Acne doesn’t only affect the skin on our faces. Knowing how to get rid of back acne isn’t the same as your regular acne, despite having the same causes. While breakouts are just as common on the back and neck as on the face, bacne comes with its own specific set of challenges.
Put simply, stress and blocked pores can show up anywhere on the body but especially as ‘bacne’, otherwise known as back acne. This is because the upper torso has more oil-producing glands than elsewhere on the body, making it a finicky beast when it comes to lifestyle and beauty habits as well as skincare choices.
There’s no blanket approach to treat bumps and, in a strange twist of fate, just because you get spots on the face doesn’t automatically mean you will also get body acne. According to cosmetic dermatologist Dr Sam Bunting, only 15% of people who get facial acne will also suffer from body acne.
No wonder bacne is so shrouded in mystery. We know what to do if our acne is hormonal, the specific ingredients to incorporate into our regimes, and the treatments to tackle acne scarring. But when it comes to our backs, it’s a problem we tend to ignore for most of the year – that is, until the warmer months roll around and we start reaching for those off-the-shoulder outfits and strappy summer dresses.
Really though, we shouldn’t be waiting to treat bacne or simply covering it up with a jumper during the winter months. Neglecting the condition will only make it harder to treat in the long run, so it’s much better to tackle is head on as soon as you notice it starting to pop up.
The good news is, simple tweaks to our daily personal care routines can make a huge difference and they’re much easier to implement than you think. So, if you’re keen to know how to get rid of back acne once and for all, here’s what you need to know according to the skincare experts.
What is ‘bacne’ or back acne?
Bacne is acne that occurs (yep, you guessed it) on your upper back and shoulders, since these areas contain the most sebaceous glands. It is exceptionally common and can appear as bumps, whiteheads or blackheads as well as more severe cystic acne. Due to the much larger surface area, you may experience a lot more spots across the entire area – which can be extremely painful – or it may be concentrated in specific places like around your shoulders or down at your lower back. Wherever it might be, almost any spots appearing there will be bacne.
What causes bacne?
Back acne develops in the same way as spots on the face. “Excess sebum production combined with the build-up of dead skin cell, and bacteria can result in blocked pores,” says dermatologist Dr Justine Kluk. “The skin on our backs is extremely thick so the potential for this happening is very high.”
“The accumulation of oil and dead skin cells in our pores creates an ideal environment for a particular bacterium called ‘propionibacterium’ acne to thrive,” she continues. “This triggers inflammation in the skin leading to angry red bumps and pus-filled spots.”
Bacne can also be caused by:
Changes in hormones
If you’re pregnant or going through puberty you are more likely to get bacne and acne breakouts.
Excessive sweating
“Body acne is more probable during the summer, if you work out regularly and if your skin is already acne-prone,” says Julie Morris, an aesthetic nurse at Effortless Skin. Sweat can get trapped between your skin and your clothing. When it does, your pores can get clogged because the bacteria that causes acne thrives in moist, damp conditions. So keeping your sweaty sports gear on for hours creates the perfect storm.
