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Acne is not for your face only. Acne can also occur on your
shoulders, chest and back. The most common area for acne
is your face, but your back may also experience acne flare-
ups.

Back acne is a condition that can affect both teens and adults.

Understanding what causes acne is the first step toward
prevention and treatment. Your face, neck, shoulders, chest,
and back are covered with tiny hairs that are not usually
noticeable to you. Each hair has a hair follicle with oil glands
surrounding the base of the follicle. When the oil glands
produce more oil than the hair follicles can absorb, the
follicle will get blocked. A blocked hair follicle can turn into
acne as a whitehead, blackhead, papules, or pustules.

You may be experiencing back acne because of the way
you treat your back. Hair follicles can become blocked if
they are stuck together and under pressure. The oil can’t
flow through the follicle and acne may flare-up.

Since your skin on your back is tougher than your face and
harder to see and reach, back acne is more difficult to treat.
This requires a different treatment method than you would
use on your face.

If you suffer from back acne, think about what your back
goes through. Pay attention for a week to the type of
clothes you wear, and your routine. You may be able to
determine what is causing your back acne.

What type of clothes do you wear?

Rough clothing scrubs your skin constantly. Tight clothing
will also create constant rubbing against the skin. This
constant scrubbing and rubbing causes the hairs to stick
together and ultimately the hair follicles will get blocked.
Cotton fabric is your best friend when you are dealing with
acne. It is light and breaths.

What does your routine look like?

Does your occupation cause constant pressure against
your back? When your back is constantly in motion against
a seat the hair follicles could get stuck together and cause
your acne to flare-up.

Do you wear a backpack everyday or a good part of the
week? Backpacks cause pressure and friction on your back.
If so, try switching to a shoulder bag or a bag with handles.

How do you clean your back? Anything that has a
scrubbing action against your back is causing the hair
follicles to become blocked. Even using a back scrubber
in the shower could irritate and cause acne flare-ups.

As innocent as all of these actions are, they are causing
havoc on your back. Remember, scrubbing and rubbing
can cause the hairs on your back to get stuck together.
Once they are stuck the oil can’t flow through. Acne loves
a blocked hair follicle.

Keep your back clean. Perspiration will cause the bacteria
and oil to irritate your acne.

Look for over-the-counter acne treatment products that
contain salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. These products
can help keep your pores clear. Since the skin on your
back is a little tougher than your face, you want to look for
extra strength products to use on your back.

Know your skin type and treat your back accordingly. Gently
cleanse your back twice daily, more often when in situations
that cause you to perspire. Use a gentle cleanser and a
topical treatment.

When over-the-counter products don’t work, you may
need to find a good dermatologist for treatment.

Get control over your back and say “Goodbye” to back acne.