How to Get Rid of Back Acne | Ideal Skincare Routine

Where there is a will there's a way! Back acne, though common but is not such a chronic condition which has no cure. With the right approaches and precautions you can always combat them. In our previous blog we covered in much detail the root causes of back acne. In this blog we will lay out that perfect routine of how to get rid of back acne. This ultimate guide will harness your bacne journey just right. 

Different Products for Bacne Treatment 

1. Gentle Cleansers 

Let’s begin with some gentle cleansers, a simple step to initiate with your ‘how to get rid of back acne’ roadmap. Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are among those acids that are connected to the healing of acne. Both of them target any acne causing bacteria.

• Benzoyl Peroxide : Benzoyl peroxide is a common ingredient known to counter acne-causing bacteria, deteriorate oil production and helps prevent fresh breakouts. Use Benzoyl peroxide body washes to successfully treat your bacne situation. Benzoyl peroxide due to its anti-inflammatory properties helps ease the redness and swelling of spots.

• Salicylic Acid : Salicylic acid is a BHA that makes its way deep into the pores to clear out dead skin cells and oil. It is that exfoliating scrub that keeps the skin free of physical scrubbing reducing the risk of breakouts. It breaks up dead skin and excess oils which may form in pores, therefore no more appearance of blackheads and whiteheads. Salicylic acid again is anti-inflammatory, and helps in decreasing swelling and redness.

• Glycolic Acid: Glycolic acid is extracted from sugarcane and is an AHA that functions without the need for physical scrubbing, gently exfoliating and maintaining skin clarity. It is often found in toners or body washes, it helps prevent clogged pores and roots out dead skin cells from the skin’s surface. 

2. Physical Exfoliants

Physical exfoliants like body scrubs are the first thing that should come to the mind when one faces problems like back acne. We generally tend to skip the body when it comes to scrubbing and are more concerned about the face. But you need something extra to exterminate those dead skin cells clogging your thick body skin. Ever wondered why your body skin feels uneven and bumpy, you might also experience acnes and ingrown hair in some ignored parts of your body. Yes! You would call it ‘natural’, but that is probably because you are skipping the crucial step of regularly scrubbing the body.

Body scrubs with gentle exfoliants can help remove dead skin. However, be cautious with aggressive scrubs as they can cause abrasion and worsen inflammation if overused or used ungently. Try out the following 

• Body Scrubs: Various physical exfoliants come in different forms- sugar, salt or coffee grounds with oils to nourish, scrubs for nutrition of the body.

• Dry Brushing: you will not often hear about this technique as it is a lengthy process and requires but this is an amazing body exfoliating technique. You will need a natural bristle brush to brush your body dry gently before taking a bath in order to exfoliate the skin. It helps in circulation and might be useful for stimulating lymphatic drainage.

• Silicone Scrubs: These can be similar to flexible silicone brushes in texture. They are gentle enough not to be harsh on the skin but manage to provide enough exfoliation for sensitive skin types.

• Wooden Brushes: Just like dry brushing, the wooden brushes can have many kinds of bristle types depending on the level of exfoliation. These brushes are ideally recommended by dermatologists to a person suffering from back acne 

• Korean Spa Gloves: These trendy Korean gloves are crafted for deep overall exfoliation. They have a slightly harsh texture and hence can be used once or twice in a week with gentle pressure.

• Loofahs: Dried, fibrous skeleton from the loofah plant is a natural sponge for removing dead skin.

• Exfoliating Mitts: Textured cloth mitts used in showers to remove dead skin, enhances the feel of your skin.

• Exfoliating Sponges: These are soft sponges infused with exfoliating particles. It can be gentle and buff the skin.

Certain people who are more prone to back acne and are searching “how to get rid of back acne” might want to incorporate some topical treatments in their routines.

• Retinoids (Adapalene Gel): benefits-

1. Cell Turnover - increase cell turnover, which helps prevent the clogging of pores. 
2. Anti-inflammatory - help reduce acne-related redness and swelling.

• Azelaic Acid: benefits-

1. Prevention of New Lesions - reduce clogged pores.
2. Treatment of Existing Acne - reduce the size and severity of existing acne breakouts.

• Tea Tree Oil: This is an essential oil that has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Apply a small amount of this in diluted forms to spot-treat acne that may be present on the back.

4.  Soaps and Body Washes that free you of Bacteria

If you are now a member of the bacne team you will have to add a soap or body wash that does not let bacteria settle on the skin. Since, bacne is a result of excess oil, bacteria, dead skin cells, all blended together working to clog the pores, look for ingredients like tea tree oil, salicylic acid, and sulfur in your antibacterial body washes and soaps. They will not only reduce bacteria but also have anti-inflammatory effects.

Blue Nectar 2-in-1 Body Wash and Scrub contains 10 Ayurvedic herbs and honey to soothe your skin. This mild formula scrubs your skin making it smooth and radiant. It works well for all skin types and helps to remove tan giving you more hydrated and younger-looking skin. You can choose from three rich aromas—Lavender, Jasmine, and Vanilla. Enjoy these appealing natural aromas and feel sensuous every time you shower.

Bacne Treatment Skincare Routine | Step-By-Step Guide

It's not a complicated product combination that you need brain juice to understand. It's simple! Here’s a step-by-step skincare routine for how to get rid of back acne:

1. Shower

Without maintaining proper hygiene, don't dream of that smooth back. Since skipping showers after intense physical activities is one of the major causes of back acne, you need to buckle up.  Showering after sweating helps remove dirt, oil, and bacteria that clog pores and cause bacne. So, if you are that stinky guy with bacnes, better shower regularly.  

You can use lukewarm water and a gentle, antibacterial body wash. Focus on exfoliating and cleansing the back thoroughly, but avoid aggressive scrubbing as this can irritate the skin.

2. Exfoliate

Having back acne and skipping the step of exfoliation will make you pay heavily. Exfoliation removes dead skin cells that can clog pores, contributing to bacne hence revealing a regenerated skin.

Use a salicylic acid or glycolic acid body scrub to gently exfoliate the skin or physical exfoliants like soft-bristled brush or a loofah, but do not go for harsh scrubs with large granules as they can cause micro-tears.

4. Spot Treatment

Following cleansing, treatments with active ingredients may decrease the severity and duration of flare-ups. Treatments with active ingredients, including benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or sulfur, may be applied directly to active pimples. Acne patches can also help cover and protect targeted areas for healing on specific spots.

5. Moisturize

While exfoliation is an indispensable step, not following with a moisturizer dries out the skin and hence creates more breakouts. Keeping the skin hydrated also stops it from too much dryness that can lead to increased oil production, thus making you break out even more.

Alternatively, a light, oil-free non-comedogenic moisturizer could be considered. Hydrating ingredients include hyaluronic acid, and skin-calming agents include niacinamide.

6. Wear Loose, Breathable Clothes

Keeping sweat, oil, and bacteria in contact with your skin makes bacne worse. Wear loose-fitting clothing that allows airflow with natural materials such as cotton or moisture-wicking attire especially when working out. Change clothes quickly after sweating.

7. Sunscreen

Sun exposure can also darken acne scars and exacerbate irritation of the skin. Given that benzoyl peroxide and retinoids cause increased sensitivity to sunlight, a non-comedogenic, oil-free sunscreen is a good idea.

Hopefully this solves the problem of understanding how to get rid of back acne. Consistency has always been the key to every problem. Without consistent lifestyle changes and preventive measures, you will only live with the problems. 

Types of Back Acne and How To Treat Them

Knowing the causes and how to get rid of back acne is not enough, there is another step to it. A deeper dive will require you to identify the type of acne you have acquired and understand the specific treatments for the same. Keep reading to see how we have made the job easier for you!

1. Whiteheads 

They most often appear on the upper back, shoulders, and neck-the parts of your body that are capable of holding so much oil. They are small tiny white bumps which occur when oil and dead skin accumulate inside the pores of your skin and cannot come out.

They occur when your pores get clogged by excess oil (sebum), dead skin cells, and bacteria. 

Treatment: exfoliate with cleansers containing salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide since they are known to efficiently remove dead skin cells, allow pores, and eliminate bacteria which cause acne. Exfoliate the body often using body scrubs.

2. Blackheads

Now, know that it is pretty common for this condition to affect the upper back, though you may also find them on your shoulders and chest. Those black open pores? Yeah, they are due to an open pore. It's all about too much oil and dead skin in there. With whiteheads, the pore is closed up. But for blackheads, the pore's wide open.

Treatment: These blackheads require retinoids, which cause cell turnover; salicylic acid, which affects the pores in order to clear them; and clay masks to draw out the extra oil.

3. Papules

These are small, pinkish inflamed bumps that do not contain pus in them.

What causes them is irritation or bacterial build-up which inflames the pores. They are found on the back, especially in areas that produce more sweat and oil.

Treatment: Benzoyl peroxide to decrease the bacteria and also reduce inflammation, topical retinoids to avoid further breakouts, and tea tree oil as a natural anti-inflammatory agent.

4. Pustules

Mostly found on the back, shoulders, and upper arms these are red, inflamed pimples with a white or yellowish-coloured area inside which is filled with pus. They are caused by pores that are blocked with infection inside.

Treatment: Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid to dry out the pustules and kill the bacteria. You can also apply spot treatments using sulfur or zinc to calm inflammation.

5. Nodules

So, you know those big, hard, painful lumps you get under your skin that don't have a little pus spot on top? They happen when your pores get super blocked deep down, which makes everything really inflamed. One of the primary reasons for this kind of acne is hormonal imbalance. You will generally find these lumps chilling under the skin on your back and shoulders.

Treatment: Oral antibiotics to reduce bacteria and inflammation, Corticosteroid injections from a dermatologist, which decrease pain and swelling and Retinoids for future prevention.

6. Cysts (Cystic Acne) 

Big, painful, pus-filled zits that get stuck pretty deep in the skin and often result in scars usually result from the blocked pores leading to major inflammation and infection down there. You usually find them on your back and shoulders.

Treatment: Consider isotretinoin (Accutane) for more serious cases for decreasing oil production and inflammation, oral antibiotics to treat infection and inflammation. Some patients may require drainage and extraction by a dermatologist.

7. Acne Mechanica 

So, bacne happens because of heat, rubbing, and pressure from stuff like tight clothes, backpacks, or sports gear. When you mix friction, sweat, and pressure, it messes with your skin and clogs up your pores.

Treatment: wear loose and breathable clothes, avoid buddy-hugging clothes. Using antibacterial body washes can rinse the bacteria out of the skin. Shower immediately after heavy sweating to flush the pores.

Did you get your answers of how to get rid of back acne, those little bumps on your back that won't let you sleep peacefully. With the correct roadmap and measures the journey will not be a long one.

Recommended Products by Blue Nectar:

2-in-1 Body Wash & Scrub with Honey for Exfoliation and Hydration (10 herbs, 250 ml)

Related Articles:

8 Everyday habits that may be causing you Back Acne

Back Acne Scars - Prevention, Treatment and Recovery

References:

https://www.everydayhealth.com/acne/back-acne-treatment.aspx

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22756-back-acne

https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-get-rid-of-back-acne#causes

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318548#getting-rid-of-back-acne