Back Acne (Bacne): What Causes It and What Actually Helps

How do you get rid of back acne that will not go away? Back acne, often called bacne, is very common. It can make people nervous about taking off their shirt at the beach, at the gym, or in photos. The good news is that most mild back acne can get better at home with the right products and a few habit changes. It just takes longer than most people expect.

What causes back acne

Back acne forms the same way face acne does. Pores get clogged with oil, dead skin, and sweat, and bacteria can then cause red bumps. Cleveland Clinic lists some common triggers:

Sweat trapped under clothes, especially after workouts.
Rubbing from tight shirts, backpacks, and sports gear.
Family history and hormone changes.
Some medicines, such as steroid medicines. Stopping some of them suddenly can be dangerous, so do not just quit.
Lotions and creams that clog pores.
Dirty sheets, towels, or workout clothes.

What helps at home

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says mild to moderate back acne often clears with two products you can buy without a prescription:

A benzoyl peroxide wash. It helps kill acne bacteria. The AAD says it works best if you leave it on your back for two to five minutes before you rinse, because skin on the back is thicker. A 5.3% wash is less likely to dry or irritate your skin, and 10% is the strongest you can buy over the counter. Rinse well, since it can bleach towels, sheets, and shirts.
Adapalene 0.1% gel. This retinoid helps unclog pores. The AAD suggests putting it on every day after a shower or at bedtime. A long handled lotion applicator makes it easier to reach your back.

Cleveland Clinic also lists salicylic acid products as another choice.

Habits that make a real difference

Shower and change soon after you sweat. If you cannot, wipe off sweat with an oil free wipe and put on a dry shirt.
Wear loose cotton or sweat wicking clothes, and wash workout clothes after each use.
Be gentle. The AAD says scrubbing, loofahs, back brushes, and harsh soaps can make acne worse.
Use oil free products labeled "non comedogenic."
Carry a bag in your hand instead of a backpack while your back heals.
Do not pick or pop. It can leave dark marks and scars.
Wash sheets and towels at least once a week.

The "wash your hair first" tip

A popular tip online says to wash and condition your hair first and clean your back last, so conditioner does not sit on your skin. Many people say it helped them. The AAD does confirm that oils in shampoos, conditioners, and styling products can clog pores, though it mostly describes this along the hairline, forehead, and back of the neck. Cleveland Clinic also notes that oil from hair can rub onto the back. The proof that this tip clears back acne by itself is thin, but it costs nothing, so it is worth a try.

When it might not be regular acne

If the bumps are small, all about the same size, itchy, and mostly on your upper back and chest, it could be fungal acne. Doctors call it Malassezia folliculitis. It comes from a yeast that lives on everyone's skin and grows more with heat, sweat, and humid weather. DermNet notes that it does not cause blackheads, which helps tell it apart from regular acne. Cleveland Clinic says the treatments are different, and antibiotics can make it worse.

When store products are not enough

The AAD says home treatment may take six to eight weeks to show results, and full clearing can take three or four months. If nothing changes after six to eight weeks, or you have deep, painful bumps, store products will not cut it, and deep bumps can scar. With the right prescription treatment, almost every kind of acne can be treated.

Clear skin also matters less in photos than most people think. If you want to see how your beach or gym photos come across, The Face They See lets people of the opposite gender rank your photos for free.

Bottom line

Most back acne is treatable. Use a benzoyl peroxide wash and leave it on for a few minutes, add adapalene, shower after you sweat, and be gentle with your skin. Give it two to three months. If the bumps itch and all look the same, it is probably fungal, and acne washes alone will not clear it.

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