Acne or pimples affect most people and a variety of factors trigger this skin issue. It is one of the common causes of painful bumps and often leaves marks on any part of the skin or body, and it could be very distressing to experience it in the back area. Many people want to know how to get rid of and prevent back acne. 

In this article, we have collected references from Dr. Rajdeep Mysore, who is the best skin specialist in Bangalore and has treated multiple cases of acne at Charma Clinic. This detailed guide will break back acne, what causes it, and the tips to treat and prevent it.

Continue reading to gain deeper knowledge on back acne and its treatment!

What is Back Acne?

Back acne is the most common type of acne, developing on the back, either upper, shoulder, or lower neck. Besides the face, it is at the place where the upper back possesses more oil-producing sebaceous glands, and so becomes a very common developing place for acne. Acne includes whiteheads, blackheads, nodules, papules, cysts, etc. Most commonly, back acne occurs due to dead skin cells, oil, or bacteria getting blocked inside the pores of the skin.

What are the Different Types of Acne that Occur in the Back Area?

There exist various kinds of acne that someone may get on their back. These include, as listed below:

• Blackheads: The blackheads are small spots that appear black. They tend to develop in pores, and they are small in size. This happens because the inner lining of the hair follicles is oxidized and is not filled with dirt.
• Whiteheads: Almost similar to blackheads, whiteheads develop in clogged pores and can be felt as firm bumps on the skin.
• Papules: Papules are small, reddish spots that are tender and sore to the touch.
• Pustules: Pustules are also referred to as pimples and are pus-filled papules with a white head in the middle and a red base.
• Nodules: Nodules are large, hard lumps that are a result of acne and are described as painful.
• Cysts: Cysts are huge lumps full of pus, resembling boils. This is the most aggressive form of acne lesion, with a high probability of leaving long-term scars.

What Causes Acne on the Back?

-   Back acne is due to sebum in the glands surrounding hair follicles

-  Clogged pores and follicles from sebum, dead skin cells, sweat, and debris

-  The more sebum is produced, the higher the likelihood of blockages

-  Common causes are sweat, accumulation of dead skin, and excessive sebum

-  Genetics plays a major role in acne development

- Hormonal changes, such as those faced during adolescence, pregnancy, menstruation, menopause, or conditions like PCOS, can trigger back acne.

What are the Most Common Treatment Options That Can Be Used for Treating Acne?

1. Topical Creams and Drugs:

Dermatologists treat acne using creams, medications, antibiotics, retinoids, and oil-clearing cleansers. Oral medicines are not prescribed for conditions treated through peels, lasers, and IPL. For conditions with hormonal changes resulting in acne, hormonal medicines are prescribed and then additional treatments are done on the scars.

2. Chemical Peels:

Chemical peels apply gentle acids to the skin to speed up the natural exfoliation process. A superficial combination peel is probably the most commonly performed peel-a good treatment, but recovery requires time. Peels are repeated every 2-4 weeks and six treatments usually suffice for control of acne.

3. Lasers and Light Devices:

Lasers and IPL devices help reduce the redness of acne by targeting bacteria and small blood vessels, which accelerates pimple healing and reduces inflammation. Non-ablative lasers can treat acne scars with minimal to no downtime based on the type of scarring.

How Can One Prevent Back Acne?

It is difficult to prevent back acne. But instead, one can adhere to the following tips to lower their risk of getting back acne:

• Do not use strong cleaners on the back area, as that will dry the skin. Instead, one has to apply an alcohol-free cleanser. Excess oil, dirt, or sweat also leads to acne, so that needs to be reduced
• The right cosmetics have to be chosen according to the type of the skin. If the skin is oily, the person has to switch over to non-comedogenic products
• The skin looks pale when it is dehydrated. Hence, hydrating the body is necessary
• Moisturizing when the skin is dry immediately after washing the skin, use a non-comedogenic moisturizer to keep the skin moisturized
• Touching as little as possible. Try not to touch the back area to a great extent since hands are exposed to germs all through the day
• Direct exposure to sunlight causes severe issues as it dries out the skin, and also forms pores. Therefore, one should avoid direct exposure to sun rays
• Change your clothes after working out in a gym as sweating causes acne to occur on your back
• Limit the use of sports equipment such as heavy backpacks
• Manage your stress levels
• Wear cotton underwear and pants.

Consult the Top Dermatologist for Back Acne Treatment in Bangalore!

Acne is a prevalent skin condition that can occur on any part of the body, and thus, most people suffer from acne on the back as well. Back acne can be particularly painful and stressful, especially when the condition becomes worse. But topical medication, chemical peels, and lasers can be effective in removing the worst sorts of acne on the back.

To avail of these treatments and get rid of stubborn back acne, one can schedule a consultation with a renowned dermatologist, Dr. Rajdeep Mysore for an effective acne treatment in Bangalore. After first diagnosing the root cause of acne, the expert skin doctor then recommends the most desired treatment plan to help one achieve acne-free skin. The treatment is personalized according to the individual skin types. 

For more information on back acne treatment, pay a visit to Charma Clinic today!