Back Acne

By: Dr. Loretta Lanphier, ND, CN, HHP, CH

Back acne, or "bacne" as it is sometimes called, is a common skin disorder that can affect people of all ages, races, and cultures. Back acne, as the name implies, occurs mostly on the back and sometimes on the buttocks. It is typified by blemishes such as whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, pustules, or cysts. Severe back acne, such as cystic acne, can result in large, painful blemishes. Cystic back acne can also produce permanent scarring.

What Causes Back Acne?

As with acne found on other locations of the body, back acne is caused by various factors. The main trigger that leads to back acne is the same one that causes most cases of all types of acne: hormonal imbalances. At puberty, the oil-producing glands of the skin (sebaceous glands) are stimulated to increase their oil production by a hormone called androgen. Basically, puberty stimulates androgens (in both genders), and androgens stimulate oil (sebum) production.

Certain amounts of sebum are needed to lubricate and protect the skin. However, too much sebum can lead to clogged oil glands. As oil accumulates under the skin, bacterial infections may occur that generate the inflamed, reddened blemishes that are the hallmark of acne. Other issues can aggravate back acne, such as tight clothes, synthetic clothing/dyes or heavy purses or backpacks, but they technically do not cause it.

Blemishes that appear near the skin's surface are known as pustules. Deeper blemishes are called papules or pimples. The deepest and most severe lesions are called cysts.

Back Acne Myths

There are many myths and half-truths that are commonly believed regarding the causes of "bacne." Let's take a look at the facts by dispelling some of these misconceptions.

Genes: Except for very severe cases, which sometimes run in families, back acne is not an inherited condition. If it were, you would have to say that almost everyone has it in their genes, since it is so pervasive.

Food: Greasy foods, fried foods, pizza, chocolate, and junk foods do not directly cause back acne. However, diet does play an important role in your overall health and that of your skin. The bottom line is that eating well will nourish your skin, and eating junk will cause it to become under-nourished.

Stress: Stress is not a direct cause in the formation of back acne. However, emotionally stressed people can sometimes develop nervous habits, such as picking at their skin, that may not cause acne, but will definitely aggravate existing conditions.

Treating Back Acne

Mild cases of back acne or the intermittent flare-up of symptoms can be treated at home through proper hygiene, clothing changes, and organic natural back acne preparations. However, severe forms of back acne, such as cystic acne, can result in painful lesions and potential scars. These types of back acne must be treated by a skin care professional.

Home Treatment of Back Acne

There are several steps you can take to treat and prevent back acne:

Back Acne and Exercise: Back acne is very common amongst athletes and others who work out regularly. One of the key things you can do to minimize back acne is to be sure your back is as clean as possible, especially after exercising. Change your clothes as soon as you are finished working out. This will help reduce the presence of bacteria on your back. People who struggle with chronic back acne should change shirts twice a day, whether they have worked up a sweat or not. Make sure that your detergent is all-natural and as chemical-free as possible.

Cleansing The Back: When you wash your back, try utilizing a loofah sponge or other exfoliant to help gently rid the skin of any dead cells that may clog your pores. Be sure to thoroughly cleanse your back, but don't scrub roughly as this will increase inflammation and only worsen the acne. Make sure you dry your back well using a clean all-cotton towel, as this will discourage the build-up of bacteria.

Applying Back Acne Preparations: It is best to cleanse your back with a natural, organic product made especially for back acne. Avoid anything that lists benzoyl peroxide on the ingredient label, as this substance can damage your skin (and your clothing) even long after it has dried.

Special Considerations: Wear loose-fitting, comfortable, cotton clothing that will not irritate your skin and will give it room to breathe. Also avoid heavy shoulder bags and backpacks that can irritate the skin on your back and shoulders.

About the Author

Loretta Lanphier, ND, CN, HHP, CH is a Doctor of Naturopath, Clinical Nutritionist, Holistic Health Practitioner and Clinical Herbalist in Houston, TX and Founder / CEO of Oasis Advanced Wellness. Under her leadership, Oasis Advanced Wellness is known and respected as one of the leading companies in providing safe and clean hi-tech natural health and wellness solutions. Because of the need for high-end natural and organic skin care products, Dr. Lanphier has developed Lanique Organics, an all-natural skin-care line which promotes natural health for the skin. All Lanique and OAW developed products are free of toxic ingredients, excipients and preservatives and are certified organic, organic, wild crafted or of the highest purity and quality that we can obtain while still providing the utmost degree of active ingredients. All product batches are laboratory tested to ensure that you are getting exactly what the label states. We will never knowingly compromise health in order to provide a cheaper product or to get a product out quickly. Lanphier is Editor and contributor to the worldwide Free E-newsletter Advanced Health & Wellness. We invite you to visit us at Oasis Advanced Wellness, the PMS-Progesterone-Menopause Resource Center, the Acne Resource Center, the Skin Care Resource Center, the Glyconutrient Resource Center, the Allergy-Asthma-Sinus Relief Resource Center and www.oasisserene.com