Acne is one of the most common skin conditions in the US. However, acne doesn’t only show up on the face, but also on your back. Back acne is more common than you might think. It has caused pain and insecurity for the majority of people who have it. But don’t worry! There are ways to treat and prevent them. So, read on below if you want to learn more about it.
What is Back Acne (Bacne)?
Back acne, also known as “bacne,” is a type of acne that develops on your back. It develops when oil, sweat, bacteria, and even dead skin cells become trapped inside the pores of your back’s skin. When these are trapped inside your pores, in addition to wearing sweaty and tight clothing, backpacks or even sports equipment in the gym can cause friction on your back, causing it to get worse. This is because when your sweaty clothes or anything else rubs against the skin on your back, it can make all of your bacne worse.
What Causes Back Acne?
There are several factors that could cause back acne aside from your sweaty clothes rubbing against your skin. It could also be because of genetics, hormones, or not properly washing your back. We’ll talk more about what causes it below.
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Genetics
Genetics is one of the main reasons why you could get back acne. If your family has a history of back acne, then you’re more likely to develop it, especially during your puberty phase.
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Hormones
Another factor that can cause bacne is hormones. When you’re in your puberty phase, your sebum production increases, which can cause acne. It can also be because of your fluctuating hormone levels.
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Poor Personal Hygiene
Poor personal hygiene is also one of the top reasons why it develops. This is because you are not washing off the sweat and oils on your back. So when you wear a shirt or your hair is too long, it could rub against your back, causing acne.
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Sweat is Trapped
Sweat may become caught in the pores of your clothing and skin. When this occurs, your pores may get clogged, causing more bacne.
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Friction
Back acne can be brought on or made worse by clothing, backpacks, and other things that rub against your sweaty skin.
Tips to Prevent or Treat Back Acne
So, how can you treat or prevent back acne from developing? Here are some tips you should know.
- Take frequent showers, especially if you’re a sweaty person.
- Try out OTC creams that can help dry out your back acne.
- Keep your hair out of your back.
- Frequently change your sheets to clean ones.
- Do not pop or squeeze the zits.
- Go to a dermatologist.
How to Get Rid of Back Acne Scars?
If you’ve already treated your back acne and are left with scars, here are a few tips on how to get rid of them.
- Try out strong chemical peels (but always ask your dermatologist first).
- Apply moisturizer.
- Apply sunscreen on them especially if you’re going to be exposed to the sun.
- Undergo a laser treatment for scars with your dermatologist’s approval.Â
Bottomline
If you have back acne, then you know how painful and annoying it is to have it. So, we hope that this article helped you learn more about your back acne and how you can treat and prevent it. But before you do anything, it’s best to consult with your dermatologist.