Subscribe To This Site

Back acne

Back acne, body acne or “bacne” is another form of facial acne, caused by the same inflammation of sebaceous glands.

It can show up as pimples, blackheads, pustules and cysts on the back, upper arms and buttocks.

Sebaceous glands just below the skin produce and secrete oil (sebum) through skin pores.

When pores become blocked (for whatever reason), infection sets in and inflammation/pimples result.

The skin in these areas has more sebaceous glands and is thicker than the skin on the face, so treating bacne can be more of a challenge.

As in most forms of acne, breakouts on the body are more prevalent in teenage boys, however they can occur in anyone, of any age, gender or ethnicity.

Even if you don’t, or didn’t, have facial acne as a teen, you may find yourself facing zits on your body as an adult.

It's easier to hide body acne but that doesn’t mean the zits aren’t there.

Causes

It used to be thought that wearing tight clothes or carrying backpacks contributed to this problem, however there doesn't seem to be any correlation.

Research is showing that a buildup of toxic chemicals on the skin can cause acne, dryness and skin cancer - or even products you use to stop breakouts - may contain ingredients that are contributing factors in back acne.

Treatment

Treatment of body acne is pretty much the same as treatment for other forms of acne.

• Set up, and stick to, to a cleansing routine using products made for your skin type. .

• Choose the most chemical-free skin care products you can find. To simplify the task of reading labels and researching ingredients, start with certified organic skin care products as they don’t contain harmful chemicals.

• It’s especially important to wash thoroughly after exercising/perspiring.

• Use lukewarm water and avoid scrubbing which may break open pimples, causing bacteria/zits/bacne to spread.

Bottom Line

You really hope back acne doesn't get on your bottom because it can be quite uncomfortable. If it gets that far, remember that cleanliness is critical as is prompt attention and a treatment regime.

Even if you're on the right track,
you'll get run over if you just sit there.

Will Rogers

Creative Commons License credit: Acne