It’s unsightly and it hurts, and those who are stricken with back acne really, really don’t like it. Unlike facial acne, back acne (more lovingly referred to as bacne), is tough to address because of its inconvenient location, and because, at the end of the day, it’s easier just to cover it up. It’s not a lost cause, though. With a little intervention and proactive care, you can address and eliminate that bacne before you hit the beach this summer.
Bacne’s (and Acne’s) Root Cause
In order to look at a solution and form a plan to address the issue, it’s important to understand the root cause: acne (on the face and the back) occurs when pores clogged with dirt, sweat, and oil become inflamed and then swell up to form infected little blemishes. This means that impurities, excess oil, dead skin, and bacteria are often at the root of acne breakouts. But where do these things stem from, practically? When it comes to your back, there are a few items worth addressing that may play a big role in the production of acne: hormones, improper hygiene, and sweat trapped against the skin (under clothing, backpacks, etcetera).
How to Keep Your Back Free of Breakouts
On a very basic level, do your best to keep sweat from becoming trapped between your clothing and your skin .¨ this is especially important for people who sweat a lot on their back. Do this by avoiding tight clothes, backpacks, and other unnecessary items that might put unnecessary pressure on sweating pores. In addition to these practical matters, you’ll also want to avoid using harsh cleansing products that dry skin excessively in an effort to rid your back of excess oil. In fact, it’s best to use a light moisturizer and to be gentle in your bacne cleansing treatment. Make sure that you’re washing your clothes and bedsheets regularly with gentle detergents, and considering using an anti-inflammatory product on your skin in addition to cleanser and moisturizer.
How to Get Rid of Your Bacne Now
First of all, understand that results won’t come overnight. It’s important to follow these steps closely and to monitor your skin along the way so you can make adjustments as you see fit.
The first thing you’ll want to do to get rid of your current bacne is to cleanse the skin regularly to remove excess impurities and bacteria. Ensure that you use a gentle cleanser and that you access your back thoroughly using a soft-bristle brush to reach your back. Make sure you rinse thoroughly to avoid the growth of new bacteria.
Next, go ahead and get into the practice of exfoliating a few times a week. Exfoliation will address dead skin that tends to clog pores to minimize that occurrence. Keep in mind that different exfoliation methods are encouraged for different bacne types: if blemishes are primarily under the skin, a physical scrub and rinse away product is best; if your acne is inflamed and has formed blemishes, a leave on product will work best.
The next step is to find a medicated anti-bacterial bacne treatment to apply once a day after cleansing or exfoliation. Don’t use a product that’s too harsh on your skin or that strips it of all of its moisture. look for products with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.
Finally, don’t forget to apply a gentle moisturizer after treating the bacne; doing this will minimize inflammation and strengthen skin while it reinforces the skin’s barrier functions, thereby protecting it from intruding bacteria.
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