Back Acne – Common Causes and How to Treat It!
Get off my back!
Although summer is officially over, the warm weather is set to continue across New Zealand. According to the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), warm, sunny and humid conditions are expected well into April – and even May in some parts of the country. That means more days to enjoy the beach. Hooray!
But for some, this also means more hot days where covering up is just plain uncomfortable. Back acne, or bacne, is a common issue and there is absolutely no shame in it. A completely normal skin condition, bacne can range from a mild case with a few blemishes and blackheads to severe, where many pimples, blackheads, and cysts can cause scarring. Whatever level of bacne you have, we have just launched our NEW Bacne treatments and products that can help here at The Cosmetic Clinic!
What is back acne?
Back acne shares many of the same characteristics as facial acne, including pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, red spots, oily skin and even scarring. Its severity can vary from the occasional spot to larger breakouts across the back. While it is most common during puberty, particularly in boys, some people may continue to experience back acne into their late 20s and even 30s. No matter your age, there is no shame in having acne, and effective treatment options are available.
What causes bacne?
Just like the pimples on your face, there are many causes of this common skin condition. Most often, acne occurs when the glands produce an excess of oil and dead skin cells that are not removed block the hair follicles. Another common cause of bacne is an individual’s lifestyle habits, such as working out or having a labour intense job. Sweat that is left on the skin for too long can often lead to breakouts on the back and body.
How can I treat it?
Depending on the cause of your body breakouts, there are several ways to treat bacne. Firstly, it is recommended to start treating the affected body area with the same products and skincare routine that you would use for your face.
Cleanse the skin thoroughly with a cleanser containing ingredients like salicylic acid, such as the Silkini Brightening Cleanser. Combine this with the Glowtini Brightening Exfoliator once or twice a week to help really remove any dead skin cells that might be blocking your pores.
If you’re someone who workouts out or generally sweats a lot, consider wearing loose-fitting clothing, especially during a workout, and always wash shortly after sweating.
If you’ve tried everything and your bacne persists, treatment with microdermabrasion can be an effective solution. Microdermabrasion isn’t just for the face and can be used on other areas such as the back to help reduce and treat the occurrence of acne. Likewise, laser treatments can be useful to target the scarring left from the condition.
If you would like more information on acne treatments and packages visit one of our experienced dermal technicians at your local The Cosmetic Clinic today.