Back Acne and Body Acne

Adult acne is not simply restricted to the face, it can occur in other places on the body such as the back, chest, neck, upper arms, and shoulders, with back acne being by far the most common.  Back acne is usually more severe in men than in women, and it is rare to have back acne without first having facial acne.

The causes of back acne

Back acne is formed in the same way as facial acne.  Excess oil and dead skin cells become clogged in hair follicles, which can lead to a pimple if combined with acne-causing bacteria. Back acne usually affects the back and upper torso because these areas have a large concentration of sebaceous glands that produce oil or sebum.      

It is a common belief that tight clothing or certain fabrics cause back acne.  This is unlikely to be the case, but certain items of clothing may cause friction or pressure that irritates follicles that are already inflamed, worsening a back acne breakout. Avoiding tight clothing and collars, as well as back packs or any straps that rub the skin, can help to reduce the severity of outbreaks.

Another factor that can irritate back acne is excessive sweat.  Ensuring that you shower as soon as possible after playing sport, and regularly during hot weather, can limit the severity of your back acne.  Try to avoid scrubbing the skin when you shower as the friction can worsen your pimples.  Gentle cleansing, possibly with a salicylic acid acne body wash, is a more effective alternative for back acne.    

Psychological effect of back acne

The image of a shy teenager trying to avoid changing in the school locker room because of his back acne is easy for all of us to imagine.  But surely adults aren’t so affected by body acne?

Well in fact, the psychological effects can be worse for adults as adult back acne is less common than for teenagers.  Many adults experience a real sense of shame about their back acne, with many associating having body acne with being somehow unclean.

Acne sufferers go to great lengths to hide their back acne, avoiding situations where they may be required to undress in public such as gyms, swimming pools and the beach. Clothes are chosen to disguise body acne, especially for women who experience chest acne. Many back acne sufferers avoid intimate sexual relationships because they are embarrassed at the idea of a partner seeing or touching their back acne.     

How to get rid of back acne - treating back acne

The good news is that the majority of cases of back acne can be cleared up, given a little time, patience, and willingness to persevere with the many treatments available.  Mild back acne can be treated with a simple over the counter remedy such as a salicylic acid wash or pad. Lotions containing glycolic or lactic acid can also help to reduce back acne by increasing the speed of cell turnover and reducing the possibility of follicles becoming blocked. 

Because the skin on the back and other parts of the body is tougher than on the face, you can often use products with a higher concentration of active ingredients.  However, you may need to see your doctor to prescribe these as not many are available over the counter.  It is a good idea to see your doctor in any case as they may be able to suggest a number of treatments that will complement each other. 

More severe back acne will certainly require a visit to your doctor. They may prescribe Retin A, a course of oral antibiotics, or even isotretinoin in very severe cases.  It may take some time to find an effective remedy for back acne, but all treatments take some time to work, so a great deal of patience and perseverance may be required.

Other Aspects of Adult Acne.....

Adult Acne

Acne Scars

Acne Treatments 

How to get rid of acne

Acne Rosacea

Cystic Acne

Zeno Acne

Home Remedies for Acne

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