A Look at Back Acne And Things You Can Do About It

Acne is a common problem for both teenagers and adults and the most common perception of the condition is that it occurs on the face. But, if you suffer from acne you know that it can appear in other areas of the body as well such as the chest and the back.

Although back and chest acne is not so obvious to the outside observer it can nevertheless be extremely annoying for those suffering from it. Unfortunately, chest and back acne is often harder to treat than the acne that you have on your face and traditional treatments and cleansers which you purchase for the treatment of facial acne are generally not as effective when it comes to back acne treatment. And, since your back and chest are normally covered by clothing, you might experience greater irritation as your clothes rub against your acne.

Just as you do with your facial acne you will have to have a daily treatment regimen for acne on your back and the majority of common regimens include a cleanser to be followed by a moisturizer. Often, it is harder to apply medication to your back acne simply because of where it is located and so you might require the help of a family member or to use a special lotion applicator.

You will have to take care over the sort of clothes that you wear. Tight-fitting shirts or rough material can rub against your skin and irritate your spots resulting in greater oil production and thus more breakouts. You also have to be careful about the type of detergent and fabric softener you use. Sometimes detergents and fabric softeners will irritate your back acne and you might need to try different brands or change to a dye and fragrance free variety.

Watch what you carry anything on you back. For teenagers in school, as well as those people who do a lot of backpacking and hiking, a backpack can make back acne considerably worse. If you see a rise in the number of acne breakouts you may want to stop carrying a backpack for a time. If this is a problem then a shoulder bag can help in the interim.

A doctor or dermatologist can be a great help with both diagnosis and treatment of your acne and will be able to start by determining how bad your acne is and assessing your skin type. For example, whether your skin is dry or oily or what is called a combination skin plays an important part deciding upon the best treatment. Your doctor or dermatologist will also want to have a history of your acne condition, including such as how long you have had it and how frequently breakouts happen.  With this information he or she can work out the best treatment and the best acne medicine to clear up your particular case of acne.

Is There An Acne And Hormone Connection?

 

Acne and its development is said to have a close connection with changes in hormones. High levels of the androgen and testosterone hormones present in the body have been found in people suffering from acne and who often have oily ski. Because of this a sort of Yin and Yang phenomenon, a balance of androgen and estrogen, is thought to be required to maintain healthy skin. As hormonal imbalances occur, acne tends to develop.

The belief that there is a connection between acne and hormones holds that acne  often starts around the age of 19 to 24, thus it can start with teens but also affect mature adults. At this stage, people will typically get lesions on the lower face, primarily in the chin as well as jaw line. Although acne mainly occurs on the face, it appears on the chest and back too. 

The acne and hormones connection further holds the idea that acne typically starts to appear when the body starts to produce androgen hormones. It is basically the androgens that incite the sebaceous glands to enlarge and emit sebum. Sebum builds up in the follicle and then gets pushed up the hair shaft until it reaches the exterior of the skin. With this movement the sebum then blends with bacteria which cause the hair follicle to get blocked. Acne is then develops as a result of this bacteria breeding ground.

It is worth noting that hormones basically regulate every function of the body. As you may know, sleep, growth and other related body functions largely depend upon your hormones. As stated earlier, certain problems like acne may arise when your hormones are out of balance.With hormonal balance there is less chance for acne to emerge. 

The connection between acne and hormones also explains the occurrence of acne in teens as well as in adults. In teens, it is commonly noted that during the onset of puberty, androgen is produced which holds a major role in the development of acne. The acne and hormones connection is most noticed in mature women during their menstrual cycle. It has been noted in certain studies that acne that worsens during a woman’s monthly cycle is not something that women will grow out of as they get older.

A good acne treatment should be effective at every stage of life.

Different Types of Acne Products That You Can Buy

There are many acne products on the market offering promises to make your life acne free. Advertising is geared to convince the individual that a particular product is the miracle cure, when there may be nothing to substantiate the claim. Most products offer hollow promises that leave your pockets equally empty. Acne medicine is specialized and depends on skin type, skin tone, where the breakouts occur, and if the individual has severe acne or not.

Mild to moderate acne can be controlled with a large variety of acne products, but few products can make you completely acne free. Benzoyl peroxide is one of the most common acne treatments and can be safely used by nearly anyone. Benzoyl peroxide works by killing the bacteria that causes acne while also drying your skin. Products with benzoyl peroxide can be used by people with a many different skin tones and is very effective at treating mild to moderate acne on the face.

Acne products that contain sulfur can also help people with mild to moderate acne. Sulfur is very effective because it unclogs the pores by removing dead cells while also promoting the healing process. Some sulfur products have anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory ingredients to reduce redness and swelling while further preventing acne breakouts. 

Salicylic acid is used in acne products as an exfoliating agent. However, salicylic acid is very strong and is not recommended for use on the face or other areas with sensitive skin. It is commonly used to treat and prevent breakouts of back acne, and other acne on the body.

Acne products available on the market today may not clear up acne completely, but these products will help. The best thing you could do is learn proper skin care, as this will be your best defense against future outbreaks. There is no single miracle product for severe acne, but if you use the right products in combination with the proper amount of basic skin care, you will stand a better chance of preventing future acne outbreaks.

How important is a healthy diet to preventing acne?

It is no coincidence that people who eat healthy food tend to have skin that shines and glows. In contrast, think of someone you know who eats nothing but junk food. It is likely that they have some issues with acne. Experts agree that a good, healthy diet can go a long way towards either preventing acne or helping diminish it. The Chinese believe, and have been widely accepted in their belief, that acne is solely attributed to a poor diet. They claim that too much sugar or grease leads to the potential for acne. Thus, they discourage the consumption of excessive amounts of chocolate and fried foods. Fruits and vegetables are generally considered better for the skin and a deterrent to acne. Another factor known to eliminate acne is continual drinking of water. Drinking plenty of it is your best bet to avoid acne.      

What else can help prevent or treat acne?

People have tried nearly everything to reduce the effects of acne. Some methods have had more success than others. Because acne is the result of chemical reactions within the body, it is widely believed that keeping consistent levels of hormonal activity is a good way to avoid acne. Avoiding stress or extreme levels of sexual activity has been known to lessen the effects of acne, if not prevent it altogether.

Once acne occurs, exfoliation of the skin can reduce its effects. Several over-the-counter medications exist, but their value is continually in question. As with all medications, a doctor should always be consulted before trying something new to rid yourself of acne. Short bursts of cortisone sometimes help reduce the swelling that comes from acne, but they do nothing for the bacteria gathering beneath the surface of the skin. To date, there is no miracle cure for acne, but trying different combinations of solutions may help ease the problem.

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