As its name implies, back acne, also called bacne or body acne, occurs on the back, the upper arms, and buttocks. They may appear as pimples, whiteheads, or blackheads. In extreme cases, they come as boil-like breakouts and even cysts that form deep under the skin and cause pain.

Like its facial counterpart, back acne is no less irritating and a source of discomfort and embarrassment. A person with the condition can feel really anxious while changing clothes in the locker room or preparing to get a massage at a spa. Many have altogether stopped going to the beach or a public pool.

Countless romantic trysts have been ruined because one of the partners got turned off by the zits on the others back. It is not exactly known why, but more men have back acne than women. Being located in what is usually a covered, and out of sight, part of the body makes the condition difficult to treat and monitor. Learning how to treat back acne requires time and dedication because it is worse than facial acne. More aggressive intervention is required to keep it from worsening.

Causes

Acne occurs when the skin’s pores or hair follicles get clogged with dirt, dead skin cells, and excess sebum, the body’s natural oil. The plug that develops attracts bacteria and eventually leads to infection. Experts conclude that bacne is more prevalent during the stage of puberty when the sebum-producing sebaceous glands are most active. But not only teenagers are prone to it. People who perspire a lot can have their sweat glands clogged if they do not wash their bodies thoroughly after intense physical activity. They include athletes in training, health buffs with grueling workout routines, and individuals who do a lot of heavy housework.

Treatment Options

Bacne can be mild or extreme and treatment depends on its severity. Mild outbreaks can be treated with a simple skincare procedure that should be performed daily. It includes washing the affected areas with a non-abrasive, anti-bacterial cleanser like Cetaphil. A weekly sugar-based scrub, which is milder than salt, is also recommended. Use it gently, taking care not to rub the skin too hard to avoid inflammation. Apart from the body wash, you may buy over-the-counter creams or lotions that contain from 2.5% to 10% benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid; use one or the other but do not combine as they can trigger adverse reactions. Apply the cream or gel ten minutes after bathing. Allow to dry before putting on clothes to avoid stains. Some dermatologists recommend following it up with alpha hydroxy moisturizers to counter the drying effects.

In severe cases, or when over-the-counter treatment doesn’t seem to work, immediately consult a dermatologist. He or she can prescribe topical antibiotics after washing once or twice a day. In tandem with topical antibiotics, oral medication may also be prescribed to kill the acne-causing bacterium. The common oral antibiotics include amoxycillin, tetracycline, erythromycin, and minocycline. For really serious cases like cystic bacne, dermatologists prescribe isotretinoin, or Accutane. It has, however, been known to produce serious side effects especially in pregnant women and is rarely recommended these days.

Preventive Measures

Still the best form of bacne prevention is a consistent maintenance of personal hygiene. To prevent pores from clogging, take a bath daily and exfoliate, or gently scrub the skin with non-abrasive loofahs, washcloths, or body brush, especially in hard to reach areas.

Perspiration aggravates bacne, so shower thoroughly after a workout, making sure that the dirt and sweat are washed away. As much as possible, don’t let clothes soaked in sweat dry up on your back. Make sure that your bra or shirts are always clean. Avoid making your back get in contact with dirty surfaces like gym floors or exercise equipment. Also use hypoallergenic detergent or fabric softeners to avoid further irritation.

Avoid things that create heat or friction on the skin because they can cause breakouts. These include very tight bra straps, backpacks that smother the back and induce sweating, and body-hugging clothing.

However tempting it becomes at times, never pop the acne. Doing so can lead to infection and eventually lead to unsightly scars and pockmarks that might require cosmetic surgery.

Back acne can be a challenge but it can be done by actively following simple steps to keep the skin healthy. By maintaining strict personal hygiene, daily skincare regimen, and effective medication, we can hold back this nasty problem from further causing any more physical and psychological damage.