8 Everyday habits that may be causing you Back Acne
| Authored by: Areeba |
| Reviewed by: Kapil Dhameja |
| Estimated Reading Time: 8 minutes |
Out of sight does not mean out of mind! Do you think with those little red bumps on your back you could go shirtless, go for a swim or try on that backless sundress without any embarrassment?
The list of causes is long about sleepless nights and here’s another player to add to the team- ‘back acne’. Those little red monsters on your back sometimes make it painful to sleep on your back or when you switch sides.
Let’s begin to address this topic starting from the reasons for back acne.
Table of Content: |
What is Back Acne?
Back acne commonly called with the nickname ‘bacne’ are little red bumps that pop up on the back. These redheads are generally pimples that are caused when oil, dirt, dead skin cells and bacteria clog your skin’s pores. ‘Bacne’ usually results when sweat gets trapped under a shirt or athletic gear during exercise or strenuous activity. Clothing rubs against your sweaty skin, which leads to small, red, swollen spots on the skin or makes them worse.
‘Bacne’- Ever Wondered What’s Causing Them?
We are generally more concerned of the acne on the face than on the back, they only catch our attention when we realize that something is hurting while switching sides during sleep. Let's find out the reasons for back acne.
- That Sebum Flood!
Sebum is the natural oil produced by sebaceous glands in your skin. Though it is giving moisture to the skin, protecting it from various harmful factors, excess output leads to many pores being clogged. This may eventually cause acne. The back is particularly susceptible to acne as it contains large pores and more sebaceous glands than elsewhere. The next is when the glands become overactive in oil secretion; this oil combines with dead skin, causing a blockage that traps bacteria, which may result in inflammation and zits. This makes sebum one of the major reasons for back acne.
Prevention tip: Use oil preventing skincare products containing benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid made solely for the purpose of body acne.
Blue Nectar Tip: The key is to exfoliate your back a couple of times in a week. Look for body wash & scrubs that are gentle exfoliant with glycolic acid.
- Hair Products
Did that come as a shock to you? Yes, those very cleansing products can fall heavily on your back. Shampoos, conditioners, and styling are one of the reasons for back acne, especially if one drains leftover soap and conditioner on the back. Heavy oils in those products plus harsh chemicals can clog pores and irritate, especially in the shower when some leftovers are left on the back. That's called "pomade acne," and it most commonly occurs if you have long hair that runs down your back, or if you rinse out products and let them run down your body.
Prevention tip: Rinse your hair thoroughly in the shower to avoid product residue dripping down your back. Try switching to non-comedogenic or lightweight hair products if you suspect they are contributing to breakouts.
Blue Nectar Tip: After shampooing and conditioning, tie your hair up or rinse your back with a body wash to remove any lingering product residue. This helps prevent clogging of back pores.
- Body-hugging clothes
We understand your urge to flex those muscles but it comes with a cost! Sometimes called "friction acne", other times "mechanical acne", but why these names? This is because your acne may be caused from putting on very tight clothes, especially when you exercise or engage in intense physical activities. As your clothes rub against your skin, it causes irritation on the hair follicles which traps oils, sweat, and bacteria within the pores. An exercise bra, a backpack, or even a seat belt can increase the friction and heat in specific areas, resulting in more acne breakouts on the back. Hence this can be counted among the reasons for back acne.
Prevention tip: Wear loose and breathable clothes during workouts. Be selective about the fabric. Pick those fabrics that are moisture absorbent and ideal for such skin issues. Even if you do wear tight clothes, don't repeat the same sweaty ones and wash them regularly.
- The irresistible Sweat!
Exercise some caution when you return from a workout or play. Perspiration alone is not a cause for acne. However, once the sweat mixes with dirt, bacteria, and oils on the outer layer of the skin, it can close pores leading to them breaking out. You cage moisture inside when you engage in strenuous exercise or when you wear clothes that do not allow breathability, setting the perfect stage for bacne. They may appear when you do not change out of sweaty clothes or fail to shower after exercising. The name "sweat acne" or "workout acne" has often been used for this kind of acne.
Prevention tip: You must not skip showering after an intensive physical activity to wash off any excess accumulation of oil and dirt clogging pores.
- Freaky Hygiene
Hygiene! Hygiene! Hygiene! Stop being lazy and clean that back properly. Not properly cleansing your back, especially after activities that cause you to sweat, can allow dirt, oil, and bacteria to build up and clog your pores. Since the back is harder to reach and clean, it’s easy to miss spots when washing, which can lead to more acne. Using dirty towels or wearing unwashed clothing can also transfer bacteria and oils back onto the skin, worsening breakouts.
Prevention tip: Get yourself some tools made specifically for problems like body acne. These tools can include a wooden body brush, sponge, loofa etc,
- The Hormone meter
Your hormones on the roller coaster ride can cause the body to overproduce sebum, making them one of the reasons for back acne. This is common during puberty, but hormonal changes due to menstruation, pregnancy, or conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) can also cause breakouts, including on the back. More quantity of testosterone in men leads them to produce higher quantities of sebum; then the acne conditions can become more severe on the back and chest.
Prevention tip: It's a tough one but you need to work on that balanced diet and stress management that will solve not just your bacne but many other problems. For women, birth control pills or medications can be prescribed to regulate hormonal fluctuations and reduce acne.
Blue Nectar Tip: Incorporate hormone-balancing foods like leafy greens, flaxseeds, and omega-3-rich fish (like salmon) into your diet. Regular exercise and adequate sleep also help balance hormones naturally.
- Your Genetic legacy
Genetics play a significant role in how prone you are to developing acne. Sometimes your stubborn acne conditions could be hinting to you belonging to a father who suffered the same. How your skin reacts to hormonal changes, how much oil your glands produce, and how easily your pores clog, all of which can contribute to bacne could be backed by genetic factors.
Prevention tip: Genetics cannot be altered. However, they can be managed! Use non- comedogenic products and prevent known triggers.
Blue Nectar Tip: Over-the-counter products aren’t enough, consult a dermatologist. Prescription treatments, such as retinoids or oral antibiotics, can be highly effective for genetically-prone acne.
- Diet
Diet factors contribute to acne for some individuals. High-glycemic foods, commonly known as foods high in refined sugars and carbohydrates, lead to an insulin response, which sends a chemical message to the skin telling it to produce more oil. Dairy foods, such as milk that contains certain hormones, may sometimes be causative in acne. A diet rich in processed foods or sugary drinks and/or heavy on dairy creates conditions for acne to occur on the face, the back, and other areas of the body.
Prevention tip: Reduce consumption of high-glycemic foods like refined sugars, white bread, and processed snacks, as well as dairy products if they seem to trigger your acne. Opt for whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins.
Blue Nectar Tip: Maintain a checklist to identify if certain foods correlate with acne pop-ups. Incorporate foods rich in zinc, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to support skin health and reduce inflammation.
Parting Note
We always advise you to dig through the causes of the problems before jumping to the solutions- this will better guide you to the prevention and cure and you will be able to design a better skincare routine and make lifestyle alterations. Hence, we started with the reasons for back acne, before their cure.
Recommended Products by Blue Nectar:
2-in-1 Body Wash & Scrub with Honey for Exfoliation and Hydration (10 herbs, 250 ml)
Shubhr Neem Face Cleanser | Acne Control & Oil Balancing
Plum Oil-Free Face Serum for Acne Marks (8 herbs, 30ml)
Manjistha & Berry Face Serum for Skin Firming (13 herbs, 30ml)
Turmeric Ubtan Powder for Glowing Skin (9 herbs, 100 gm)
Related Articles:
How to Get Rid of Back Acne | Ideal Skincare Routine
Back Acne Scars - Prevention, Treatment and Recovery
References:
http://www.medparkhospital.com/en-US/disease-and-treatment/back-acne
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