How To Treat Back Acne

We treat a wide range of spinal conditions, and despite the title of the blog, back acne really isn’t something that we focus on. These skin-related conditions are better solved by a dermatologist, but at the same time, every once in a while we get questions from teens and their parents asking if there is anything they can do to help clear up acne on their back. We thought it may be helpful to put some general advice in a blog, so here’s a look at how you can work to prevent and treat back acne.

Treating Bacne

Back acne, oftentimes referred to as bacne, typically develops for the same reasons that acne develops on your face or chest. Acne onset occurs when dirt, oil, dead skin cells and bacteria clog up your skin’s pores. These clogged pores then end up turning red or leading to zit formation. Acne is incredibly common, affecting roughly 50 million Americans, but it is more common in teenagers and young adults, especially males.

Other factors that can make it more likely for acne to develop on your back or face include:

• Family History
• Medications
• Stress
• Anxiety
• Hormones

And while poor hygiene is oftentimes associated with worsening bacne, that’s not to say that all cases of acne occur in people with poor hygiene habits. During puberty, you’ll be dealing with more hormones and serum production (an oil produced to help keep the skin from drying out). Even if you shower daily, your skin may end up being a prime location for acne formation, especially if you are active or doing any kind of sweating. So how can you help to clean up your skin and prevent bacne in the first place?

You’re not going to be able to do much about your family history or hormones, and while it’s easy to say that you should try to limit your stress and anxiety, we realize that can be difficult. Instead, typically the best way to treat bacne is by focusing on improving your hygiene habits and really working to clean your pores on your back. Some ways that you can prevent and treat bacne include:

• Showering Daily – Shower every day or after instances where you sweat.
• Use Scrubs and Exfoliants – There are a number of scrubs and exfoliants that you can use during or after a shower to help cleanse your pores and limit acne onset.
• Change Out Of Sweaty Clothes – Friction is also an underlying cause of acne and clogged pores, so change out of any shirts that you sweat in.
• Regularly Change Towels And Sheets – Get in the habit of regularly using clean towels and changing your bed sheets so that your skin isn’t exposed to dirty linens that could contribute to acne onset.
• Talk With A Dermatologist – For your best chance at relieving your back acne, connect with a dermatologist who can provide a professional opinion or set you up with stronger topical treatments.

We hope you found this blog informative, and if you end up developing any back issues that we actually help treat, we’d be more than happy to assist. For more information, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi and the team at The Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today at (651) 430-3800.

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