Back acne is more severe than acne in other areas. Usually, it has bigger inflammatory regions because there's just more surface area on your back than in other places. And because back skin is so thick, breakouts go deep under the surface. That means treatment for back acne demands a different approach.
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. You can book an appointment with a dermatologist in your area using our Healthline FindCare tool.
Will back acne go away by itself? The UK National Health Service (NHS) writes that acne often goes away when a person is in their mid-20s. However, a person should talk with a doctor about their back acne to discuss treatment and how to manage acne at home to reduce the risk of scarring.
“Hot water strips the skin of its natural oils and healthy bacteria,” Grous explains, “which plays a major role in keeping moisture in—and the bad stuff out. And because dryness triggers the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum, hot water can worsen preexisting acne or cause a breakout.”
Like all acne, back acne is caused by overactive sebaceous glands. These glands produce an oily substance called sebum, which helps keep skin healthy. However, too much sebum can lead to bacteria growth and dead skin cells, which can block pores in the skin.
The face, chest, shoulders, and back tend to contain more sebaceous glands than other parts of the body. As a result, cystic acne is more common in these areas.
You can't always control whether you get back acne because the main factors that predispose one to “bacne” — hormonal fluctuations and genetics — are out of your control.
Researchers say foods high in fat, sugar, and dairy ingredients can raise the risk of adult acne. Foods such as milk chocolate, french fries, and sugary drinks are among those that can increase acne risk.
Back acne and body acne are common. Since it is often caused by friction or sweating, showering after a workout is important for managing back acne. Be sure your clothing choices don't cause or aggravate it, as well. Keep the area clean, but avoid harsh scrubbing.
Genetics. Back acne is generally inherited; if your parents struggled with facial, back, chest, or shoulder acne, you likely will too. These are just a few of the most common bacne causes and only scratch the surface of a long, winding list; genetics, poor nutrition and a host of various factors can trigger back acne.
"Bacne is a frustrating and often embarrassing condition, and it can even cause people to avoid wearing open-back clothing and avoid participating in certain activities," says Stacy Chimento, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Riverchase Dermatology in Florida.
Certainly! But if you tend to break out around the area being tattooed, timing is key. Trying to tattoo over an active breakout can damage your skin and spread bacteria, sometimes compromising the design of your gorgeous new art.
Your risk of acne is higher if both parents had it
Both parents may possess the same genetic components for acne, or varying ones. For example, one parent may pass on a hormonal condition which makes you acne-prone, while the other passes on a stronger inflammatory response to bacteria or other genetic factors.
Prevents Pimples and Acne. Certain kinds of toxins will clog your small pores on your epidermis and can cause issues like acne and pimples. By drinking more water, you ensure that you won't suffer from severe pimples and acne. The more hydrated your skin, the less your pores will clog.
Experts tend to agree that sun exposure may initially improve the appearance of acne by drying out sebum. Plus, when your skin is tanned, pimples and acne marks may look less noticeable. But these effects are short lived. In fact, the drying effect of sun exposure can ultimately make acne worse.
“Since cold water tightens your pores, bacteria and debris can get trapped and won't clear out as easily as using warm water,” explains Knapp. She recommends washing your face with lukewarm water first as a way to remove any makeup and pollutants from the day.
While a cold compress can minimize inflammation and make pimples less noticeable or painful, it will not remove the contents inside a pimple.
But not everyone's hair follicles are created equal, and that could explain why not everyone gets acne - some people might simply have hair follicles that are more suffocating than others.
Yes, that can cause pimples too. A new crush or blooming relationship is exciting, but did you know that love can also trigger breakouts? Increased intimacy can cause female testosterone levels to spike, leading to unwanted blemishes.
They essentially protect your chromosomes from degradation. Shorter telomeres are associated with ageing and short life span and longer ones with longevity. Guess what studies say? It is said that those with acne have longer telomeres, which makes them more resilient to certain life-threatening infectious diseases!
Reschedule for After an Active Breakout
You should not tattoo on top of an acne breakout. Not only does it compromise the surface of your skin and prevent an artist from working on an ideal canvas, the process can spread bacteria to other parts of the skin and/or worsen existing breakouts.
Annie Morien, author of 'How Massage Therapists Can Handle Skin Conditions, For Both Themselves and Their Clients: Massage and Skin Conditions', describes that for most skin issues, including acne, massage is contraindicated.