Having back acne can be embarrassing and cumbersome. Males and females with back acne share the same issue. They avoid wearing clothes with their backs exposed, and swimming in shorts, or a bikini makes them feel uncomfortable and insecure. They feel like they will be judged when people see their acne-laden back. So what causes back acne, and what treatment can you get to control it?
What is Back Acne
Back acne, or bacne in slang, is simply acne that develops on your back. Acne that appears on the shoulders and chest also classifies as back acne. They can appear in the form of pimples, blackheads, or whiteheads. They are the same as acne that appears on people’s faces. Back acne is not easily seen nor reached by the person who has it. This makes cleaning and medicating back acne somewhat difficult.
Back Acne Causes
A few things can cause back acne. Your back has thick skin with a very high potential for clogged pores. The main culprit to back acne or any acne is oil glands which get clogged by sebum or dead skin cells.
- Sweat and Perspiration – The hot and humid weather contributes to back acne, where sweat and perspiration are trapped in the pores. The moisture promotes bacterial growth, which in turn causes acne.
- Overactive oil glands – Oil glands that produce excess sebum often cause back acne. This is due to hormonal imbalance that over-stimulates oil production on the skin. This is more common in younger males and women with PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome).
- Diet – Your diet affects every aspect of your life, even your skin. Certain foods, such as dairy and foods rich in sugar and carbohydrates, can make you prone to acne.
- Stress – Stress is not a direct cause of back acne. However, stress can worsen your existing back acne with the hormonal increase that comes with it.
Back Acne Treatment
Back acne can cause you to feel insecure and self-conscious, putting limits on your movement. You feel stressed out getting invited and having to dress up for certain occasions that require a back-revealing wardrobe. You may also experience pain if your back acne becomes severely infected.
Back acne can affect your lifestyle negatively. Playing sports or participating in events such as swimming can make you feel paranoid when people stare. When dating, your confidence takes a hit, knowing that your back acne may be a turn-off if discovered. This makes it best for you to make the necessary adjustments to treat your back acne soonest.
Back Acne Prevention
Here are some ways to prevent back acne.
Change in Diet
A change in diet can improve skin health. You should avoid dairy products and foods high in sugars and carbs. You should also include in your diet foods rich in fibre for their ability to control your blood sugar.
Shower After Workouts
You may have back acne, but this should not stop you from maintaining your physical fitness. You can exercise in a gym or play sports; just make sure that you immediately shower right after a rigorous workout to ensure that dirt and sweat do not stick to your pores too long.
Keep cool and clean
Make sure you always keep cool to avoid sweating. Wear breathable fabric or cotton clothing, and bring a clean towel to wipe your sweat. You should change your clothes when you get hot and sweaty.
You should also wash your workout clothes after every workout. This flushes out dirt and grime from the clothes that can invade your pores.
Avoid Stress
You should abstain from putting yourself in stressful situations. You can make sure that you are prepared for every situation to avoid cramming or rushing. If you can not avoid stress, it is best to find ways to calm yourself and de-stress, such as meditating.
Use the right cleansers and sunscreen
There are soaps, shampoos, and conditioners that exacerbate back acne. You have to rinse these bath products thoroughly. You must purchase products with no oil and do not clog pores.
Sunscreen is great for protecting your skin from harmful UV rays. However, you must use sunscreen that is formulated for acne-prone skin.
Seek Expert Help
If you feel like you have done everything to reduce or eliminate back acne, but nothing has worked, then it would be best to seek medical assistance. A qualified physician can prescribe the proper medication for your back acne.
Conclusion
You should take skin care seriously, and your skin will thank you for it. You need to seek an expert’s advice if you have back acne that you want to get rid of. They can tell you which products are effective for your condition, saving you from guessing and trying products on your own.
Taking care of your skin shows that you are a person who values health and cleanliness. Overall, having clear and clean skin makes you an attractive and confident person.
