Back acne, or 'bacne' is more common than you might have thought. While it's totally normal to experience back and body acne, especially during your teenage years, it can often cause more discomfort and embarrassment than facial acne due to the lack of information out there.
Back acne is common. Since it is often caused by friction or sweating, showering after a workout is important for managing back acne. Be sure to avoid harsh scrubbing. Instead, gently wash the area with a product that is specially formulated for acne.
Back acne develops like other types of zits. Your skin's pores (tiny holes) get clogged with dirt, dead skin cells, sweat and an oil called sebum. Your body makes sebum to keep your skin and hair from getting too dry. If your body makes too much sebum or you don't clean your skin properly, you can get clogged pores.
Outlook. Back acne is a treatable condition. Most people can get relief by using at-home treatments. However, if your acne is severe or the pimples are very large, you might need treatment from a doctor.
“Back acne is the result of an accumulation of dead skin cells and oil [sebum] within the pores in the skin, combined with an overgrowth of a common skin bacteria, Cutibacterium acnes, which triggers an inflammatory response,” says Kara Shah, MD, a board-certified general and pediatric dermatologist with Kenwood ...
Stress can't directly cause acne. However, studies have shown that if you already have acne, stress does make it worse. Researchers have found that wounds, including acne, are much slower in healing when a person is under stress.
Hormonal acne is exactly what it sounds like — acne tied to fluctuations in your hormones. Although it's typically associated with hormone fluctuations during puberty, hormonal acne can affect adults of any age. It's especially common in women.
Acne Mechanica: This is one of the most common types of acne to develop on the shoulders and back. Caused by friction, acne mechanica is typically the result of ill-fitting clothing, exercise, and athletic apparel, but it can also be the result of something as simple as an improperly fitting backpack.
Acne commonly starts during puberty between the ages of 10 and 13 and tends to be worse in people with oily skin. Teenage acne usually lasts for five to 10 years, normally going away during the early 20s. It occurs in both sexes, although teenage boys tend to have the most severe cases.
Take Cover
If you're wearing a dress with an exposed back and shoulders, Barose recommends starting with foundation over the area and blending well—either with your fingers or a flat sponge like the Beautyblender. "I usually prefer to apply body makeup after the dress is on, so you can tell where you need it," he says.
One thing you shouldn't do is pop your chest pimples. I know, I know, it's tempting. The zits aren't on your face, so you may not care as much about the popping resulting in a large red blob, but Dr. Shamban assures that "it's not a good idea because there's a higher risk of scarring" with pimples on your chest.
"Stress acne, unlike your regular breakouts, usually occurs on the oiliest parts of your face—your forehead, nose, and chin areas," says Shereene Idriss, M.D., a cosmetic dermatologist at New York City's Union Square Laser Dermatology.
What causes cystic acne on your back? Acne is a skin condition affecting the oil glands and hair follicles. Oil (sebum), skin cells, and the hair follicle can clog together, plugging a skin pore. Trapped bacteria, such as the bacterium Propionibacterium acnes, can then irritate and inflame the plug.
What does hormonal acne look like? Whiteheads, blackheads, papules, pustules, cysts and nodules are all common hormonal acne symptoms. Normally, whiteheads and blackheads do not cause pain, inflammation or swelling, but if they do, then they are most likely forming into cysts and pustules.
Acne Problems
If you haven't gotten enough rest the night before, the telltale sign of sleeplessness could sit on top of your nose. Acne can flare up when you aren't getting enough sleep. In fact, sleep deprivation is considered one of the three main acne triggers, along with stress and sweating.
In America, over 50 million people have to deal with acne every year. Yet, only 5.1 million of them seek dermatological treatment. The frequency of acne in adults, including body acne, has seen a dramatic increase since 2013. Nearly 15% of those who have this skin condition are women.
Sudden acne breakouts can be because of numerous reasons, including hormonal changes or hormonal imbalance, an unhealthy diet including lots of deep fried and junk food, release of cortisol hormones because of excessive stress, excessive production of sebum and much more.
A. Those little bumps are caused by keratosis pilaris, a common skin condition that usually affects the arms and thighs (although it sometimes appears on the buttocks and face, too). It's caused by a buildup of the protein keratin, which can plug a hair follicle, resulting in a bump.
No, Acne Is Not Contagious
You can even share the same towel or soap with someone who has acne without fear. You won't develop pimples because you can't catch acne. Acne is an incredibly common skin problem. Nearly every person will develop some level of acne at some point in their lives.