We’ve all been there: rubbing, squeezing, and poking at the itchy, sore, unsightly bumps that pop up on a seemingly permanent basis. We search for remedies and treatments, over-analyzing every ingredient in every blemish treatment we try. Face and body acne can be frustrating – at any age. Eventually, we decide that we’re going to stop picking at our skin altogether — but that’s easier said than done. Especially when acne is prone to make an unwelcome appearance on just about any part of your body.
While acne is a common skin issue for millions of people, the severity of acne depends on age, gender, ethnicity, hormones, and other factors. In fact, most people will at some point experience an acne breakout at least once during their lives, but back and chest acne is often an overlooked issue. These types of pimples are caused by a buildup of bacteria, sebum and dead skin cells on the surface layer of your skin. Which is why you may hear these blemishes be called blackheads.
The most common causes of back and chest acne include:
– Hormonal changes during puberty and pregnancy
– Stress and anxiety
– Excessive sweating due to exercise or hot weather
– Wearing tight clothing for long periods of time (e.g., undershirts)
– Using deodorants with artificial fragrances or alcohol-based ingredients
Chest and back acne can be a real pain. It’s difficult to reach, it’s visible, and it can be embarrassing. But while acne on the back and chest is different from facial acne, it can be treated with the same care. With the right step and attention, you can clean up your skin in no time and feel confident in showing off a smooth, clear, glowing chest and back.
Avoid touching your chest and back with dirty hands or objects.
The most important thing to remember when dealing with chest and back acne is that you don’t want to inflame or irritate the area. So, whatever you do, don’t pick at the bumps! Picking at or popping the pimples can cause scarring, or even cause more breakouts to appear. Just think about how many different surfaces or objects our hands come into contact with at any point throughout the day. From cell phones, to computer keys, to car keys, steering wheels, gym equipment, shopping carts, cups, plates, etc. At any moment our hands are exposed to millions of surface germs, and without thinking we touch our skin (pretty gnarly, huh). These everyday objects can be covered in bacteria or germs that can cause more damage to our already inflamed skin. So, avoid touching your chest and back unless you have washed your hands, or are treating your acne. This includes scratching the area as well. If your skin has acne wounds from popping or scratching, external bacteria can enter the tears in the skin and cause an infection.
Even if you don’t have any breakouts, you should try to avoid touching your face or body to prevent any future blackheads. When you touch your face frequently with unwashed hands, the oils and impurities from surrounding objects can be transferred to your pores. The excess of sebum and dead skin cells trapped will likely cause a sebum plug, also commonly known as clogged pores. These clogged pores can then turn into blackheads or whiteheads.
Shower after you work out or sweat.
Clean, dry skin is super important to achieving your clear skin goals. Especially after you’ve been sweating. This can be from work, from exercise, or even just getting through a hot day. Sweat makes chest and back acne even worse. Make sure you bathe or shower after a day of sweating. Showering and washing your back on the reg can really help to reduce breakouts. You should always wash your back last. Especially if you wash after you wash your hair. The harsh ingredients found in your shampoos and conditioner can run down your back or front, clogging pores and creating more breakouts. Make sure you get any residue out of your hair before you wash your back and chest. As you wash, make sure you’re using a gentle, mild soap-free cleanser to avoid drying out your skin further. You can use a back loofah to reach any parts of your back that you can’t reach on your own. Do not rub too hard on your skin — this may irritate it further!
Also use a mild cleanser, like Joatinga Gentle Cleanser, twice daily if you are using topical medications for the treatment of acne on your back or chest area. Our soap-free cleanser won’t leave behind residue or dry out your skin leaving you feeling nice and clean and your skin fresh.
Exfoliate your skin with a gentle scrub a few times per week.
During your shower or bath, you may use a gentle exfoliant on your back and chest. Washing your back can help eliminate acne-causing bacteria, but regular exfoliation scrubs away pore-clogging dead skin cells and other debris from the pores, which can clog them and cause acne.
We recommend using the Macumba Salt Scrub two or three days per week to clear up the chest and bacne. Crafted with avocado oil for deep hydration and acai fruit extract to fight premature aging caused by free radicals, this body scrub works by buffing away dead skin while encouraging healing. This scrub is an excellent choice for anyone with dry skin, eczema, or psoriasis. Just rub the body scrub in circular motions onto wet skin. Can’t reach your entire back? Use a long-handled exfoliating brush to make sure that the whole area gets the TLC it needs. We recommend avoiding loofahs or sponges for exfoliation, as they can harbor bacteria with frequent use. Instead, use any of Depil Brazil gentle exfoliants with just your hand or a washable exfoliating mitt.
Moisturize to prevent dryness.
A lot of acne-fighting treatments can be very drying and harsh on the skin. This is why you need an extra layer of protection. After showering you need to lock in that moisture. Keeping your skin adequately hydrated can help regulate sebum production which can lead to inflammation and pimples. Make sure to hydrate your back with a lightweight body lotion or oil like Copacabana Body and Bath Oil. It’s lightweight, fast-absorbing, and locks in up to 10 times more moisture on wet skin than ordinary lotion, leaving skin feeling soft and silky. You want to keep your skin hydrated so it doesn’t flake as much after washing off the excess oil from your pores. Apply a thin layer of moisturizer every day after showering.
Use a spot treatment.
Address pimples, with a targeted treatment so as not to dry out the rest of the skin. Using a spot treatment with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide will clear your skin without drying out the surrounding area. Benzoyl peroxide is an over-the-counter acne treatment that works by killing the bacteria that cause pimples and blackheads. Apply it sparingly to affected areas using a cotton swab or pad every night before bedtime — never apply benzoyl peroxide directly onto pustules as this could lead to chemical burns if left for too long.
Scarring and discoloration left behind by blemishes is another pesky side-effect of acne. If you’re looking for an alternative to prescription medications or over-the-counter treatments for treating hyperpigmentation, consider trying our Barra Brightening cream. Barra Cream is safe for body areas and skin types, even sensitive skin. This cream is fragrance free and is also free of Parabens and fights to reduce dark spots and discoloration on the skin’s surface.
Bonus tip: Wash your bras, bed sheets, and towels! Unwashed bras, sheets and towels also accumulate bacteria, which can contribute to acne breakouts. Wash your bras after every wear, and remember to change your sheets and towels every few days to keep clean, dry contact with your skin.
It may seem like you can’t get rid of those bothersome back and chest blemishes, but there are some simple steps you can take to fight breakouts and help prevent new ones from forming. If you’re not sure where to start with treating your bacne, or even preventing new pimples from forming. Or if you need some help clearing up those dark spots left behind by breakouts, speak to the professionals at Depil Brazil about how to address your skincare concerns. Our Wax Pros are knowledgeable and experienced in all things wax and skincare. We’re happy to help you through setting and meeting your skincare goals. Call us now or book your first visit for free!
