How to treat and lessen back acne

Have you ever tried waking up in the morning and looking in the mirror only to see that your skin is breaking out like crazy? You’d say “Crap! Where did this come from?!”  Well, I’d be the first to say yes to that one. A lot of people experience acne especially when they’re stressed out from work or at home. There’s only so much we can do to evade the demands that reality give us, right?

What is Acne? Acne is produced by the excessive production of oil from sebaceous glands which causes the hair follicles to become plugged from the inside. Yes, it generally occurs on the face, but it can also occur anywhere in the body especially the back. This is more commonly termed as Bacne by some. Although back acne behaves and develops pretty much like facial acne, they are more difficult and challenging to deal with. This is mainly because the skin on our backs is more thicker compared to our facial skin.

Cause?

No one can really pinpoint as to the specific causes of acne. However, there are several risk factors that may play a role in its development including:

• Gender: Statistics have shown that boys develop more severe acne than females.
• Hormonal fluctuations: When one hits the age of puberty, one is most likely to develop acne. It can most likely manifest before menstruation, during pregnancy and menopause.
• Diet: There is no sufficient evidence that diet can indeed cause acne however, certain foods may cause severe exacerbations. These include greasy and fatty foods.
• Drugs Side effects: Acne can be a side effect of drugs including tranquilizers, antidepressants, antibiotics , oral contraceptives and anabolic steroids.
• Personal Hygiene: Unsanitary practices like infrequent hand washing and constant pricking at pimples will make acne worse than it already is.
• Cosmetics: Oil-based makeup and hair sprays worsen acne. So try to avoid them as much as possible.
• Environment: Polluted air and sweating can significantly aggravate acne.
• Stress : Emotional stress may contribute to acne.

Treatment:

There are several treatment modalities available to lessen the number of acne on the back. Here are a few helpful ways:

-Use alpha hydroxy acid. These have been widely used by many in recent years. This is because they are helpful in clearing the skin as they act as exfoliants and helps shed the topmost layer of the skin which is mostly composed of dead skin cells.

-Topical 10% benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide has an antibacterial effect. Aside from this, it also has a mild drying effect allowing excess oils and dirt to be easily washed away from the skin.

-Accutane. This medicine had become more popular in recent years as it revolutionized the treatment of acne.  It is the only drug that has the potential to clear severe acne permanently after one course of treatment.  However, it does not come without several side effects . Some of which include severe birth defects and miscarriage. Some may even develop serious problems affecting the liver, intestines, eyes, ears, and skeletal system. You may need to consult a dermatologist before considering this option.

Helpful everyday tips:

- Use more breathable shirts during the day such as linen, cotton and silk. Avoid using polyester because these can clog pores.

-Exfoliate at least one or twice week. Just by doing this, it can remove dead skin cells in the topmost layer of the skin thereby helping to avoid the pores from being clogged up.

- Cetaphil. It is gentle and soft on the skin which avoids the drying effect that some harsh soaps have on the skin.

- Drink plenty of water. A lot of people disregard the multitude of benefits that water provides. But you should know better. Water is the ultimate miracle solution as this helps to cleanse the system from the inside and results in a clearer, more hydrated skin on the outside.

- Relax and meditate. Develop your own relaxation technique whenever you get stressed out. 5-10 minutes of meditation everyday can help.