Men and women alike suffer from acne on the back at one time or another. Nicknamed “bacne”, this skin condition is not only annoying but embarrassing as well. Despite the name, this type of acne can also appear on other parts of the body, including the arms and buttocks. Although there are a number of resources when it comes to the origin and treatment of regular acne, there is no exact explanation for what causes bacne.

While dermatologists and other skin care specialists don’t quite agree on what causes bacne, some common possibilities can include excessive sweating, wearing overly tight clothing for long periods of time, and carrying heavy backpacks, which irritates the skin when your back sweats underneath the weight of the backpack. Bacne can appear in a number of different forms: blackheads, pustules, zits/pimples and cysts, which form deep under the skin so they can’t be popped.

If you suffer from bacne, consult with a dermatologist first so he/she can prescribe the appropriate medication and skin products for your skin’s needs. Topical 10% benzoyl peroxide creams and gels are also available over the counter if you aren’t able to get a prescription but use this type of medication sparingly to avoid a bad reaction. To treat bacne at home, stay away from regular soap in the shower or bath and switch to using an anti-bacterial cleanser instead. Soap may dry out your skin and aggravate your bacne, making it worse. Afterwards, apply the benzoyl peroxide to the affected area and allow it to dry. Until your bacne is clear, avoid using lotions or other body moisturizers that are heavily scented or contain harsh ingredients. Use a medicated lotion or an oil-free one instead.

One of the best ways to keep yourself from developing bacne is to exfoliate your entire body once to twice a week in the shower or bath. By getting rid of the layers of dead skin cells on your back, arms and buttocks, your pores will stay unclogged and prevent oil and dirt from accumulating and turning into bacne. Try a sugar or salt scrub to gently slough off dead, dry and flaky skin without causing redness or irritation.

The worst thing you can do is pick at your bacne. Popping zits on your chest, arms or other areas of your body can result in unsightly scarring and blemishes, as well as the risk of infection due to the bacteria that can be transferred from your fingernails to the affected skin.  

Let your skin breathe by wearing cotton, silk and other soft materials. Also be sure to jump in the shower or bath and thoroughly cleanse your body after working out or doing any physical activity that will cause you to sweat excessively. Get into the habit of sleeping on your stomach at night so your back isn’t constantly pressed into the mattress.  

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