Fight Body Acne
Acne doesn’t just strike the face and neck. It also breaks out on the chest, back, shoulders and rear end. These are the most common “other” areas of the body where acne can breakout because these are also the areas of the skin that have the most oil glands (sebaceous oil glands). Those are the tiny, tiny glands that are at the heart of any acne eruption.
To understand how to get rid of body acne, you must first understand its causes – and that means understanding how the sebaceous glands work. You see, the sebaceous glands in the skin are responsible for keeping the skin moist and flexible. To do that they secrete a substance called “sebum,” which is oily in nature. When your skin is working at its best, these glands are pumping out just the right amount of lubrication but when your skin isn’t at its best or when these glands go into hyper-drive, you become prone to acne breakouts. And body acne can be just as common as facial acne.
Body acne has a different psychological effect on some people when compared to facial acne. Pimples or blackheads that breakout on the face are much more noticeable than those that breakout on the body. So for some, body acne isn’t even a bother – out of sight, out of mind and all that. But for others it’s a major emotional crash. They never feel like they can get ahead of the game – they work to clear up their face only to have their back erupt. Pimples on back, shoulders, or arms are every bit as bothersome as the face. Sometimes it just seems like too much.
But how do you get rid of body acne? Do you approach it the same way as with facial acne?
Treating body acne can be difficult. Body acne and especially adult body acne is a little more difficult to control than the facial variety. The face and neck usually remain exposed throughout the day and night which makes them available for acne treatments (washes, cleansers, etc.). But acne on your body isn’t so easy to care for. Your body is usually covered in clothing all day so you can’t (usually) shower or wash multiple times a day. Nor can you apply body acne cleansers or treatments multiple times a day either. Body acne treatments are simply just more difficult to do.
Our clothes too can play a big part in contributing to our body blemish woes. Rough clothing that irritates the skin won’t ease your acne problems. Tight-fitting outfits won’t either. Too much clothing will lead to sweating and that will contribute to body breakouts as well. And allergies to particular fabrics will only aggravate matters.
It’s best to wear clothing that fits comfortably and probably a little loosely. Natural fabrics are almost always the best choices for your skin too. Cotton in particular “plays” well with your skin allowing it to breathe and that means your pores are breathing too.
Some body acne sufferers have had a modicum of success with changing clothes once or twice during the day. This doesn’t mean changing your entire outfit but if you suffer from back acne, changing your t-shirt during the day could have a real positive effect. Also, changing your sleep-wear more than once a week (or your bed linens) could help your body acne improve a bit too.
But the most gain you’ll be able to make on your body acne is by starting up and sticking to a simple personal hygiene routine. Showering is a must, at least once a day, no baths please. And those showers need to be complete; they don’t have to be super long, just complete. That means you must wash off all the accumulated skin oils and perspiration of the day every time you shower.
A good solid body acne wash or body acne cleanser should do the trick; something that works well with your own skin chemistry. You may have to try a few out before you settle on one that feels right, so be patient. You’re looking for a body acne product that leaves your skin feeling clean; maybe a little “squeaky” clean. You don’t want something that leaves behind its own film or residue.
Next you’ll want a body acne cream or gel to apply to your problem areas. Again, you might have to experiment with a few before you find one that works for you. It needs to be strong enough to have some “staying power” so that it lasts a good portion of the day. But also, and most importantly, you’ll want a product that won’t stain your clothing. Remember the chemicals in any body acne treatment are mostly acidic (Salicylic Acid and Benzoyl Peroxide). Plus there are a lot of other chemicals thrown into the formula for other reasons. They may not like your favorite blue shirt as much as you do – so be careful. You want to control and beat your body acne not buy a new wardrobe.
There are of course other acne treatment options you can use to help control your acne (all your acne, not just your body acne). Things like eating nourishing meals, watching and reducing your stress, and getting enough sleep will help your skin in many ways. Basically, anything that you can do to lead a more well-rounded, balanced, and relaxed life will have positive effects on your skin and so too will help your acne.
So stay sharp and don’t give up. You can put together a smart body acne treatment plan, fight your body acne, and win.
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