Back and body acne is often more difficult to treat than facial acne. For starters, rubbing therapy cream on your own back is challenging. Second, bodily imperfections are frequently deep and persistent. However, with the appropriate remedies, effort, and patience, you can control your body acne.
Acne Varieties
Acne is classified into two types: inflammatory acne and non-inflammatory acne.
Acne That Isn't Inflammatory
The majority of acne sufferers have non-inflammatory acne. These are most typically comedones—whiteheads and blackheads. Comedones can appear anywhere on the body, including the back, chest, shoulders, and buttocks.
Acne with inflammation
The body is also more prone to inflammatory acne because the torso has more sebaceous glands (skin glands that release oil) than other regions of the body.
When oils, dead skin cells, and bacteria accumulate in your sebaceous glands, inflammatory acne eruptions occur. The body interprets this accumulation as an infection and sends white blood cells to combat it.
Cysts can form deep in your skin tissue with inflammatory acne and become red, sensitive, and inflamed as they try to push through the skin. Cystic acne can be painful and difficult to treat. They can sometimes leave scars. They are as follows:
Pustules (pimples clogged with pus, oil, and skin cells)
Papules (inflamed, red pimples that may develop into pustules)
Tumors (hard blemishes that are deep in the skin and can last for months)
"Body Acne Causes
A number of factors, including heredity, hormones, and stress, may be contributing to your body's acne breakouts.
The History of the Family
If you have a family history of acne, you may be more prone to breakouts.
Researchers investigated the genomes (genetic material and all sequences) of 5,602 people with severe acne and 21,120 people without it to see how much acne runs in families. The researchers were able to fine-map and discover 15 distinct genetic variants in 15 different genomic areas that were shared by people with severe acne.
Some of these genes are responsible for differences in the structure of a person's sebaceous glands. These modifications may make their glands' ability to maintain themselves and protect against bacteria buildup more difficult. 1
In other words, if you inherit acne, it's not because you acquired an "acne gene" in and of itself; rather, you may have inherited an underlying health problem or a biological characteristic that predisposes you to pore blockage.
Hormones
Androgens, which include testosterone, are reproductive hormones found in both men and women. Androgens, when out of balance, can induce skin changes that contribute to acne, such as:
Sebum (oil) production has increased.
Skin cell activity changes.
Inflammation
During puberty, this imbalance occurs commonly in both sexes. Hormonal variations, on the other hand, can cause acne at any age.
Androgen levels in adults with ovaries stay consistent throughout the menstrual cycle. Then, shortly before the onset of bleeding, estrogen levels drop, allowing more testosterone to bind to sebaceous gland receptors and increase sebum production. 2
In adults with testicles, high testosterone levels can have a similar impact. Once again, it is frequently the outcome of a genetic predisposition.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and adrenal hyperplasia are two other endocrine conditions related to acne in adults with ovaries (an inherited disease where the body is missing an enzyme).
This is the root of your acne stress.
Even in people who are not prone to acne, an increase in stress hormones can cause outbreaks, aggravate existing breakouts, and impede the healing process. Several elements come into play here.
Stress stimulates the release of cytokines, which are tiny proteins that connect to receptors in the sebaceous gland and activate an inflammatory response.
Stress weakens the immune system, making it more difficult for the body to fight bacteria. When you're stressed, it can also take longer for acne to clear up. This is due to the fact that stress impairs the body's ability to heal wounds.
Stress: Both acute and chronic stress cause an increase in androgens, which causes inflammation and increased sebum production.
Stress leads many people to devour unhealthy meals and sleep poorly. While these practices may not cause acne, they might promote inflammation in the body and make you more susceptible to outbreaks.
OTC (Over-the-Counter) Therapies
Acne remedies are available at your local drugstore or online. OTC acne medications provide a great initial line of defense against body acne.
However, the OTC acne treatment you choose is unlikely to work overnight. So, before terminating a treatment, attempt to continue with it for at least three months.
When looking for an over-the-counter acne treatment, look for medications that contain hydroxy acids, such as salicylic acid or glycolic acid. These washing products are especially good at exfoliating skin and curing severe acne, but one may be better suited to your skin type than the other.
Body Wash or Cleanser
Select a body wash that contains hydroxy acid or benzoyl peroxide. These are designed to combat microbial development, dead skin buildup, and excessive oil production. Most drug stores sell acne-fighting body washes containing these ingredients.
Many acne cleansers have been dermatologist-tested, and some contain gentle exfoliants to aid in the removal of dead skin buildup without being too harsh on the skin.
Lotions and sprays with medicinal properties
If cleansers aren't working, you could supplement your therapy with a medicated treatment lotion or spray. Back sprays, in particular, are ideal for those difficult-to-reach areas of your back.
Consider the Acne Free Salicylic Acid Body Spray, which is fast-drying and contains aloe vera to prevent your skin from excessive dryness.
Remember that benzoyl peroxide might discolor your clothes. So, before you put on your clothes, make sure any benzoyl peroxide-containing spray or lotion has completely dried on your skin.
Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs)
If you have a few pimples or a tiny outbreak, your skin may respond well to good daily skincare and over-the-counter remedies.
Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) can significantly improve the efficacy of over-the-counter acne treatments. Look for an OTC product that contains alpha-hydroxy acids such as glycolic or lactic acid. AHAs are aided by:
Accelerating cell turnover
Exfoliating the skin quickly
reducing the number of pore obstructions.
Using Several Products
When it comes to treating body acne, you can usually combine acne treatments or utilize combination solutions without causing too much aggravation. However, because skin types differ, you should still monitor your skin while utilizing combination therapies.
Because the skin around the neck is quite sensitive, use treatment items in this area gently and cautiously. If you experience significant irritation, dryness, or peeling on any part of your body, reduce or halt use and visit your healthcare professional.
Prescription
Because body acne is persistent, the OTC solutions indicated above may not help moderate or severe breakouts. Instead, you may need to bring in more aggressive prescription therapies to control the breakouts.
Don't put off seeing a doctor for prescription acne therapy for too long, especially if your acne is irritated. Body acne can leave deep scars. The bigger the inflammation, the greater the likelihood of producing permanent scars.
Depending on your case, a dermatologist may recommend a topical treatment, oral drugs, or both. The following are some common treatments:6
Retinoids are used topically, such as Retin-A (tretinoin).
Antibiotics used orally
Accutane (isotretinoin) Controlling body acne takes patience, much like controlling facial acne. As a result, you will most likely need to try numerous therapy solutions or drugs before determining which one works best for you.
Lifestyle
Once you've established a successful acne-treatment regimen, there are a few things you may do to improve the efficacy of your therapies.
Showers
Although body acne is not caused by a lack of cleanliness, it can be aggravated by sweat. So, after exercise, make sure to shower.
Reduce Friction
Anything that traps heat against the skin or produces friction might aggravate acne. Sports equipment, backpacks, purses, bra straps, and tight clothing are examples of everyday items that cause friction on your body. Limit or alter these triggers as much as possible.
Prevent Pimple Popping
Avoid popping pimples on your body and back, just as you would on your face. This will almost certainly result in additional irritation and potentially acne scarring.
In summary, like facial acne, body acne can be inflammatory or non-inflammatory. Furthermore, genetics, hormones, and stress may all have a role. Mild body acne can be treated with over-the-counter cleansers, medicated lotions, AHAs, and combination treatments. However, more severe cases may necessitate prescription-strength treatment.
Verywell's Remarks
It can take a long time to successfully clear up a case of back acne, so be patient. Furthermore, you must stick to your acne treatment drugs and daily skincare routine.
If you believe your medications are not working properly, inform your healthcare provider. It may take numerous attempts before you find a treatment that works for you. However, with the right treatment, you should be able to notice and feel a difference.
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