Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesTypesTreatmentPreventionWhen to Seek Treatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Types
Treatment
Prevention
When to Seek Treatment
Back acne and body acne are common problems. About 10% of people have acne at some point. While it most often starts during puberty, acne has become more common in adults.
The chest, neck, shoulders, upper arms, and even the butt are common places to get pimples. Back acne is so common it even has its own informal name: bacne.
Verywell / Joshua Seong
Backacnehas the same causes as acne that appears on the face, including overactive oil glands, excess dead skin cells, and acne-causing bacteria. These can lead to breakouts anywhere on the body.
Here’s how pimples develop:
Like the face, the upper half of the body has manysebaceousglands. These glands producesebum(oil) to help your skin maintain moisture, regulate temperature, and prevent infections.
Because so many of these glands are on the upper body (as opposed to the limbs), the follicles are more likely to become plugged with excess oil and dead skin cells.
Different types of acne can have different causes. Where and when your acne appears can help you understand what’s causing it and how to prevent it.
Acne Cosmetica
Potentially problematic ingredients include:
If you have acne cosmetica or acne in general, look for products that are labeled “non-comedogenic” or check the ingredients list before buying.
Acne Mechanica
Tight clothing, sports equipment, and other gear may trigger your body and back acne breakouts. Rubbing or putting pressure on the skin, combined with heat or sweat, irritates and inflames follicles.
This causes a specific type of acne calledacne mechanica.Try to avoid sources of friction while you’re trying to heal body acne. They include:
Sweat
Sweat can also irritate body acne.To minimize irritation, shower as soon as possible after exercising.
Don’t aggressively scrub the skin, though as you should avoid friction. A thorough but gentle cleansing—preferably with asalicylic acidor benzoyl peroxide wash—is better than a vigorous scrubbing.
Back Acne ScarsIf you have backacne scarsthat negatively affect your life or self-esteem, see a dermatologist to discuss treatments. They can include fillers (collagen for fat used to plump up the skin), resurfacing like chemical peels or microdermabrasion, or minor surgery for highly visible scars.
Back Acne Scars
If you have backacne scarsthat negatively affect your life or self-esteem, see a dermatologist to discuss treatments. They can include fillers (collagen for fat used to plump up the skin), resurfacing like chemical peels or microdermabrasion, or minor surgery for highly visible scars.
Back Acne Treatment
Good daily skin care is the first step towards preventing pimples on your back. However, finding a treatment that works can seem frustrating, especially if you’ve already tried several things with little improvement.
OTC Treatments
Over-the-counter (OTC) treatmentsfor back acne that can be applied at home without a prescription include:
While OTC treatments work for mild breakouts, you may need a prescription treatment to completely clear your back of acne if your breakouts are more severe.
Prescription Treatments
If you have severe acne, frequent breakouts, or if your acne doesn’t respond to over-the-counter remedies, you may need to see a healthcare provider to get a prescription treatment. These include:
To prevent body or back acne breakouts, experts recommend:
Remember that even after successfully treating acne, it can come back if you don’t continue to take preventative measures or if you resume the activities and/or the use of products that trigger it.
When to See a Provider
You shouldsee a dermatologistfor your body or back acne when:
Summary
Keep the area clean, but avoid harsh scrubbing. Instead, gently wash the area with a product that is specially formulated for acne. You may also find OTC or prescription treatments helpful.
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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