Treating back and body acne is often a bit tougher than facial acne.
For one, the logistics of rubbing a treatment cream on your own back is difficult.
Secondly, body blemishes are often deep and stubborn.
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This article explains body acne causes and treatment.
Types of Acne
There are two types of acne:inflammatory acneand non-inflammatory acne.
Non-inflammatory acne is more common.
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It is when a pore becomes clogged, resulting in pimples and blackheads.
Non-Inflammatory Acne
Most people who have acne have some form of non-inflammatory acne.
Most commonly, these arecomedoneswhiteheads and blackheads.
You may have comedones anywhere on your body, including your back,chest, shoulders, andbuttocks.
Inflammatory acnebreakoutsoccur when oils, dead skin cells, and bacteria build up in your sebaceous glands.
The body interprets this buildup as an infection, sending white blood cells to fight against it.
Cystic acne can be tender and more challenging to eliminate.
Sometimes, they can leavescars.
Inflammatory acne takes place if a blocked pore becomes infected.
This inflammation can result in painful cystic acne.
Both inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne can occur on the body.
Some of these genes cause variations in the structure of a person’s sebaceous glands.
These changes might make it more difficult for their glands to maintain themselves and protect against bacteria buildup.
Hormones
Androgens are reproductive hormones, includingtestosterone, present in all genders.
But, hormone fluctuations can cause acne at any age.
For adults with ovaries, androgen levels remain constant throughout their most of theirmenstrual cycle.
Excessive testosterone levels in adults with testicles can have a similar effect.
Again, it is often a result of a genetic predisposition.
Several factors play into this.
Immune system:Stress impairs theimmune system, making it more difficult for the body to fight off bacteria.
It can also take longer for acne breakouts to clear up when you’re under stress.
That’s because stress hinders the body’s ability to repair wounds.
Sleep and diet:Stress causes many people to overeat unhealthy foods andlose sleep.
OTC acne medicines are an excellent first defense against body acne.
That said, it’s not likely that the OTC acne treatment you choose will work overnight.
So, attempt to stick with a treatment for at least three months before discontinuing its use.
These target the growth of bacteria, dead skin buildup, and excessive oil production.
Before choosing a product, there are pros and cons to consider for both benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid.
Sprays, in particular, are great for those hard-to-reach places on your back.
Just keep in mind thatbenzoyl peroxide can stain your clothes.
Alpha hydroxy acids(AHAs) can help boost the effectiveness of OTC acne products.
So, look for an OTC product containing alpha-hydroxy acids, like glycolic acid orlactic acid.
AHAs help by:
you’ve got the option to find a variety ofAHA blendsfor all skin types.
Alpha hydroxy acids may increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun.
Since the skin on the neck is pretty sensitive, use treatment products slowly and carefully in this area.
Hydroxy acids, in particular, are effective acne treatments.
Instead, you may need to bring in some more potentprescription treatmentsto get those breakouts under control.
Body acne can cause deep scarring.
The greater the inflammation, the higher the chance of developing lasting scars.
A dermatologist may prescribe a topical treatment,oral medications, or both depending on your situation.
Some common treatments are:
As with facial acne, it takes time to control body acne.
So see to it you shower right after a workout.
Minimize Friction
Anything that traps heat against the skin, or causes friction, can worsen breakouts.
take a stab at limit or adjust these triggers as much as you could.
Avoid Pimple Popping
Just as with facial acne, avoid popping your body andback acne pimples.
Doing so is a surefire way to cause more inflammation and possibly acne scarring.
In addition, avoid popping or squeezing pimples, as this can lead to inflammation and scarring.
Summary
Body acne, like facial acne, can be inflammatory or non-inflammatory.
Genetics, hormones, and stress may also cause it.
OTC cleansers, medicated lotions, AHAs, and combination products may help to clear mild body acne.
However, more moderate to severe cases may require prescription-strength treatment.
