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How To Get Rid of Bacne: A Quest for Clear Back Skin

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Brian Melville

Acne can develop anywhere on your body that you have sebaceous glands. The more sebaceous glands you have in one area, the more likely it is to have a breakout. 

The back happens to contain some of the most sebaceous glands on your body, making back acne extremely common for men. 

Getting rid of those red bumps in hard-to-reach areas like your back can be done with simple lifestyle changes. From cleansers to exfoliators (chemical exfoliants like chemical peels), retinoids, and scrubs, many skincare products can help you tackle back acne. 

If you are one of the many men afflicted with this undesirable condition but are looking to clear your skin, we here at Particle have compiled a full guide for understanding and combating back acne.

Understanding Back Acne

Acne is a skin condition that typically occurs on areas of skin with the most sebaceous glands. Acne bacteria will feed on the dead skin cells, excess sebum and dirt clogging your hair follicles. This often leads to redness, swelling, and irritation of the skin.

There are different types of acne that can develop, as well as different levels of severity. 

Whiteheads develop when the follicle wall bulges, oil, and dead skin cells cause the pore to remain closed on the skin’s surface. Whiteheads look like small white bumps on the skin.

Blackheads develop when the follicle is filled with dead skin cells and oil, causing it to become clogged, but it remains open to the surface. When the buildup is exposed to air, the bump gets its black hue.

Pustules and papules are the most common types of inflammatory acne. Both are red, swollen bumps on the skin that range from 1mm to 5mm in size. The major difference is that papules have no visible pus, and pustules contain white or yellow pus that can be seen at the tip.

Cysts are the most severe type of acne. Red, swollen cysts filled with pus can develop deep beneath the skin due to clogged pores and oil glands. These blemishes can be tender to the touch.

When it comes to causing acne, there are several triggers.

One of the most common is hormonal changes. For example, when men hit puberty, the androgen hormone experiences its first major increase in production, prompting the sebaceous glands to enlarge. These enlarged glands can lead to excess sebum, clogging, and pimples.

Another common trigger is stress. Experiencing high levels of stress can increase the release of stress-related hormones, causing the sebaceous glands to increase their rate of sebum production. This can lead to more sebum clogging your pores and causing pimples.

A third trigger is one’s diet. Studies suggest that the overconsumption of certain foods like those rich in carbohydrates or dairy can cause acne to worsen. Healthy diets containing vitamins and minerals have been shown to support your skin and body’s wellness.

The cause of your back acne, as well as the type of pimples developed on your back, may be any number of the ones mentioned above. Nevertheless, the closest explanation to what you are dealing with may be acne mechanica.

Acne mechanica develops when your skin is rubbed and is repeatedly exposed to friction. Unlike other forms of acne, acne mechanica is not caused by something internal but rather by an external force. The inflammatory lesions on your back come from the friction of your clothing repeatedly rubbing against your skin.

Treatment

There are a couple of easy adjustments that you can make in your day-to-day life to get rid of your back acne and ensure that it never develops again.

Adjusting Your Clothing

Exercising regularly may be the explanation for your back acne. The chances of developing acne on your body increase if your gym clothes consist of tight-fitting athletic gear. Material that fits tightly against you and rubs against your body as you work out can cause acne mechanica. 

One of the simplest adjustments you can make to your exercise routine to avoid developing back acne is adjusting your clothing. In addition to causing friction, tight shirts can trap humidity and promote the production of pimples. Wearing backpacks frequently can also cause friction and may lead to back acne developing.

If possible, go shirtless or choose looser attire than what you currently wear for working out. By sporting less restrictive attire, you will remove friction from the equation and minimize your chances of developing acne mechanica.

Your skin may also be sensitive to the type of material that your clothing is made out of. As an extra precaution, you should try avoiding synthetic fabrics, which consist of man-made fibers, and opt for natural ones instead. 

If you cannot find clothing made of a natural fiber material that suits your preference, you can try wearing breathable fabric instead. Breathable fabric is designed to allow perspiration to escape out of the restraints of your clothing. 

Additionally, it is important that you manage your sweat and hygiene. If you lead an active lifestyle, this is especially important for avoiding back acne. 

After a workout, especially one that is high intensity, it is important that you get out of your sweaty clothes and hit the shower. While sweat is natural and should not negatively affect you on its own, sweat combined with the humidity trapped in your clothing and the friction from your exercising can have some negative results.

The bacteria that infect the clogged hair follicles in your epidermis may remain stagnant on your body and may cause pimples. Making time to maintain your hygiene using a quality body wash after an intense workout session will help hinder the development of back acne.

We recommend using Particle Body Wash. Our body wash uses high-grade Dead Sea minerals to offer your skin a deep cleanse while also leaving you feeling moisturized, energized, and fresh.

Particle Body Wash is unique for its purifying and cleansing, helping men everywhere maintain healthy, soft, supple skin. The wash can even strengthen skin tissue, improve blood circulation, and eliminate toxins.

Adjusting Your Moisturizer

One of the main causes of back acne is bacteria and dirt building up on your back and the vulnerable skin becoming irritated.

To prevent this bacteria from turning into pimples, you can provide your skin with a layer of protection by consistently applying moisturizer. 

For your moisturizer to be successful, it is important that you select one that has quality ingredients. There are several ingredients to avoid when choosing your moisturizer.

One of which is parabens. Parabens are preservatives used in skincare products to combat the growth of bacteria and prevent them from expiring for long periods. Parabens sometimes mimic the hormone estrogen, causing them to alter essential hormone mechanisms. 

There are also synthetic fragrances which are man-made scents added to products. Many of these fragrances contain allergens and hormone disruptors and can be found in all sorts of skincare and grooming products, including moisturizers. 

Another is phthalates. Phthalates are used to make the fragrances in your moisturizer stick to your skin. These chemicals can have a negative effect on your hormones and can be toxic to your organs. 

You should also try avoiding polyethylene glycol. Polyethylene glycol is a compound typically used in moisturizers as a thickener, softener, moisture carrier, and solvent. While polyethylene glycol has been determined safe for skin, the issue is that it is known to be contaminated by the carcinogens ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane when manufactured. 

Another is formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is typically used in skincare products as a preservative to prevent the growth of microorganisms. This ingredient can cause allergic reactions, rashing, and skin irritation.

There is also triclosan and triclocarban. Triclosan and triclocarban are agents and preservatives used in moisturizers. Repeated exposure to this ingredient may cause skin irritation and may be an endocrine disruptor, impacting organ system toxicity.

Finally, there is benzalkonium chloride. Benzalkonium chloride is a type of surfactant and disinfectant most commonly used in moisturizers. The ingredient is known to cause skin irritation and allergies resulting in red, itchy rashing. 

While there are several ingredients to avoid when finding the right moisturizer, some creams get it just right.

For example, we recommend trying Particle Face Cream. This premium 6-in-1 anti-aging cream is a radical innovation in men’s skincare. It can help to reduce wrinkles, alleviate eye bags, remove dark spots, soothe the skin after a shave, and nourish your skin. 

This is made possible by the right combination of beneficial ingredients: Jojoba oil, vitamin E, Allantoin, Glycerin, Shea butter, Squalane oil, Coffee seed extract, Lactic acid, and Ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate, Pentavitin, Sym white, and Hyaluronic acid.

Conclusion

Acne is neither attractive nor comfortable. It makes sense not to want to have it anywhere on your body, even on your back. It may seem inevitable for men who live busy, active lifestyles to have to deal with it, but there are ways to rid yourself of unwanted bacne. 

If your back acne is severe, it would be best to visit a dermatologist. After a diagnosis, they may prescribe you over-the-counter medications or a prescription. 

Be conscious of your hygiene, maintain good showering habits, use high-quality products in and out of the shower, and alter your wardrobe when necessary. Defeating your back acne is possible with a bit of effort.

 

Sources:

Acne vulgaris: pathogenesis, treatment, and needs assessment | NCBI 

Acne mechanica | NCBI 

Parabens | NCBI