If you’re struggling with pimples or blemishes on your back, know you're not alone. It’s this embarrassing thing that people try not to talk about. To treat back acne, it’s important to fully understand what acne is and why it occurs. Acne is a skin condition that occurs when the hair follicles under your skin become clogged with dirt, dead skin, or oil from the sebaceous glands. The blocked pores become inflamed, which is why acne appears red. The upper back is a common place for acne, but it can really occur anywhere there’s hair follicles. Although back acne is harder to treat, it’s certainly possible to clear up your skin at home without the need for a dermatologist. There’s five key things that you can do to clear it up.
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Shower After Working Out
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Light Therapy
Light therapy for body acne uses red and blue lights to treat and prevent acne. Blue light has an antimicrobial effect, making it an effective way to kill several types of bacteria that accumulate in your pores and oil glands. In a medical study, people with acne using blue light for five weeks saw a 77 percent improvement in their blemishes. Red light has anti-inflammatory capabilities, thus decreasing the visibility of acne. It also helps promote healing to diminish acne scarring.
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Charcoal-Based Products
Charcoal has a multitude of health benefits, but it’s recently made it’s way into the beauty industry. It’s the active ingredient in numerous products, from teeth whitening to skincare. Charcoal is a powerful acne fighter because of its purifying effect. It binds to the toxins, dirt, and oil, and lifts them out of the pores. Charcoal is a natural detox for the skin. Since charcoal helps soak up excess oil, it’s especially beneficial to use it on your back to absorb sweat. There’s a variety of charcoal-based products on the market, including scrubs, powders, masks, peels, etc. All of these products are helpful. Begin with a thorough scrub (you can make your own using a charcoal powder) and follow with a mask or peel.
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Tools for the Back
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Topical Treatments
After using a scrub, peel or mask, thoroughly dry your skin before you apply a topical treatment that contains either salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to your back. There are countless products on the market designed to fight acne. It can be overwhelming trying to choose a product with so many options. Because your back is less sensitive than the skin on your face, stick with products specifically for the body for a stronger percentage of the active ingredients. Although most topical products are creams or gels, you can try a spray for an easier application.