Buzz
Back acne is a very common issue and can be quite frustrating. Teens before puberty and even adults suffering from back pimples know how troublesome this can be, often proving to be harder to deal with than facial acne. However, because back acne is also caused by overactive sebaceous glands, treatments similar to those for 'sebaceous folliculitis' can be effective.
Steps
Modify Your Lifestyle
Wear Clean Bras. If you wear a bra, it is essential that it stays clean. Try to change your bra every day. The straps should be tight enough to prevent rubbing against acne when you move, which could cause irritation. If possible, opt for strapless bras to help reduce red marks on your shoulders.
Wear loose, clean, and breathable clothes. Ensure that the fabric touching your back is clean, and ideally, use natural fibers such as cotton. Avoid tight-fitting clothes and make sure to wash them regularly – ideally after each use.
- Use a mild, fragrance-free detergent to wash your clothes. Harsh or heavily scented detergents can aggravate acne or worsen skin conditions.
- If possible, bleach your white clothes. Bleaching kills bacteria left on your clothes, which helps prevent acne. Be sure to rinse thoroughly after bleaching to avoid skin irritation from chemicals.
Shower after sweating. After activities like running or playing basketball, make sure to shower immediately. Sweat left on your skin after exercising can create an ideal breeding ground for acne-causing bacteria! Additionally, sweat can clog pores, providing an opportunity for pimples to develop.
Rinse out hair conditioner properly while showering. A potential cause of back acne is leftover conditioner on your hair. While great for your hair, conditioner isn't ideal for your back. Here are some tips to prevent conditioner from causing acne on your back:
- Reduce the water temperature before rinsing out the conditioner. Warm water opens pores, while cold water tightens them. Rinsing conditioner while your pores are open can cause acne.
- Wash your back last, after rinsing your hair and conditioner.
- Instead of using a regular conditioner in the shower, try using a leave-in conditioner after your shower to avoid direct contact with your skin.
Switch your laundry detergent. If you have sensitive skin, the detergent you're using might be causing irritation. Try switching to a gentler, skin-friendly brand.
Wash your bed linens regularly. Dead skin cells and dirt quickly accumulate on your sheets. Pets sleeping on your bed can also leave stains. Make it a habit to strip your bed and wash your linens twice a week, or replace them weekly.
- If possible, bleach your bed linens to remove bacteria that may still linger after washing. Be sure to rinse thoroughly to avoid chemical irritation.
- Wash blankets, duvets, and other bed covers regularly.
Giải pháp Đặc trị
Tắm toàn thân với sữa tắm thảo dược không chứa dầu. Bạn cần loại có thành phần hoạt chất salicylic acid 2%. Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash là một sản phẩm tốt đặc trị mụn trên lưng. Tập trung xoa vào vùng da mụn và để yên khoảng vài phút trước khi rửa sạch. Hãy để cho thuốc ngấm vào và phát huy tác dụng.
Dưỡng ẩm với lotion thảo dược không chứa dầu. Da là một cơ quan trong cơ thể bạn, theo đúng nghĩa đen. Và cũng như mọi cơ quan khác, nó cần nước và các dưỡng chất khác để đươc khỏe đẹp và mịn màng. Hãy thoa lotion lên lưng của bạn sau mỗi lần tắm (hàng ngày).
- Hoặc bạn có thể dùng loại lotion không bít lỗ chân lông (non-medicated lotion), nhưng hãy chắc chắn rằng nó phải là loại không bít lỗ chân lông. Điều này là rất cần thiết vì salicylic acid gây khô da.
Thoa thuốc trị mụn. Vì đã dùng salicylic acid để rửa và dưỡng ẩm, bạn nên dùng một loại dược phẩm khác để bôi lên mụn, thí dụ như benzoyl peroxide 2,5%. Không dùng benzoyl peroxide 5% hay 10% nếu da bạn quá nhạy cảm vì nó sẽ làm tăng độ kích ứng. Dung dịch sulfur 10% có thể có tác dụng với bạn nếu bạn nhạy cảm với benzoyl peroxide.
Thoa kem retinol. Thoa kem retinol lên lưng vào ban đêm. Nó sẽ giúp lột da và ngăn không cho lây lan mụn ở những nơi dễ nổi mụn.
Use AHA and BHA. Alpha hydroxy acids help exfoliate dead skin cells, which can clog pores and lead to acne. Beta hydroxy acids fight acne-causing bacteria both externally and internally. If possible, try to find a body scrub containing AHA and use it for your back three times a week. After showering and moisturizing, gently wipe your back with a cotton pad soaked in BHA.
Visit a dermatologist. It’s possible that your acne requires prescription medication or topical treatments. Don’t hesitate to visit a dermatologist for an evaluation.
Natural Remedies for Back Acne
Exfoliate with a sponge or loofah. Be gentle when scrubbing—over-exfoliating can lead to further irritation.
Head to the beach. Soak your back in seawater for about 10 minutes, then sit in the sun for 10-15 minutes. The sun will help dry out your acne. However, don’t stay too long, as sunburn can worsen your acne. Repeat this process a few times, and you should see improvements within the first two days.
Try zinc. While not a commonly recommended home treatment, zinc can indeed be effective in some cases. Zinc is an acne enemy. The human body needs a small amount of zinc for essential functions. In addition to fighting acne, it also boosts the immune system. Zinc can help treat back acne in two ways:
- Apply zinc directly to the skin. Look for a lotion with 1.2% zinc acetate and 4% erythromycin, and apply it twice daily. If you can't find this, simply pierce a zinc capsule, squeeze out a few drops onto your clean finger or a cotton swab, and apply it directly to your back.
- Take zinc as part of your daily vitamin routine. Try taking a supplement containing zinc, with a dosage ranging from 25mg to 45mg per day. Do not exceed 50mg daily, as excessive zinc may lead to copper deficiency, as high levels of zinc can block copper absorption.
Make a natural exfoliating scrub. This will help you eliminate dead skin cells that can block pores and spread acne. Squeeze the juice of a grapefruit and mix it in a large bowl with 1 and a half cups (about 360ml) of white sugar and 1/2 cup (120ml) of sea salt. Massage onto the affected area and gently pat dry.
Adjust your skin's pH. pH is another way to describe the alkalinity of your skin. Scientists have found that a skin pH below 5—ideally 4.7—is best for overall skin health and beneficial skin microbiota. Washing with soap can raise the skin's pH above 5, which leads to dryness, flakiness, and acne.
- Consider upgrading your showerhead. Invest in a filter that removes chlorine from the water. Your skin will thank you for it. A good filter-equipped showerhead costs between $25 and $50 and can make a significant impact on your skin.
- Mix equal parts apple cider vinegar and water in a spray bottle. After showering and before bed, spritz it on your skin and let it dry. This will help reduce your skin's pH.
- If you prefer, you can substitute apple cider vinegar with marigold extract and water in equal amounts for a similar effect.
Advice
- Avoid popping pimples, as it can cause redness and sometimes scarring.
- Steer clear of processed foods not only because of the acne on your back but because they provide no real benefit to any of your organs, whether on your face or the entire body!
- Lemon is very effective at drying out acne.
- Drink 8 glasses of water a day. Proper hydration will prevent your body from producing excess oil and bacteria, which can contribute to acne on your back.
- Wash your loofah thoroughly after use, as it can easily become a breeding ground for germs and bacteria.
- Avoid processed foods as they may contribute to back acne. Also, scratching your back can spread the acne, so refrain from doing so.
- If you're sensitive to salicylic acid or find over-the-counter products ineffective, try a specialized powder for acne. These are often very effective without over-drying the skin. Consult your pharmacist for suitable brands.
- There are many acne-fighting body washes available. Just look for one containing 2% salicylic acid.
- For men, avoid removing your shirt and then coming into contact with dirty surfaces like walls or floors.
- Additional treatments to try for back acne:
- Tea tree soap
- Anti-dandruff shampoo with zinc
- Tea tree oil as a topical treatment, which can replace benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid.
- Applying lemon (sliced and rubbed on the skin) or tomato can be beneficial, as the acids in them help kill harmful bacteria. This method is especially good if you have sensitive skin and chemical products may do more harm than good.
Warning
- Avoid picking at pimples. This only increases the risk of infection. Treat any popped pimples with 3% hydrogen peroxide or 10% benzoyl peroxide to reduce the chance of infection.
- If you are taking accutane, refrain from using Neutrogena or benzoyl peroxide. Accutane works by destroying sebaceous glands beneath the skin, which removes the key source of oil production.
