How To Clear Back Acne (At Home and With The Best Spa Treatment)

If you have ever found yourself being self-conscious about your skin’s appearance, you’re not alone. Back and body acne isn’t just annoying; it can also be painful. Thankfully there are a lot of steps you can take to minimize or eliminate acne on your own. So let’s go over what you can do at home, as well as which spa treatment for back acne might be the perfect choice for you. Hopefully, by incorporating these tips into your routine, the days of hiding your back will soon be over!

How To Clear Back Acne

There are different types of acne and various reasons why you might be dealing with breakouts. Although it’s most common in teenagers and young adults, some people continue to battle with it for much more extended periods of time.

What Causes Back Acne

The face, back, shoulders, and upper torso have more sebaceous glands (oil-producing glands) than any other area of the body. That is why you typically see acne breakouts in these areas. Back acne, aka bacne, occurs when oil and bacteria get trapped in pores. These clogged pores cause an inflammatory response and redness, leading to acne blemishes.

Luckily for those with acne-prone skin, there are a lot of effective at-home treatments that can significantly reduce this type of acne. Developing a daily routine with the right skincare products and preventative measures should help your skin clear up again.

How To Clear Back Acne At Home

Exfoliate Regularly

Regular exfoliation is the first step to treating back acne. Removing dead skin cells will make it harder for acne-causing bacteria to become trapped inside your pores. A deep cleansing brush like the Luna is terrific at lifting away dirt and oil and, although pricy, is a fantastic tool to have. If you don’t have someone to scrub your back for you, a long-handle body brush or a back exfoliating cloth will help you with those tough-to-reach spots. For the best results, use a body wash containing glycolic acid for exfoliation, or benzoyl peroxide, which specifically targets the bacteria associated with acne.

Use an Acne Spray Or Pads On Your Entire Back

Post-shower, you should apply a back acne treatment. I personally use Stridex Medicated Acne Pads, which are saturated in 2% salicylic acid, the highest level of acne-fighting medicine allowed. Although I have always found them to be an easy and effective treatment, trying to reach your entire back can be tricky. If this is an issue for you, a product like Versed Back-Up Plan Acne-Control Body Mist is a good solution.

Spot-Treat Bacne

Clay masks and spot treatments can be done on your face as well as your back, chest, or anywhere else you’re breaking out. A purifying mask made from clay is a great option for people with oily skin. Look for spot treatments containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to dab directly on a pimple or the affected area. If you have cystic acne, a type of acne that forms deep under the skin and is often painful, it can be much harder to treat. Prescription-strength topical creams like La Roche-Posay Effaclar Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment is a great low-cost treatment option. Because this type of severe acne can leave scars, it’s essential that it isn’t left untreated.

Moisturize Your Skin

Acne’s usually associated with oily skin types, so it’s easy to understand why one might think that drying out your skin would be helpful. Unfortunately, that’s not the case, and it can even make your skin break out more. If you suddenly develop dry skin, your oil glands will increase oil production, exacerbating the problem. Although frequent use of topical acne medications can cause dryness and skin irritation, a well-rounded skincare routine with the right products can help minimize this.

Your skincare regimen should include a moisturizer suitable for acne prone skin so it won’t clog pores. Again look for “non-comedogenic” to be listed on the label. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid will bind moisture to your skin, and ceramides will help protect your skin’s natural barrier.

Shower Right After Working Out

Working out is great; waiting to shower after your sweat session is terrible. Allowing sweat and dirt to build up on your skin creates a breeding ground for acne-causing bacteria. Sometimes showering immediately after exercising isn’t an option. The next best thing you can do is to wipe off sweaty skin with some oil-free cleansing wipes, especially the acne-prone upper back area. As soon as you are able to, shower and put on fresh clothes, as poor hygiene will definitely make skin problems worse. You can read this post for more ways to avoid post-workout acne.

Never Wear Dirty Clothes

Trying to cut down on laundry by re-wearing your workout gear might be tempting but a terrible idea! The oil, dirt, and sweat on your worn clothes become a breeding ground for the bacteria that causes acne. Wash your clothes after every use to help clear up your skin.

Use An Oil-Free Sunscreen

Remember that one of the leading causes of body acne is excess oil clogging your pores. Most acne medications contain AHAs or BHAs, which can increase UV sensitivity to the sun. Therefore it’s essential to take extra protective measures against sun damage when using them to avoid further scarring and hyperpigmentation.

Choosing an oil-free sunscreen will allow you to keep your skin safe while out in the sun without worrying about triggering or exacerbating a breakout. Look for a formula that says “non-comedogenic,” which means it was formulated not to block pores.

Thoroughly Wash Shampoo and Conditioner Off Your Back

Try to avoid allowing shampoo and conditioner-coated strands to sit on your back while washing your hair. Hair products can seep into the skin and clog the pores of your shoulders, chest, and back. To prevent this from happening, clip up your hair during hair masks and conditioning treatments. Try to rinse your hair in a way that doesn’t allow for the suds to run down your back. And after washing your hair, thoroughly scrub and rinse your body clean with your acne wash shower gel.

Wear Clothes That Breathe

Tight clothes that rub on your skin can make acne breakouts worse, especially when exercising or in the summer months when you sweat more. Either cotton or moisture-wicking fabrics with a looser fit are an excellent choice.

Wash Your Sheets Every Week

Under normal conditions, the average person produces between 16 to 24 ounces of sweat each night! And just like your worn sweaty clothes, your bed sheets also breed acne-causing bacteria. If you want to clear up your skin, washing your sheets and pillowcases at least once a week is a must!

Incorporate Probiotics Into Your Daily Diet

Adding probiotics to your daily diet in the form of fermented foods like kefir, plain yogurt, tempeh, miso, kimchi, and sauerkraut can help tackle acne internally. Taking a daily probiotic supplement can help improve your skin’s microbiome. There’s growing evidence that using probiotics in both an internal and topical form may help prevent and treat various skin conditions, including eczema, acne, and dry skin.

Drink More Water

Drinking water isn’t a cure for acne, but it will provide plenty of skin and health benefits. For starters, when you’re dehydrated, your body is unable to function effectively. Drinking plenty of water will help boost your immune system and reduce inflammation. This will decrease redness and help blemishes heal faster. And remember, when you have dry, dehydrated skin, oil production increases and clogs pores.

Treat Yourself To A Back Facial

If you have tried all the above tips and still need more assistance in clearing up your skin, consider getting a back facial. The treatment usually starts with a steaming session to open pores, followed by extractions had topical products to help clear the skin. Depending on the severity of your acne, you may need additional stronger treatments that an experienced esthetician should only do.

What Is The Best Spa Treatment For Back Acne

Most dermatologists and medspas that provide facial services will also offer some type of spa treatment for back acne. You’ll need to discuss with your doctor or esthetician which is the best treatment option for you. Below are a few of the best back facials to look for when choosing a spa.

Chemical Peel

A strong chemical peel can quickly improve the skin’s appearance. These peels use acids at different concentrations to help heal back acne. They also fade hyperpigmentation and improve uneven skin tone. The acids are usually left on for a few minutes before being neutralized and removed. The peel works by creating micro-damage to the skin’s top layer of skin. This, in turn, stimulates new tissue growth and cell turnover. The end result is new healthy skin with a reduction in acne dark spots and pore size. Because back skin is thicker than the skin on your face, it takes longer for the skin to begin to peel, usually around day 6-7. For best results, a series of chemical peels should be done 6-8 weeks apart.

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Hydrafacial

A hydrafacial treatment uses multiple stages to detoxify the skin, remove dead skin cells, extract impurities, and provide lasting hydration. The first step is physical exfoliation from water pressure and a vortex tip, followed by chemical exfoliation from glycolic and salicylic acid. Next are extractions, followed by hydrating serums. Although you can expect to see a difference with a single treatment, several treatments may be required for the best results.

Led Light Therapy

Blue LED light therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses light to treat acne. It works by killing the bacteria responsible for causing acne, as well as by reducing activity in the sebaceous glands. When less oil is produced, there’s less chance of pores becoming clogged and creating new pimples.

During the treatment, you either sit or lay under a blue light for the recommended time. Although blue light is free from UV rays, it is unsuitable for people with porphyria or lupus. There is no downtime, but some people may experience mild symptoms like dry skin or itchiness that usually resolve soon after treatment. Although it depends on the severity of your acne, most people require weekly sessions for several weeks. Once symptoms clear up, a monthly follow-up can help maintain your results.

Although less powerful than the ones in use inside a doctor’s office,  anyone can buy blue light therapy devices for home use.

Microneedling

Microneedling is a great acne scar treatment option. It also addresses hyperpigmentation and stretch marks, as well as fine lines and wrinkles. This minimally invasive procedure uses thin needles to poke tiny holes into the top layer of your skin. Although slight, the damage done helps stimulate your skin’s healing process. It produces more collagen and elastin to heal the injured areas. Downtime is minimal, and complete healing takes about seven days. You can expect some redness and tenderness in the treatment area for a few days, but it will quickly fade. And again, a series of at least three treatments will provide the best results, especially if you want to improve back acne scars.

 

Stop Picking At And Popping Your Pimples

As hard as it might be, whatever you do, stop picking at and popping your pimples! You may think that you’re helping and getting rid of them, but popping pimples can make them way worse. More often than not, bacteria is pushed into the open pores creating further infection. And if you’re dealing with cystic acne, the pimple is so far under the skin it can’t come out. Squeezing only causes further inflammation and can lead to permanent scarring.

I understand how frustrating dealing with acne can be. I personally dealt with it well into my 30s. And there were many times over the years when it was so bad that I refused to wear clothes that showed my back, and I was embarrassed to leave my house. It wasn’t until I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s and started taking thyroid medication that I was able to get my hormonal breakouts under control. I was pretty disciplined about not picking at pimples, and I feel that that’s the only reason I don’t have scars today.

Xx Monti