Banishing ‘Bacne’
When we started getting pimples on our forehead in puberty, little did we know what we may be up against. Being acne-prone is a chronic and cureless skin condition. It can affect our chest, back, and arms as well. And while makeup may hide the fact that we all have skin flaws, pimples on our body and back really have an impact on self-confidence and our ability to feel comfortable in our own skin.
Acne usually follows a wave. It starts in the forehead, moves down to the T-zone. It can then flare to the cheeks and then out to the chin and the jawline, and then, finally, to the back and chest. It may leave completely, but usually, you can plan on it sticking around and possibly even evolving to take on new forms. We treat body breakouts the same as face breakouts. But, there are nuances when it comes to the body, though.
Here we’ll break down why people struggle so much with treating bacne and how to manage it for good – not just in the off-season.
What causes body acne?
The same thing that causes face acne. A combination of making too much dead skin which clogs up your pore and combines with oil and acne bacteria causing inflammation and impactions to form. That is what causes acne and that is simple. As far as what triggers the dead skin and oil to be produced, that part is a little more complicated.
What triggers body acne:
Body acne can be triggered by the same things that trigger acne on your face. These are hormones (most commonly overproduction of testosterone, PCOS, or taking progesterone-heavy birth control – check out our BC guide here), diet (most commonly dairy, soy, iodine, peanuts, or an overgrowth of gut bacteria or a food allergy), stress (chronic stress levels raise cortisol which has a testosterone-like effect and also may lead to poor lifestyle habits like lack of sleep and even auto-immune conditions), cosmetics and products (there are ingredients hiding in skincare and makeup of all types that are proven to trigger acne), and finally protein powders/workout supplements/multivitamins (B12, Biotin, and Iodine in high doses trigger breakouts). Check out a summary of acne secret triggers here.
Now that we’ve reviewed those, here are some specific struggles that come with controlling body acne.
Trigger: Working out/friction/sports
Friction is a HUGE culprit when it comes to all acne. I’m sure by now you’re familiar with it causing “maskne.” Having something rub against your skin for longish periods of time is just daring an inflammatory lesion to come on. This acne that is caused by friction is called “acne mechanica.”
We treat acne mechanica with the same tools we use to treat all acne, but avoiding tight clothes and equipment that rub against the skin is also mandatory. When items or fabrics rub against your skin, it traps dead skin, sweat, and heat against the skin which blocks and clogs the pores eventually leading to irritation and pimples.
Opt for looser and more gentle fabrics (think cotton and try loose cotton tees under synthetic fabrics like nursing scrubs or sports jerseys) and take sports bras off ASAP. Sleep in loose cotton shirts or even topless. Sanitize the fitness equipment that touches your body before you use it and where you can’t avoid clothes and equipment, make up for it with your skincare regimen.
Trigger: Scented lotions/hair products / perfumes / laundry detergent
We are a lot pickier about what goes on our faces than what goes on our bodies. If you are prone to body acne, however, you will have to adopt that level of pickiness for anywhere that acne strikes. Body and hair products are LOADED with waxes, dyes, fragrances, and oils that will make acne bacteria so very happy.
NOTHING should go on acne-affected areas besides your specific regimen. Whatever you do, avoid conventional shower gels and especially bar soap. As far as hair products go, wash your skin thoroughly after using them – and if things are still dicey, it’s best to get a list of acne-safe options from your aesthetician. We say “no” to exfoliating brushes and loofahs and want you to stick to free and clear laundry soap only. Avoid dryer sheets and fabric softeners of all kinds – even those labeled “natural” or “organic.” When in doubt, toss it out!
Treating body acne:
Easy rule: if it doesn’t come from your aesthetician, don’t use it anywhere you have acne. Even though it can be harder to spend money on body products, you have to accept there are no cheap “basic” drugstore fixes for body acne. You will need products for your back, just like your face.
After your aesthetican has helped identify and correct your specific triggers, they will recommend antibacterial and exfoliating ingredients that will fight the existing acne. You should see your skin improve and clear in 4-12 weeks, knowing that some lifestyle choices will come with occasional pimples. Make time for back treatments every 3-8 weeks, we will perform extractions and do deep peels and microdermabrasion to help discoloration and scarring. Book a back treatment here.
And if that doesn't work:
There may be a gut health issue or auto-immune condition we are missing. Continue to treat the best you can while taking a closer look and consider keeping a journal of your skin ebbs and flows. Do not overcompensate with supplements or stress endlessly about it. Those will make things worse. Entrust your skin health to your aesthetican and physical health to your chosen provider. Meaning, don’t get advice on treating acne from nutritionists or doctors, and don’t expect us to give you in-depth health or medication advice.
Bump up your back treatments as often as every 2-3 weeks. Take progress photos to really see if things are failing to improve. There are skin diseases that look like acne, but are not – we will do our best to identify and treat those as well.
Most cases that don’t improve are from a lack of consistency. We see this, especially with the back. It’s a large hard to see area and gets forgotten about in colder months. It may be hard-to-keep spending the money on products, and you will oftentimes clear for an event or occasion and then forget about it. But stay on top of it and keep working with your aesthetician. Don’t lie about using your products, find the motivation, and don’t be too shy to ask friends and family to help apply toners and treatment products. It may take a village, but we’ve all got your back! ;)