How to get rid of bacne fast!

What is Bacne?

Pimples can become a huge stress to deal with and quite a challenge to get rid of, no matter where you get them whether it’s on your thighs, forearms, face, chest or a part of the body that’s not usually visible to the public, i.e., on your back.

Not to worry! As an experienced warrior against back acne, I will make sure to equip and train you with the right strategies and equipment in the war against the red devil. (Devil - not as scary as the real devil - but in their likeability because the amount of hate the devil and acne get is almost the same).

So, what is back acne? (better known as “bacne”) Bacne is derived from the words “back” and “acne”; in other words, the acne that forms on your back. Although it can appear on any part of your body, it is more commonly found on the face, back, forearms and chest. Why does acne form on your back? (or anywhere else as a matter of fact). The glands of human body produce an oil called sebum, which is, in fact, a group of oils. Normal sebum includes triglycerides, wax esters, cholesterol, and other compounds.

What does sebum do?

Sebaceous glands open hair follicles while sebum lubricates and moisturises the hair and skin. Acne can pop up if there is an excess of sebum in combination with dead skin cells, pollution, and irritants.

But that isn’t the only reason. Some other causes of bacne include:

1. Medications: 

Medicines tend to disturb our skin’s natural pH and texture, also disturbing sebum production which can trigger acne. You will find it listed as a side effect of some medicines.

2. Genetics: 

Yes, genetics play a role in predicting the number of red bumps on your face. Chances are if your grandfather and your father had it (or mother), you might have inherited acne as a family heirloom. In this case, you might have to stay consistent with your treatment as it may come back from time to time. But it’s not a curse, we promise!

3. Hormones: 

No, hormones don’t just fluctuate during the female menstrual cycle. An imbalance could occur at any stage of life and due to various reasons. This imbalance, in turn, triggers acne, which is why you often see younger people (teenagers) with red battle scars all over their faces or bodies since natural hormonal imbalance is typically at its peak during adolescence.

4. Leaving sweat on the face/body for extended periods of time: 

Sweating isn’t a problem. In fact, it has beneficial properties for the skin. It cools, moisturises and disinfects the skin against bacteria. It also has a unique anti-aging effect. The problem is leaving it on your skin for extended periods. Sweating under your clothes for long periods of time and not drying it up and showering afterwards will suffocate your skin and clog pores. You can be sure to expect acne to form as a result.

5. Stress: 

An underrated and often ignored cause, stress can also be a contributing factor to forming bacne. And yes, this also includes bacne stress itself.

How do we control bacne?

Bacne is usually harmless and can be alleviated with some simple lifestyle changes. For example:

->Daily showering: 

Taking a shower daily, especially showering after an intense exercise session, is a wise practice. As mentioned, letting dirt and sweat stick to your body can be one of the top contributors to welcoming bacne into your life.

Another way to combat acne is to change your clothing daily. Do not put sweaty clothes back on even if the sweat has dried. Wash clothing, disinfect and air dry in the sun before wearing again.

->Clean sheets: 

Make sure you’re changing the bedsheets at least once every two weeks during winters and once every week in summertime. In case you sweat a lot, do it even more frequently. Also, always dust your bed sheets before climbing into bed at night.

->Exfoliation:

Exfoliating skincare products can really help with managing bacne. We recommend mild body washes and lotions containing AHA and BHA (chemical exfoliants). These help to gently exfoliate dead skin cells and remove excess sebum from the skin while, in turn, improving its overall texture.

Some product recommendations include:

• SOME BY MI AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Clear Body Cleanser
  This gentle and soothing body wash contains tea tree, mugwort, Centella asiatica and Houttuynia cordata extracts that help calm irritated and inflamed skin. It also contains AHA, BHA, PHA and eucalyptus extract to exfoliate and reduce the enlarged appearance of pores.
• COSRX AC Calming Solution Body Cleanser
  Another soothing body wash rich in salicylic acid (BHA), Centella asiatica and menthol. These ingredients are mild yet provide immediate relief to acne-prone skin.
• SOME BY MI AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner
  Add this 30 Days Miracle Toner to a spray bottle and use it after showering on clean skin.
• Tia’m Anti-Blemish Body Lotion Back & Chest
  This is another great product, formulated with chemical exfoliants and calamine lotion, to use in your battle against bacne or chest acne.

-> Loose fitted clothing: 

Wearing loose clothing helps reduce the chances of developing new acne. If you wear tight-fitting things throughout the day, it will trap sweat and dirt in your pores instead of letting it evaporate, promoting acne formation. The same goes for working out without a shirt on a bare floor. The sweat and dirt could potentially cause bacne problems for you.

-> Stop being a caveman: 

Another reason for acne forming on your body might be that you’re very inspired by your predecessor, Mr. Tarzan. That’s right, if you’re packing hair long enough to make wigs for three children, you might experience acne problems. More hair on your back or long hair on your head provides the perfect humid environment for acne formation.

Oil, dirt and sweat are pretty much given a steam press when covered by hair, which causes acne outbreaks. To battle this, consider washing the jungle daily and rocking a bun or going down the hippie route with a ponytail.

Also, while conditioning your hair, make sure that it does not wash down your back. As research shows, the chemicals in conditioners clog skin pores, giving birth to a whole range of skin problems.

-> Eat a balanced, healthy diet: 

The famous saying, “you are what you eat” is a 100% true, but it might be a little misunderstood when it comes to acne. Teenagers all over the world are advised by their parents to avoid oily, greasy foods during their growing years to control acne. However, studies show that this is just a myth.

So, while fried and junk food is not good for a number of reasons, it does not cause or worsen acne. On the contrary, it has been indicated that dairy products and foods high on the GI (glycaemic index) can cause an increase in blood sugar, which can trigger and worsen acne. High glycaemic foods include pasta, soft drinks, sugary food, bread, etc.

This might not hold true for everyone. Some bodies are genetically more susceptible to acne, and a diet can just land the final nail in the coffin. Such people need to keep an eye on their consumption of dairy and glycaemic foods.

And for others? Well, as a general rule of thumb, a healthy, glowing skin is only achieved by incorporating fresh fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains in your diet. And of course, drink lots of water!

Is bacne dangerous?

No, bacne is generally not dangerous. Yes, it’s annoying and occasionally painful, but it isn’t exactly a disease that brings about a significant bodily change. As noted, it can be dealt with through minor lifestyle changes and adhering to a few precautions. Cystic acne is the only type that requires proper medical care because of its size (swollen nodes), pain intensity (enough to hinder routine work), rapid spread and ability to permanently scar the body.

Conclusion

Back acne can take a toll on self-confidence and make you shy about exposing your beach bod, but that is about it. It is a treatable condition and won’t affect you in any major way. For most people, it requires a few simple lifestyle changes as described above.

In case you’ve tried the above tips and they haven’t worked for you, then consult a medical specialist! This condition is treatable!