Back acne or “bacne” may be easier to hide than facial acne, but that does not mean it has less of an effect on mental health and self-esteem.
Those suffering from this condition feel limited in their clothing choices, staying away from back- or shoulder-revealing outfits that they otherwise might have enjoyed wearing. They might shy away from swimming because of embarrassment over their body, whether as a form of exercise or as a form of socialization. In severe flare-ups, back acne may cause pain and sensitivity that inhibits people’s activities. People with back acne often suffer from facial acne too, and it only brings down their self-confidence further.
If you have back acne, understand that you are not alone. There are others on the same boat, struggling to manage the condition and its effects on their mental health. And of these, many have successfully resolved their bacne. And with the proper medical advice and support system, you can too.
Why Back Acne Develops
Whether it’s on your nose or your shoulder blade, acne starts out the same way: With a clogged pore. The pile-up can consist of dead skin cells, keratin, or sebum, which creates a blackhead if air is still able to get in, and a whitehead if not. These plugs, if irritated, can burst and spill its contents into your skin. It can also convert your pores into prime real estate for bacteria. Either way, your body senses something is wrong and comes to the rescue with inflammation. And voila, you have a pimple.
Although bacne and facial acne have the same disease process, there are subtle differences when it comes to instigators.
We know that using heavy, oil-based products with irritating ingredients tend to clog up pores and cause irritation. For the face, the culprit is usually make-up, but for the back, it’s most likely body wash, lotion, or sunscreen.
We know that constant friction can promote pimple formation. Constantly touching, washing, scratching, or picking at our faces will most likely cause flare-ups. But the skin on our back gets irritated from chafing against tight clothing, backpacks, and harsh scrubbing during baths.
You might be wondering why there are fewer pimples on your back than on your face. The answer boils down to the distribution of pilosebaceous units in the body. You might notice that lesions on the back are usually fewer in number, but deeper and more painful.
This is because there are fewer pores per unit of skin in the body rather than on the face. But what they lack in number they make up for in size. Because these pores are bigger and deeper, it takes a lot more to fill them up. A greater amount of clogged material elicits a more intense reaction for the body, and the result: correspondingly more severe acne.
How Back Acne Treatment Differs From Facial Acne Treatment
The active ingredients dermatologists prescribe for acne are the same whether the problem is concentrated in the face or on the back. But there are differences in the product form it comes in for three main reasons: (1) because there is more area to cover on the back, (2) because the back is often covered, (3) because the back is hard to reach.
Here are some common ingredients used to fight mild to moderate bacne:
Benzoyl peroxide
If you have facial acne, chances are you’ve heard of benzoyl peroxide. This ingredient is a top biller in the fight against acne because it introduces oxygen within the blocked pore, killing off the acne bacteria that require airless conditions to thrive.
For the face, it is usually in the form of a leave-on product like a cream, gel, or spot treatment. For the body, it is usually in the form of an emollient body wash that is left on the skin for a couple of minutes before rinsing off. There are also leave-on medicated lotions for the back, but just be wary that benzoyl peroxide can bleach clothes. Best to let it dry completely before putting on a shirt.
Salicylic acid
Salicylic acid is another big name in the anti-acne movement, and for good reason. This ingredient helps unclog whatever has accumulated in your pores, allowing them to breathe freely. Facial acne typically uses salicylic acid facial washes, toners, or spot treatment solutions. For body acne, this active ingredient is delivered through sprays, which is great for those who aren’t too flexible. Many use spot treatments as well, but you might need someone to help you out with those harder-to-reach areas.
Other treatments
There are a range of other treatments that are available for people who suffer from severe and persistent bacne, but these will likely require a prescription from a licensed dermatologist. These may be in the form of oral retinoids like isotretinoin that, though quite effective, often have side effects that need to be managed.
How To Avoid Back Acne Flare-Ups
It’s one thing to use the right products for back acne, but it’s another to build up habits that won’t exacerbate your condition. All your effort at keeping to a regimen will be for naught if you still subject your skin to rough treatment and bacteria-growing conditions.
Be gentle
Acne can sometimes be so frustrating that we can get angry at our skin for looking so bad. We may think that scrubbing it raw will remove all the dirt and bacteria on it, but it does more harm than good. Avoid loofas and body brushes because they can be abrasive and cause irritation.
But it’s not just about mechanical pressure, but also about the products you choose to use. Be on the lookout for anything that has “gentle”, “mild”, “non-drying”, “fragrance free” on the label. Be guided by the active ingredients that will help unclog your pores and prevent bacteria proliferation. This way, there’s no need to scrub yourself red because the products will do the heavy lifting for you.
Keep it loose and dry
Another way of being gentle with your skin is minimizing friction. Tight clothes and backpacks chafe the skin, leading to irritation. It also traps heat and moisture from sweat, which are two things that microorganisms love.
It’s best to wear loose dry clothes made of sweat-wicking fabric like cotton. These kinds of cloth either dry quickly or move sweat from the side that touches the skin to the side that faces the environment.
Whenever you work out or do anything that makes you sweat, take a bath as soon as you can and change to clean and dry clothes. Without a humid environment to live in, bacteria and fungi won’t be able to grow enough to cause inflammation.
Wash clothes and bed sheets regularly
Bacne sufferers have sensitive skin that can be triggered by residue in clothes and bed sheets. Avoid reusing clothes without washing, especially workout clothes. Make sure to change bed sheets every week (or more often, if you can manage it) to avoid rolling in an pile of dead skin cells and possible bacteria.
The rule for skincare also applies to laundry detergent: use gentle products without potential irritants like fragrance. A good rule of thumb is to look for laundry products marketed for babies. Anything formulated especially for their sensitive skin would be a good match for you.
Conclusion
If you are currently struggling with bacne, know that your dream of wearing leaving your back bare for the world to see can one day come true. Mild to moderate cases can be resolved using the proper over-the-counter products. For severe cases, it’s best to seek the advice of licensed dermatologist who can prescribe the appropriate topical and/or oral medications that will clear the back.
Regardless of how bad your bacne is, remember that a regimen is only as good as how consistently one sticks to it. The right advice coupled with patience and sustained effort will be sure to one day bring sexy back.
