakouts, it could be a contributing factor. Multiple studies have found that if you’re already experiencing an acne breakout, being stressed can make it worse.
Researchers have found that wounds such as acne heal much slower when the person is stressed out. This slow healing rate means that pimples are more likely to stay longer, which makes them more susceptible.
5. Trapped Sweat
Sweat is one of the main causes of acne breakouts if not properly handled. Being active, working out, or living in hot conditions may cause excessive sweating. Wearing tight or non-breathable clothing may trap this sweat. This may cause a build-up of bacteria, dirt, and oil on your skin. If these things aren’t properly dealt with by cleaning yourself, it may cause severe acne.
This is also why sports clothing is specifically designed to be light and breathable. This avoids sweat being trapped on your skin, causing acne breakouts.
6. Your Diet
Research has also found that your diet may also contribute to the severity of acne breakouts. According to research done by the American Academy of Dermatology, there is evidence that certain foods with carbohydrates contribute to acne by increasing the body’s blood sugar levels. These foods include potato chips and white bread. For some individuals, products containing dairy might also trigger an acne breakout.
How to Get Rid of Back Acne
Now that the most common causes of acne are on the back, let’s look at some methods you can do to avoid them. We’ve researched far and have spoken to multiple dermatologists. We assure you that these treatments for back acne are effective.
1. Add skin-friendly foods to your diet
Just as stated above, researchers have found a correlation between the food you eat and acne outbreaks. Make sure that you eat a well-balanced diet. Avoid restrictive diets, it may do more harm than good for your body, including acne breakouts.
Some foods that may contribute to acne include dairy products, white bread, and other carbohydrate-rich snacks. Instead of eliminating it, it is recommended to cut back on the amount you eat.
2. Don’t forget to give your back some attention
Plenty of us tend to forget to give our back some love and attention while showering or bathing. We know that it is pretty hard to see and reach back there, but make sure that you wash or exfoliate your back as often as possible. By washing your back regularly, you may get rid of back acne entirely. It will help keep the pores unclogged and clean, which lessens the chances of pimples forming.
3. Wear the right clothing type
Wearing the right clothing during heavy physical activities such as working out helps avoid back acne breakouts. Tight clothes and excessive sweating are the perfect recipes for acne-causing bacteria to thrive and grow.
Make sure that you wear light clothing with breathable fabric. This will ensure that oils, dirt, and bacteria aren’t pushed deeper into your pores, clogging it up.
3. Mind Your Hygiene
It shouldn’t have to be said but proper hygiene is the number one most effective method if you want to get rid of back acne. In addition to practicing body hygiene, you should also try and keep your things clean, especially towels and clothes. Avoid washing your body with dirty towels. Also, avoid wearing one piece of clothing for multiple days. If you can’t take a shower for some reason, you can wipe yourself off with a clean towel.
4. Change your pillowcases and bed sheets weekly
Additionally, you should also consider where you sleep. Your back makes contact with your beds and pillows every day. You make sure that your sheets and pillowcases are changed weekly. Bedsheets and pillowcases are littered with bacteria and dead skin cells. All of this may cause severe breakouts.
5. Protect your skin from the sun
It is a common misconception that the sun helps clear acne. It may make it worse. It will cause the acne to become darker and slows down its healing. It is recommended to wear oil-free sunscreen when you’re planning to be outdoors for a period.
6. Keep long hair off your back
Long hair constantly contacts your back and may contribute to adding dirt and oil to your skin. Make sure that you wash your hair regularly and put it in a ponytail or bun when you’re sweating a lot. This will not only keep dirt and oil from your back, but it will also make you more comfortable.
Avoid using things that constantly rub against your back, like a backpack. Having things constantly rub against your back may irritate your skin which causes acne to breakout. Instead of a backpack, you could swap it for a handheld bag. Placing the strap of a purse on your arm may also help avoid back skin irritation.
7. Choose the right cleanser
Choosing the right skin-care product, such as a cleanser, maybe the difference between night and day. Over-the-counter glycolic acid or salicylic acid wash may prevent blemishes and even cure some of them.
Instead of leave-on medication, you may choose washes as they are less irritating on your skin. If none of these are enough, a prescription for oral antibiotics or topical medication may have to be prescribed by your dermatologist.
8. See a dermatologist
Finally, if all of the above has not helped get rid of back acne, it may be time to visit your dermatologist. They can offer advice on how to control and eventually get rid of your back acne.
Pro Tips: Back Acne Scar Removal
If you frequently experience back acne, you’ll also experience its aftermath, back acne scars. These may prevent you from having smooth looking skin. Here are some tips on how to remove them.
1. Use Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs)
AHAs are one of the most common products used to treat acne scars. They do this by exfoliating the dead skin and prevent the pores from getting clogged again.
2. Chemical Peels
Chemical Peels are one of the various methods your dermatologist will use to treat your back acne scars. These peels contain essential acids such as salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and more to help lessen the appearance of scars.
Conclusion
That ends our comprehensive guide on everything related to back acne. Follow the tips given in this writing, then you’ll be on your way to clearer, healthier skin. We hope that this article helped you find a better way to get rid of back acne.
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