Acne is a skin condition that occurs when hair follicles beneath the skin become clogged, causing outbreaks of lesions or pimples. Acne is one of the most common skin conditions in the world. Most people experience acne at the start of puberty and in their late teens or early twenties.
Most people experience acne on their faces. However, back acne is also as common as face acne. Back acne is characterized by oily skin, black and whiteheads, red spots, pimples with yellow pus, and scars.
Causes of back acne.
- Genetics- sometimes, acne runs in the family.
- Medications- acne can be caused as a side effect of some medicines like antidepressants.
- Hormones- hormonal changes, especially in the teenage years, often cause acne.
- Sweat- sweat trapped under tight clothing can contribute to the worsening or formation of acne.
- Sometimes, stress can be a contributing factor to acne in different parts of the body.
- Pressure- application of pressure to your back through practices like wearing a backpack frequently can trigger the formation of acne.
- Exercising sometimes can be a contributing factor for back acne as well.
- Diet- sugary diets have also been known to cause acne.
- Tight clothes that keep your back from exfoliating freely can result in back acne.
Back acne treatment
There are several forms of back acne treatment options available in the market. Some of the most common ones are:
Topical creams.
Topical creams and other topical medications can be used to treat acne. They are an excellent option for people experiencing mild to moderate acne. Over-the-counter topical creams can help get rid of spots. Specialists recommend products with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. These products will not only eliminate acne they will also prevent them from recurring.
Pills.
Professional healthcare providers can prescribe oral medication for people experiencing severe acne. Such oral treatments include:
- Antibiotics for killing bacteria that causes inflammation.
- Birth control pills that impact hormones and reduce the amount of oil produced by the skin reduce acne.
Before you start taking any oral medication for acne, it would help if you contact a medical professional. Some of the available treatments like isotretinoin can result in dangerous side effects like depression, suicidal feelings, and skin dryness.
Therapies and skin procedures.
Skin procedures like laser and light therapies can also help treat back acne. These procedures work by treating the characteristics of acne like blackheads and pimples.
Preventing back acne.
The tips mentioned above will help treat the condition if you are already suffering from it. However, you can also practice some prevention methods which will help prevent the condition from occurring. Below are some tips for preventing back acne;
- Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothing, especially when working out, as they trap sweat next to the skin and block the pores hence contributing to outbreaks.
- Ensure you wash after sweating. Doing this will prevent your pores from getting clogged. Therefore, you ought to make sure you shower immediately after workouts.
- Exfoliate using a gentle exfoliating scrub with ingredients like salicylic acid. Doing this removes extra dirt and oils from your skin that could result in clogged pores. Exfoliating can also help reduce the amount of dead skin that could clog pores.
- Keep long hair off your back. Hair often adds oil and dirt to your back skin hence causing acne outbreaks. Therefore, you ought to wash your hair and put it in buns, especially during sweaty workout sessions.
- Use your fingertips to apply a gentle and non-abrasive cleanser.
- Avoid using products that irritate your skin.
- Avoid rubbing the affected areas and not popping, picking, or squeezing spots as this may result in them spreading.
- Stay out of the sun and avoid tanning beds as they can damage your skin hence making them more prone to the condition.
Final word
Note that without proper treatment and prevention measures, acne can result in permanent scarring. This can result in low self-esteem and, sometimes, depression. So take better care of your face.
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