Acne is a condition that affects everyone sooner or later. While facial acne is the most common form of the affliction, it can occur on other parts of the body and this is known as body acne. Back and body acne affects males and females, teens and adults. However it is usually most common (and most severe) in males.
Body acne is generally limited to the back and upper torso. Like the face, these areas have more sebaceous glands (glands found within the dermis that produce the skin’s natural oil, or sebum) per square inch than other areas of the body, so the follicles are more likely to become plugged with excess sebum as well as dead skin cells.
The first step you need to take towards curing back and body acne is to stay clean. Bathe or shower frequently using a gentle body wash to clean the affected parts of the body. Ensure that you use this at least twice a day and perhaps even more if you live in a hot and humid climate where you perspire a lot. Sweat can irritate body acne. When exercising or engaging in some other vigorous form of physical activity it’s important to shower as soon as possible afterwards. Avoid scrubbing the skin, even with a loofah. A thorough, but gentle cleansing, preferably with a salicylic acid wash, is better than a vigorous scrubbing.
You can also buy any number of acne creams, lotions and gels – there are many over the counter products that can help significantly in the overall healing process. Some of the more effective ones contain benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. You can also supplement these with special acne treatment soap. It’s likely that several different treatment products or medications might need to be tried before finding the one that works best.
Herbal remedies have been found to be effective in treating mild cases of back and body acne. The real benefit here is that there is no danger of any toxic chemical side effects. Body acne is normally a simple infection and a simple home remedy will usually suffice to get rid of it. For example, you can make a treatment lotion which will not just sooth the irritation but also speed the healing process – recipes can be found in any home skin care book. A simple remedy that works to immediately reduce inflammation is making a poultice of ground sesame seeds mixed with water and applying in on the inflamed portion of the skin. However, if these steps do not work, then it is best to consult a doctor who may prescribe a more vigorous treatment approach, including oral medication.
One final thing to keep in mind when trying to heal body acne is to avoid sources of friction such as tight-fitting clothes, too-snug collars, backpacks, purse straps, and athletic pads or gear. Friction caused by certain types of clothing can aggravate existing cases of body acne. Rubbing or pressure on the skin can irritate already inflamed follicles and bring about breakouts or make existing ones worse.
Acne is a serious skin condition that can happen to anyone, regardless of their age or habits. The good news is that there are some very effective ways to clear up the problem, whether you’re looking at curing body acne or dealing with outbreaks on your face. Learn more at Curing Acne.