Far from being serious or irreversible, acne on the body can cause embarrassment and discomfort. As the summer and swimsuit season approaches, here is some useful information on the situation, as well as some tips to fix it.
What causes acne on the back?
There are many causes to this phenomenon. Here are the most common:
- Genetics. Acne can be widespread within a family.
- Medication. Taking certain antidepressants, for example, can cause acne breakouts on the body.
- Hormonal changes. This is what makes acne appear mainly in adolescence. Breakouts may also be observed during other periods when hormone levels change, such as menstruation, pregnancy or menopause.
- Sweat, especially if tight clothes keep it close to the body. Sweat clogs pores and causes dust and dirt to stick to wet skin.
Not to mention two direct causes of acne: stress and nutrition. Dermatology research has shown a possible link between the appearance of acne and the consumption of carbohydrates or dairy products.
Prevention and treatment
WASH YOUR BODY ADEQUATELY
Everybody knows that acne is not a question of hygiene. It has nothing to do with how often you shower. But you may want to pay close attention to certain ingredients when purchasing your shower gel. To eliminate acne, salicylic acid is a major player and very effective. Some specialized shower gels contain up to 2% salicylic acid, which is enough to purify and treat blocked pores.
EXFOLIATE DEEPLY
The body’s pores are larger and tend to accumulate more sebum and impurities. You want to properly unclog them. This essential step allows you to remove dead skin that blocks your pores and can create blackheads or even ingrown hairs. Choose a body scrub with harder microbeads than facial scrubs, and enjoy a relaxing exfoliation two to three times a week.
TREAT WHEN NECESSARY
If, despite all your precautions, an unwelcome guest appears on your shoulders, you can soothe the inflammation and speed up the healing process with a localized gel. This product features a more concentrated treating agent and will attack the problem locally at the source, without drying out or damaging the healthy skin.