Acne is a common skin problem that most people are dealing with — teens and adults, men and women, etc. Even the celebrities and public figures we look up to experience an acne breakout once in a while. Another fact is that it grows not only on the face, but on the shoulders, posterior thighs, back, butt, and other body parts. Lucky for all of us, there are a lot of skincare essentials and treatments promising a clearer, smoother, acne-free skin but which of those really works? Getting an acne treatment is not just like massages for women , that are many factors that can contribute to the cause and even more steps both our experts and you need to take in order to get rid of it.

To find out the best treatment for your skin concern, it’s important to know the basic details about acne first.

What Is Acne?

Technically speaking, acne is a medical term for pimples — or the reddish bump you see on your face. It happens when pores or hair follicles get clogged with oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria, resulting in an inflamed, swollen bump that may be filled with pus. Sometimes, it is characterized by open, blackish pores often known as a blackhead. This is another form of acne which has been exposed in the air, thus the dark color.

While it’s a usual problem experienced in the face, it can be found in other areas as well such as the back. A body acne on the back is so common that it even has its own name: bacne. If you’re suffering this, the first thing you should know first is that you’re alone. While the majority of those who experience this are men, this can still happen to anyone.

What Causes Body Acne?

Like the acne on the face — or facial acne — body acne is caused by the excess oil production of the oil glands. It is also a result of excess dead skin cells and a growth of acne-causing bacteria.

A back acne or body acne forms when dead skin cells and oil become trapped in a pore or hair follicle, thus creating a blockage. It becomes a blackhead first which, eventually, will be developed into a swollen, irritated pimple once there’s a growth of bacteria.

The reason why body acne happens in the upper area, such as the back, is because it has more sebaceous glands than the other body parts. That being said, there’s a higher chance for the hair follicles to get clogged.

Another factor is the friction or heat involved. Body acne may be triggered because of the particular articles of sports equipment, clothing, or other accessories. When there’s friction or rubbing involved plus sweat, hair follicles can get irritated and inflamed and may cause a certain type of acne call acne mechanica. Therefore, it’s best to avoid body-fitting clothes especially when healing body acne. Purse straps, backpacks, and other gears should also be avoided as much as possible.

Acne may also be caused by sweat, therefore, take a bath as soon as possible after doing yoga, biking, workout, or other active tasks. When scrubbing the skin, be sure to do it as gentle as possible. You want to avoid friction and remove dead skin cells, sweat, dirt, and other debris at the same time. You may use a body wash with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid instead.

But if you want a faster, more effective way of dealing with acne, the best way is to visit a dermatologist or skin expert. At Houston Acne Specialist, we offer different treatments that would resolve your body acne. Depending on your skin type and condition, we provide professional-grade prescription medications such as antibiotics or Vitamin A by-products. These products may result in peeling that would reveal a healthier, smoother skin after a couple of weeks or more. It can be in a form of oral or topical antibiotics but nonetheless, these will help reduce the growth of bacteria on the skin.

We also provide extractions to remove whiteheads and blackheads that are deep within the glands. You must avoid doing this yourself, despite the DIYs over the Internet, since this may lead to irritation and infection. You should only allow certified aestheticians, skin doctor, or dermatologist to perform this on your skin. Chemical peels and other types of peel, as well as laser treatments, may also be used to remove body acne breakouts and improve the appearance of the scars. To know the right treatment for your acne problem, you can call us or book an appointment on our website.