All You Wanted To Know About Back Acne

Back acne, bacne or zits, as it is generally called, is acne formed on the back. Bacne is generally limited to the back and upper torso. However in some cases it can be found on buttocks of some people. This can be often more serious than its facial counterpart due to the appearance of nodules and cysts on the back. This article helps you understand the causes, treatment and prevention of bacne.

Causes Of Back Acne

Like other forms of acne, bacne also occurs when oil producing sebaceous glands start functioning more actively around puberty. These sebaceous glands are positioned just below the skin's surface. When excess oil is produced through these glands, oil and dead skin cells become trapped within the skin pores and create blockage. This attracts bacteria which cause the nearby tissues to become sore and thus acne erupts. Friction caused by tight clothing may aggravate the existing acne. Tight-fit clothes, backpacks, handbags straps, sporty gear are some sources of friction which are best avoided when you're trying to cure bacne.

Excessive sweating can also accentuate zits. To avoid irritation, shower immediately after exercising. Never scrub the acne affected skin to avoid friction. Gentle but thorough cleansing is preferred over vigorous scrubbing.

Genetics too may be the cause of other types of acne, but generally people do not seem to have bacne as their parents did. Studies suggest that oily or spicy food also seems to cause or aggravate zits.

Treatments For Back Acne

To treat mild bacne, do the following:

• Wash acne affected back with an anti-bacterial cleanser like salicylic acid everyday. Regular soaps must be avoided.
• Lotions containing alpha hydroxy acid (like lactic acid) are also effective. Alpha hydroxyl acid helps in exfoliating the skin and thus reduces pore clogging.
• OTC Benzoyl peroxide pads are available which can be used to wipe the back. You can use all these different products in tandem with each other.

Moderate to severe form of zits are often characterized by many nodules and cysts. They are difficult to control and best treated by a dermatologist.

Prevention Of Back Acne

One of the main causes of acne is dead cells. Exfoliation is an excellent method to remove dead cells from the back and buttocks. Instead of using salt scrubs, try using milder sugar scrub once a week to prevent bacne.

As with any other type of acne, back acne also takes time to heal. Try to use different over-the-counter products or prescribed medicines before finding the right treatment that works best for you. Do not fret; most cases of bacne can be effectively treated, provided you put in your best effort, time and patience.