How to get rid of Back & Shoulder Acne

Causes of back acne

There are many reasons people get acne, so it’s important to know why and how pimples form.Your body produces oil called sebum. It’s made in the glands connected to your hair follicles. Sebum moves up the hair follicles to add moisture to your skin and hair.

Pimples form when extra sebum and dead skin cells build up. This buildup blocks skin pores and bacteria. When the hair follicle wall swells out, it forms a whitehead pimple. When the clogged pore gets exposed to air,Blackhed pimples form.

Genetics. Trouble with acne can run in your family.
Medications. Acne can develop as a side effect of some medicines like certain antidepressants.
Hormones. Hormonal changes in the teenage years are often the cause of acne. But for women past puberty, pimple outbreaks can be linked to hormonal changes that happen during menstruation and pregnancy.
Sweat. Sweat, especially if it’s trapped under tight clothing, can make acne worse.
Stress. Stress isn’t a direct cause of acne, but it could be a contributing factor.

What kinds of acne can appear on your shoulders?

Much like on your face, you can get all kinds of shoulder pimples ranging from mild to severe — whether they’re a result of acne vulgaris or acne mechanica. Here are the types of acne most commonly found on the shoulders.

Whiteheads: Tiny bumps with a white centre. Whiteheads contain sebum and a protein known as keratin
Blackheads: Small black dots that often appear in clusters across the skin. Contrary to popular belief, blackheads don’t get their darkened appearance because they contain dirt. Instead, a blackhead is made up of oxidised sebum.
Papules: Red dots that are smaller than 1cm across and don’t have a clear head. Sometimes they can be a little sore.
Pustules: Red lumps with a distinct head, which is filled with white pus.
Nodules: A more serious form of acne that forms larger and often tender lumps beneath the skin.
Cysts: Another form of severe acne that appears under the skin and contains pus. Cystic acne tends to leave scars.

Treatments for back acne

1. Shower after a workout

Letting the sweat and dirt sit on your skin after a workout can be a big contributor to back acne. Shower as soon as you can after a workout. You should also wash those sweaty workout clothes between sweat sessions.

3. Wear loose-fitting clothing

Your workout habits can irritate back acne. For example, tight clothing can trap dirt and sweat and rub it into your pores. Working out with no shirt against a sweaty gym machine or on a dirty floor, can also cause problems.Go for loose-fitting clothing that lets your skin breathe and helps wick away sweat.

Try tea tree oil

Tea tree oil is made from the leaves of a tree in Australia. It’s been used by Australians for years to treat a variety of skin issues. Today, you can find many lotions, cleansers, and creams using the ingredient. There is some evidence to suggest it might help in treating acne by killing extra bacteria.

Choose sunscreen carefully

Protecting your skin from damaging sun is important, especially if you’re exposing your bare back. But greasy sunscreen can also contribute to clogging pores. Make sure to choose products that are oil-free and light on the skin.

Eat healthy

Ever heard the expression “you are what you eat?” An unhealthy diet can affect our bodies in a variety of ways. If you’re prone to acne, certain foods could be triggers.

It’s a good policy to practice eating a healthy, balanced diet with lots of:

Vegetables
Fruits
Lean protein
Whole grains

Go for a prescription acne treatment

For more severe forms of acne, or when OTC solutions just aren’t working, often a prescription treatment is the best way to go. These can be sourced from a healthcare provider or dermatologist .A medical professional will be able help you and recommend the best solution to suit your case.