Back Acne: Remedies for Unseen Acne

Back acne can be a particularly vicious beast. The back is the most likely place for cystic acne to develop: hard comedones appearing as acne black boils under the skin. It’s also a very difficult area to reach, so topical methods can be quite difficult. However, there are still many back acne remedies that one can try.

Causes of Back Acne

As with all acne, back acne is caused by bacterial infection under the skin, namely from the bacteria Propionibacterium acnes. It is these bacteria that are the causes of back acne. These bacteria cause redness and irritation (inflammation). They also create enzymes which dissolve the oil glands into irritating substances. The oil glands themselves are aggravated by androgen hormones, which occur in men and women, but in greater quantities for men. These hormones increase the size of the sebaceous glands, and increase oil production, causing plugged skin pores.

Back Acne Treatment

Due to the rather difficult locale of back acne, solutions to getting rid of back acne are hard to apply directly. In most cases, prevention is the name of the game rather than a back acne cure. However, treatments that work elsewhere on the body work wonders as solutions to getting rid of back acne.

Firstly, a proper cleaning regimen is of utmost importance to clear back acne. Since acne occurs when pores are blocked and thus infected, the most important of back acne remedies is to unblock these pores. An exfoliating scrub is good therapy to open up the pores. Natural facial cleanser products for back acne can include these scrubs, easily found in any drug or grocery store (Trader Joe’s might have the most natural of these back acne products). As to the application of these drugs, the location of the back does make things a little bit difficult. To this end, it may be recommended to employ the services of a helper…a significant other, perhaps. My particularly sadistic girlfriend takes great pleasure in attacking the pores on my back with tweezers, though there are surely far less painful alternatives. If it makes her happy though, who am I to complain?

Once you get the pores open, either through an exfoliating scrub or more masochistic methods, it’s vitally important to keep those pores open and clean. They are a great deal more exposed to infection now, though they are much healthier. To this end, it’s a great idea to invest in a back brush. With a nice long handle, you can get to those hard-to-reach places with relative ease. It’s important to scrub hard, as these pores are now exposed. Pain is a great acne cure, it seems.

A washcloth will allow direct intervention to troubled areas, scrubbing out any areas prone to infection…as long as you scrub hard. Of course, as back acne products go, washcloths are not terribly ideal.

Diet Regimen

You may have been dreading this section, but diet is just as important for back acne as it is for any other kind of acne. Bad food is bad food, when you’re talking about acne or any other bodily condition. Fried foods, trans fats, and even vegetable oils should be avoided. Sugars and caffeinated products have also been suggested as aggravators of adult acne. Vegetables and fruits are a great, safe diet that will not introduce any factors that will increase acne. An increase in omega-3 fats, such as those found in salmon and other fish, also promotes skin health. This end can also be addressed by taking fish oil supplements. Be aware though…fish oil pills should be followed by mints. Since meats do have considerable hormones, they should essentially be reduced…after all, it was hormones like testosterone that got you into this mess in the first place!

It’s the same healthy diet any doctor will recommend. To this end, it helps not only with acne problems, but basically any other health issue you may have. It may not be easy at first, but the results are worth it, beyond a shadow of a doubt, and it takes no doctor to know this.

Topical Creams

The same treatments that work as a facial acne remedy will also work on back acne. Most dermatologists will prescribe typical over the counter medications for mild to moderate cases of acne. Benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, sulfur, and resorcinal are the most common of these medications. Each of these medicines work in very different ways, and are focused toward different types of acne.

Benzoyl peroxide breaks down these areas of acne irritation, and can also reduce oil production. Salicylic acid, resorcinol, and sulfur break down on the more tame blackheads and whiteheads. Among these, however, salicylic acid has the bonus helps reduce chances for acne to manifest, as it cuts down on the shedding of cells long the follicles of the oil glands.

Of course, these types of medication are for mild acne. Adult acne prescription medication can of course be far more effective, if it is needed. For adult acne medication, physicians may prescribe some form of retinoid. A retinoid medication is a regulator of epithelial cell growth…that is, cells on the outside of the body. Since a topical retinoid will generally result in a lot of new skin, it’s frequently used (and misused) as a wrinkle reducer, which can certainly be dangerous. As side effects such as permanent dryness and peeling can occur, this is a medication that is best left to adults. Used properly, however, retinoids can help one get control over their skin with relative ease.

Retin-A is one of the most well-known of topical retinoid prescription medications. Retin-A opens up clogged pores, allowing medication to enter the hair follicle shaft and fight underlying infections. There can be side effects, however, and that is why prescription topical retinoids should be considered adult acne medication.

Recommendations

The biggest difficulty in getting advice on back acne is the back’s difficult location. However, with diligence and perhaps a bit of assistance, all known treatments of acne will work quite well on the back. In the event of cystic acne, however, always consult a dermatologist.

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