Back acne is a common problem and quite annoying. Prepubertal teens and adults who experience it know that back acne is different from acne on the face. However, because back acne is caused by overactivity of the oil glands, some of the treatments are similar to acne vulgaris.
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Method 1 of 3: Changing Your Lifestyle
Step 1. Put on a clean bra
Wearing a clean bra is very important. Make an effort to change your bra every day. Bra straps should also be tight enough that they don't rub against the pimple every time you move, as this can irritate them. If possible, wear a strapless bra as it can reduce redness around the shoulder blades.
Step 2. Wear loose, cool, clean clothes
Ensure the cleanliness of any material that comes into contact with your back. If possible, wear clothing made mostly of natural fibers, such as cotton. Try to avoid tight clothing. Also, wash your clothes regularly, or better yet, after each wear.
- Try to wash clothes using a mild laundry soap with little or no fragrance. Acne can be caused or exacerbated by harsh or over-scented laundry soaps.
- If possible, soak white clothes in bleach. The bleach will kill the bacteria on the clothes and prevent the growth of acne. Be sure to rinse the clothes thoroughly to prevent your skin from being irritated by the remaining bleach.
Step 3. Take a shower after sweating
Remember to shower after running or playing basketball. Sweat after exercise that is not cleaned from the skin will become a breeding ground for acne-causing bacteria. In addition, sweat can also clog pores and trigger the growth of acne.
Step 4. Make sure to rinse off the conditioner after shampooing
One possible cause of back acne is leftover conditioner after shampooing. Conditioner is good for your hair, but not for your back. There are several ways to prevent conditioner from hitting your back and causing annoying breakouts, including:
- Lower the temperature of the water before rinsing the conditioner out of your hair. Warm water will open the pores, while cold water will close them. Opening pores right when the conditioner is rinsed off is not what supports an acne-free back.
- Wash your back at the end, after shampooing and using conditioner.
- Instead of using conditioner in the shower, try using a leave-in conditioner instead.
Step 5. Change your laundry detergent
Laundry soap can irritate sensitive skin. Try changing your laundry detergent to another brand that's gentler on your skin.
Step 6. Wash the sheets regularly
Dead skin cells and dust can build up quickly on the surface of the sheets. Pets that sleep on it will also carry dirt. Change and wash your sheets twice a week.
- If you can, soak the sheets in bleach to kill any acne-causing bacteria that remain after washing. Be sure to rinse the sheets thoroughly to prevent skin irritation from remaining chemicals.
- Also make sure to wash blankets, bedding, and other bedding regularly.
Method 2 of 3: Using Drugs
Step 1. Use an oil-free medicated soap to cleanse your entire body
You may need a soap that contains the active ingredient 2% salicylic acid. Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash is one example of a pretty good product. Focus on cleaning the pimple area, then wait about 1 minute before rinsing off any remaining oil. Leave it until the medicine is absorbed and works.
Step 2. Moisturize skin with an oil-free medicated lotion
Literally, the skin is an organ of the body. Like any other organ in the body, the skin needs water and other nutrients to look and feel healthy. Apply lotion on your back after every shower (every day).
Another option, use a lotion without drugs, just make sure it's guaranteed to be non-comedogenic. Lotion is necessary because salicylic acid will dry out your skin
Step 3. Apply the medicated cream on the pimple
Since you've already used salicylic acid to cleanse and moisturize your skin, use another remedy for the affected area, such as 2.5% benzoyl peroxide. Do not use 5% or 10% benzoyl peroxide if your skin is very sensitive, as this will exacerbate the irritation. If you are sensitive to benzoyl peroxide, a 10% sulfur solution may be more suitable for you.
Step 4. Use a retinol cream
Apply retinol cream to your back at night. This cream will exfoliate the skin and prevent acne breakouts in hard-to-reach places.
Step 5. Use AHAs and BHAs
Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are efficacious as exfoliants, and can exfoliate dead skin cells that tend to clog pores and cause acne. Meanwhile, beta hydroxy acid (BHA) will fight bacteria from within. If you can, find a body scrub that contains AHAs, and use the scrub to cleanse your body three times a week. After showering and moisturizing your body, wipe a wet tissue containing BHA on your back.
Step 6. Visit a dermatologist
Acne on the back may need to be treated with creams or prescription medications. Don't be afraid to visit a dermatologist and have it confirmed.
Method 3 of 3: Get Rid of Back Acne Naturally
Step 1. Exfoliate the skin with a rough sponge or loofah
Just don't rub too vigorously, or you'll only make skin irritation worse.
Step 2. Go to the beach
Soak your back in seawater at the beach for about 10 minutes. Then, bask in the sun for 10-15 minutes. The sun will dry out the pimple. However, don't stay in the sun for too long, as it can burn your skin and make acne worse. Repeat this step several times and you will feel the results within the first 2 days.
Step 3. Try using zinc
Although not a common home acne remedy, in some cases, zinc is quite effective and is known as an acne killer. Zinc is a metal that humans need in small doses to carry out certain functions. In addition to treating acne, zinc is useful for boosting the body's immune system. Zinc can be used to treat back acne in 2 different ways:
- Apply zinc directly to the surface of the skin. Try looking for a cream that contains 1.2% zinc acetate and 4% erythromycin, then rub it onto the skin twice a day. If you can't find a cream of this kind, simply punch a hole in a soft zinc tablet, scoop some of the contents onto your finger or an earplug, then apply it directly to your back.
- Make zinc a part of your daily vitamin intake. Try taking zinc picolinate daily at a dose of about 25-45 mg. Do not take more than 50 mg daily, as this can put you at risk for copper deficiency. Zinc in higher doses can interfere with the body's absorption of copper.
Step 4. Make a natural exfoliating scrub
This scrub will help remove dead skin cells that clog pores and cause acne. Squeeze one grapefruit into a bowl containing 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar and 1/2 cup coarse sea salt. Massage it into the affected area, then pat it dry.
Step 5. Change the pH of your skin
pH is a measure of the acidity of the skin. Researchers found that a pH below 5, or ideally 4.7, benefits the overall health of the skin as well as the good bacteria that support its health. Bathing with soap, in particular, can raise the pH to more than 5, resulting in dry, rough, and acne-prone skin.
- Consider replacing your shower head. Buy a shower head that can filter out the chlorine in the water. Your skin will look healthier afterwards. The price of a shower head that is quite good and equipped with a filter is only around Rp. 300,000, 00 to Rp. 600,000, 00, but it is very influential on the health of your skin.
- Make a 1:1 mixture of apple cider vinegar and water in a spray bottle. After showering and before going to bed, spray the vinegar solution on your skin and allow it to dry. This treatment will lower the pH of your skin naturally.
- Instead of apple cider vinegar, you can use witch hazel and 1:1 drinking water to get the same effect.
Tips
- Avoid eating too many non-nutritive foods, because these types of foods may be one of the triggering factors for back acne. In addition, scratching the back can spread acne so it should also be avoided.
- Clean the loofah thoroughly after each use, because it is easy for bacteria and germs to grow.
- Drink 8 glasses of water every day. Enough fluids for the body will make it not too much oil that supports the growth of bacteria that cause back acne.
- Bath soap to treat acne is also available in generic preparations. You only need to look for the active ingredient 2% salicylic acid.
- Don't irritate the pimple as it will redden and sometimes cause scarring.
- Lemon is very useful for drying acne.
- Avoid nutritive foods to prevent the spread of acne on the back only at the same time on the face and other parts of the body!
- For men, do not undress and touch dirty objects such as walls or the ground.
- If you're sensitive to salicylic acid or don't think commercial products are effective at treating back acne, try an acne medicated powder. This powder is usually quite effective and won't dry out your back too much. Consult a pharmacist to find out the product options available.
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Other solutions to treat back acne:
- Tea tree soap
- Anti-dandruff shampoo containing zinc.
- Tea tree oil is a natural treatment that can be used to replace benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid.
- Skin treatments with lemons (sliced and rubbed on the skin) or tomatoes are very beneficial, because the acid in them will kill harmful bacteria. This method is especially suitable for sensitive skin that is easily irritated by chemical treatments.
Warning
- Do not pick or squeeze the pimple. This will only increase the chance of infection. Treat cracked pimples with 3% hydrogen peroxide or 10% benzoyl peroxide to reduce the chance of infection.
- If you are taking Accutane, do not use Neutrogena or benzoyl peroxide.[citation needed] Accutane works by shutting down the oil glands under the skin thereby eliminating the main oil producers.[citation needed]
