There is no denying that the backless trend is back in full swing. We say, go for it! But if baring your back makes you conscious about your breakouts or scars, don’t fret, that’s also normal. Back acne, aka bacne, occurs when dirt, grime, sebum, sweat and dead skin cells get accumulated. This serves as a breeding ground for bacteria, and the result is acne. To understand the causes and treatment better, we reached out to Dr Kiran Sethi, dermatologist and founder of Delhi-based skincare clinic Isya Derm…
Causes of bacne
Dandruff: “If your scalp is prone to flaking and dandruff, you’re bound to get bacne,” explains Dr Sethi. She recommends consulting a dermatologist if your pimples are big or painful as these can leave behind scars.
Genetics: The amount of oil that your skin produces is largely responsible for acne, and this factor can be hereditary. A 2002 study affiliated with St. Thomas’ Hospital in the UK involving 400 pairs of twins found that 81 per cent of acne was due to genetic factors.
Improper hygiene: If you tend to skip washing your back, you will end up breaking out. Similarly, take a close look at your post-workout schedule. Do you get out of your sweaty clothes immediately? If not, that could be a culprit too. Make sure you shower as soon as possible after exercising to get rid of all the sweat and dirt that could be clogging your pores.
Hormonal changes: Your hormones play a huge part in your skin health. They control the oil production and hydration levels of the skin, so naturally, if they’re in a frenzy, your skin will be greasier.
The residue left behind by haircare products: Are you guilty of applying conditioner and tossing your hair over your shoulder? Well, you can continue doing that as long as you make sure you use a body wash after you’re done with your haircare routine. Conditioners and masks tend to be on the oilier side and these formulas can seriously clog pores, leading to acne.
Hair removal: “Waxing your back can also cause inflammation and acne,” says Dr Sethi. These small red bumps usually resolve themselves but in case they don’t, don’t hesitate to reach out to a medical professional.
Preventing and treating bacne
Check your protein powder: “In some cases, whey or casein can act as triggers and cause breakouts,” says Dr Sethi. In case you’re dairy-sensitive, take a good long look at the ingredient list on your protein powder bottle.
Be gentle: Picking on your skin is never, ever, going to help reduce acne so just try to avoid doing it. It just injures the skin and causes scarring that may or may not fade over time. Even when you’re wiping your body dry after a shower, make sure you dab the area instead of scrubbing it. Steer clear of physical scrubs and loofahs as there can make inflammation worse.
Use the right products: Like acne anywhere else on your body, using the correct products can go a long way. To balance oily skin, use formulas that have a pH of 5.5. This is the skin’s ideal level and maintaining it is key to keeping it healthy. Anything too harsh (2.5 or lesser) will strip the natural oils from your back, leaving it tight, dry, and more prone to oiliness. Look for ingredients like salicylic acid-, benzoyl peroxide, and sulphur-spiked body washes as these dissolve the dirt and grime in pores, unclogging them.
Wear lightweight fabrics: Wearing synthetic fabrics can trap heat and sweat on the body, making it the perfect condition for bacteria to thrive in.
Moisturise: These anti-acne body washes can dry out the acne so it is essential to moisturise skin so cells can turnover, instead of dying and clogging pores.
Exfoliate skin: Using a glycolic acid body wash once or twice a week can help reduces acne scarring as it removes the layer of dead skin cells efficiently.