Body acne needs a new PR agent. It just doesn’t get the same attention of its more glamorous, facial kin. But body acne can be just as harmful, both to your skin and to your mental health. Who wants to go swimming when their chest and back look infected – even contagious? Who wouldn’t feel anxiety during an embrace, knowing their significant other may come away with a handful of zit innards? Clearly, I recall that pain of sitting down upon a butt riddled with pimples. Who wouldn’t scream when sitting down upon a butt riddled with pimples? The good news is it is always possible to get rid of body acne, or at least keep it under control.
Body acne develops mostly around the chest, back, shoulders, buttocks, and neck, but it can show up elsewhere. Geography aside, it develops in the same ways facial acne does, and so body acne treatment is very similar. First of all, you need to be gentle with your skin and cleanse no more than twice daily. Secondly, you need to deal with sebum and skin cell production, which is done through topical body acne treatments. Lastly, you need to control bacteria and inflammation. Below you’ll find well-researched advice on how to address each of these issues.
Get Rid of Body Acne at Home
Develop a sane washing regimen. People with body acne tend to wash too often and too vigorously. You can’t get rid of body acne through force. You do need to wash, but only once to twice daily. When you do shower, use warm water. Cold water lacks cleaning power and will close pores, but hot water leaves skin excessively dry. Keep on task in the shower. Excessive showering can further disrupt the already defunct chemistry of your skin, so no singing or playing with yourself (or others). When you’re finished, pat dry rather than rub and scrape.
When you shower, use a gentle cleanser. Stay away from loofahs, shower puffs, scrubs, and abrasive soaps. Use a mild, perfume and dye-free cleanser to get rid of body acne. Using your finger tips, gently massage your cleanser or body acne wash into the affected areas. After a few seconds, rinse the cleanser away. Again, use your towel to pat dry. You’ll be a bit damp, but you can just air dry the rest of the way. Wait 10-15 minutes before applying your OTC topical body acne treatment (see next step). Applying any sooner can irritate your skin, ruining your chances of success.
After showering, apply topical OTC body acne treatment(s). Though they are important pieces to the puzzle, you cannot get rid of body acne through showering and cleansing alone. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, any product is going to take 6-8 weeks to show results, and getting rid of body acne completely may take months. You’ll need to stay patient. Also, read and follow the directions religiously – how much and how often the product should be applied is the result of rigorous testing for safety and effectiveness. I’ve outlined the most common and effective OTC body acne treatments to the right (sidebar).
Wear clean, loose fitting clothing. Tight clothing traps heat and moisture, which can irritate your skin. You may look breathtaking in that snug outfit, but it could cause body acne. Clothes don’t need to be baggy, but your skin does need to breathe. Your clothes should also be washed after every use, at least those that come into contact with your body acne. Bacteria, sebum, dead skin, and oils – basically everything that causes body acne – builds up on your clothing throughout the day. Don’t reintroduce these elements to the problem areas you are trying to heal.
Avoid irritants. If you sweat heavily, work with grease or oils, or in some way become contaminated, shower as soon as possible. Avoid physical irritation by resisting the urge to pick at or squeeze body acne, which just spreads bacteria and further inflames skin. Avoid using backpacks, heavy purses, or anything else that will rub against your skin, trap heat, moisture, and oils. Clean your towels and sheets frequently, but be weary of commercial detergents and dryer sheets – for some these agitate skin and exacerbate body acne. You can find less-intense alternatives at health food stores. Lastly, food may be an irritant. Though the food-acne connection isn’t yet backed by dermatologists (research is ongoing), if certain foods cause breakouts, AVOID THEM! Common Medical Body Acne Treatments
You can expect a variety of things if you choose to see a doctor. Topical retinoid medicines are usually prescribed. These products – both synthetic and natural – are derived from vitamin A. Adapalene (Differin) and Trentinoin (Retin-A, Avita) are two common examples. They are often used in concert with other body acne treatments such as hydrogen peroxide and/or antibiotics. Isotretinoin (Accutane) is also a retinoid, and can be very effective at getting rid of body acne; however, because of its potential for serious side effects, it is used only for very severe cases of body acne and cystic acne. Oral antibiotics are often used to combat bacteria (p. acnes) and inflammation. Usually they are used along with other OTC and prescription medications. When used over time, the bacteria can develop a resistance, in which case new antibiotics are prescribed. Birth control pills are an option for women. During puberty male hormones increase in both males and, to some degree, females. These male hormones increase oil production, which can lead to acne. Birth control pills can get rid of body acne by delivering estrogen to tame oil production. They can also work well for women who experience breakouts before menstruation. Of course, any time you mess with hormones it is a serious matter.
