Author: Geoff R Hopkins
Source: ezinearticles.com

Back acne (referred to as Bacne) is a more hidden problem than facial acne, but it can be just as distressing. Cysts (which are under the skin) can be painful, and the pimples, blackheads and pustules that are part of bacne are unsightly as well as itchy/painful. The problems are not restricted to the back region either – for many, the bacne extends to the upper arms and the buttocks.

First, the cause – there is no single scientific explanation for what causes bacne; much the same story as trying to understand the cause of acne on other parts of the body. The most helpful information in identifying a general cause for bacne is that when the sebum-producing sebaceous glands start functioning around the time of puberty, the resultant output of sebum (the skin’s natural oil) is, for some,too much for the body to cope with. The pores and hair follicles on the back can’t move the sebum through, it hardens and forms a plug that clogs the pores, and the clogged areas then attract bacteria. That, plus the normal process of shedding dead skin cells, and the additional sebum that is building up behind the plug, form the infection.

It’s more common in men than in women.

Contrary to some reports, the primary cause of bacne is not stress, oily/fatty foods, excessive sweating,tight clothing or heavy backpacks. As with all health issues, it makes good sense to adopt a holistic approach, and therefore reducing stress and having a healthy diet will be beneficial, but that won’t ‘cure’ the bacne. Bacne is sometimes an inherited condition, but that information doesn’t assist much with the solution either.

The management of sweat needs special attention…while it’s not the cause of bacne per se, what’s clear is that the removal of sweat after any robust activity will keep the pores cleaner than leaving the sweat to dry…doing this will help to alleviate the condition, but won’t cure it.

Similarly, removing the excess dead skin cells (we all produce them!!) as quickly as possible will also help to lessen the severity of the bacne. Usinga mild exfoliate (purchased over-the-counter from a drug store) in the shower each day is the best way to do this – ideally, because of the difficulty of reaching your own back area, you’ll have a partner/family member who can assist you with the exfoliation. Somebody else working the exfoliant right to where it’s needed is the most effective way, even if it’s just once a week. You can use a back scrubber if you don’t have the ‘co-operative other’ required for the task at other times (or it may be your only option). It’s not as good, but it’s better than doing nothing at all. I emphasized using amild cleanser – please don’t be tempted to whip your bacne into shape with an ‘industrial strength’ alternative…more is not better. Harsh or abrasive cleaners are likely to irritate or inflame the skin, and you’ll make things worse rather than better.

Do not use regular soap – the mild exfoliate will do the job of cleaning…simply use an anti-bacterial cleanser that has been formulated for the face. Cetaphil is one example of that.

The same level of care needs to be applied once you’re out of the shower – gently towel-dab the back and shoulder area (and the buttocks and backs of the arms if they are affected) until fully dry, preferably using a clean towel each time if you can keep up with the laundry. Then apply one of the acne gels or creams that include an antibacterial agent – one with a 10 percent benzoyl peroxide content is regarded as good practice, and you can easily get advice on that at the drug store counter or with a prescription from your doctor. Let the gel/cream dry if possible before putting clothing against the skin.

Keeping the affected areas free of bacteria and perspiration is critical (as they aggravate the condition), so don’t re-wear clothes that you’ve had on during a previous sweaty activity (such as the gym; running; gardening etc.), at least until you’ve given that clothing a thorough wash and dried it completely.

Time at the gym or being involved in other exercise needs special attention – your body heats up with exercise, and the blood flow rate increases; both of these heighten the production of sebum i.e. the activitiesexacerbate the problem that you’re trying to solve. The best advice is as follows – put a clean towel down on any exercise machines you need to lie on…this not only absorbs some of your own sweat, but it prevents you inadvertently picking up other people’s sweat & bacteria. Always have a shower after a workout (see the advice above about showering), and if you’re heading to the sauna (steam room), take a shower first to get rid of dirt and bacteria…remember, no regular soap on the affected areas.If you’re a female with bacne, always wear a clean bra when working out i.e. avoid the possibility of having dried sweat from a previous session touching your skin.

Back acne can be tough to treat. The recommendations in this article are for short-term treatment of a few weeks to a couple of months. If you are doing everything you should, and the bacne is not going away, then it’s resistant to treatment and you’ll need to notch things up. Or, if you simply haven’t been as disciplined as you need to be about adopting the recommended home-help steps, then I’d recommend the same shift of gear…it’s time to seek out a doctor and/or dermatologist in your area. This applies particularly if you have the deep-seated cysts – they are more likely to need the sort of intervention that you can only get with a medical specialist. Shifting to oral antibiotics might be recommended, and my recommendation is that you only follow that pathway with expert help – oral medications have some nasty side-effects with some people, and close monitoring is recommended.

Geoff Hopkins is a researcher who provides straight and honest information to help people find the best way to solve their acne skin problems.

http://www.acne-scar-cream.com You can’t trust the wild claims, because we still have snake-oil salesmen!!