BODY ACNE
Have you ever had body acne before? Or are you feeling insecure with your body acne that is affecting your confidence to wear certain outfits? If you are dealing with body acne, just so you know that it is completely normal and you are not alone!
Acne can not only affect the face, but can also happen on other body parts like back, shoulder, arms, chest, buttocks. The back of the skin is also extremely thick and hence more prone to blocked pores and acne.
HOW DOES BODY ACNE DEVELOP?
Our body naturally produces oil called sebum to keep our skin moisturized. The oils are produced by sebaceous glands that are located in our hair follicles.
The skin normally renews itself every month or so by shedding off dead skin cells. However, sometimes, dead skin cells might not be fully shed off by the body which causes them to be trapped within the hair follicles.
The overproduction of sebum and excess accumulation of dead skin cells can clog the skin pores. This blockage can cause one to experience small bumps on the skin, known as pimples, or it can be whiteheads or blackheads as well. The clogged pores also tend to create an anaerobic environment for the bacteria to grow, typically Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), which can lead to the formation of inflammatory pimples filled with pus. If it is not well taken care of, skin scarring can occur.
CAUSES
SELF-HELP / PREVENTATIVE STRATEGIES
Most of the time, one can get rid of body acne with some lifestyle changes and home remedies. Nevertheless, one should seek medical advice from health professionals or dermatologists if there is unclear acne for a long period of time or severe acne that is affecting mood and daily activities.
Here are some self-management strategies:
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Cleanse and Exfoliate
Use non-irritating, fragrance free body cleansers. Ideally, cleanse twice daily, make sure not to over-cleanse as it can cause skin dryness and further irritate the skin. Antibacterial body wash can be used as well to kill bacterias that might be causing the acne. Use exfoliators containing salicylic acid or AHA/BHA properties to help remove dead skin cells.
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Avoid picking and squeezing pimples to avoid further inflammation and acne scarring.
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Shower after exercise and workouts
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Avoid tight fitting clothes
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Keep hair off the back
Long hair can trap heat on your back, the hot and humid environment makes it favorable for acne to develop. Oils and dirts on the hair can also clog the skin pores.
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Home remedies such as applying tea tree oil, aloe vera as they help to fight against skin inflammation and have a soothing effect. Consumption of green tea or honey drinks can help to detoxify the body.
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Limit the intake of sugary and dairy food
Consumption of food with high sugar content can cause insulin level to spike and eventually lead to more sebum production.
MEDICATED TREATMENT
Most of the treatments available aim to reduce sebum production, reduce stickiness and accumulation of dead skin cells, and kill Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes). Treatments differ for everyone depending on the severity of acne and skin conditions. Hence, it is important to consult a doctor in order to choose a treatment that is most suitable for yourself.
Here are some medication options:
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Topical salicylic acid - to exfoliate and unclog skin pores
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Topical benzoyl peroxide - to remove excess sebum and dead skin cells
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Topical/oral antibiotics - has antibacterial effects on the skin which makes it able to fight against P.acne
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Topical/oral retinoids - to reduce sebum production and remove dead skin cells
TAKEAWAY
It is important to identify the root causes in order to fully combat body acne. If it is not improving despite using the self-management strategies or if it is severely affecting your mood and daily life, seek advice from a dermatologist to discuss on treatments that work best for you.
It’s okay to have acne, don’t let it control your day!
A word from DOC2US
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References
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Better Health Channel - https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/acne#selfhelp-strategies-for-acne
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Dermnetz - https://dermnetnz.org/topics/acne-treatment/
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Healthline - https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-get-rid-of-back-acne#medications
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Medical news today - https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/71702#causes
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Very well health - https://www.verywellhealth.com/treating-back-acne-15636
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Webmd - https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/acne/features/medications
