Submit your skincare questions to Dr. Agnes, CEO of Herborium and natural medicine expert
AcnEase® is the only oral acne treatment that targets the internal imbalances responsible for back acne. AcnEase is more then just a treatment it's a way to prevent new back acne from forming.
As the skin on the back is thicker than anywhere else on the body, back acne treatment requires more time and disciplined regimen to see improvement.
Since back acne is not only hard to treat but also hard to reach, AcnEase will show visible improvement after 4-6 weeks. Some patients may have to use AcnEase for up to three months. In addition to AcnEase, patients should wash the area gently with a mild cleanser and let dry. Some topical and not harsh disinfectant can also be used sparingly and on a small surface. Do not rub it over the entire back. Apply moisturizer if needed.
One more thing to mention when talking about back acne is back packs. Heavy back packs rub on the upper shoulders/back and can cause irritation. As annoying as it sounds, you might want to try a hand-held bag for the first few weeks of your back acne regimen. Once you are clear, try using a back pack again. If you break out, you'll know to go back to a hand held bag.
To improve the condition of back acne, it is vital to understand what the root cause of this skin disease is, and also some information about what doesn't cause back acne. In general, the skin on a back is thicker and contains many sebaceous glands. They are sometimes over-stimulated by such factors such as internal imbalance or hormonal fluctuations due to puberty or heavy exercise which induces extra male hormones called androgens and happens to both males and females.
These sebaceous glands are situated just below the surface of the skin. Sebaceous glands continuously produce and secrete oil through the openings (pores) in the skin. When extra amounts of sebum are produced, pores and hair follicles become clogged.
The resulting mess of sebum and dead cells plugs the hair follicle and attracts bacterial attack. The bacteria cause the surrounding tissues to become inflamed and acne is formed. In back acne, if the inflammation is right near the surface than the patient gets a pustule. If infection is deeper, it forms papule. Deeper still, acne causes cysts which are the worst form of acne and carry the possibility of permanent scarring. In back acne, if the extra sebum breaks through the skin it causes a whitehead, and if the head of the infection becomes dark due to the skin pigment melanin, it is called a blackhead.
Back acne may be found on the back and even on the buttocks of some people. It can be a severe form when the lesions are large and painful. As with much acne, the exact cause of back acne is also not known.
It may be just a coincidence, or may be caused by external irritants such as tight clothing or a heavy backpack. It is not possible to keep the area of back and buttocks untouched because we all must sit down or carry things around. For this reason, it is better to concentrate on the treatment of back acne than focus about the causes of this skin disorder.