Body Acne

Like facial acne, body acne is so common among adults and teens.  It usually shows up on the upper chest, back, and buttocks, and is caused by several factors like stress and hormones.  Of the various factors that trigger the formation and development of body acne, perspiration as well as tight fitting clothing is considered by many as two of the most common culprits of body acne, which then somehow explains why most of the many physically active women are bothered by body acne.

Speaking of tight fitting clothing, most of the experts have noted that tight fitting clothing like lycra leggings basically trap perspiration against the skin, which in turn mixes with the surface oils.  If this happens, it will then result in a film that clogs the pores and causes the formation of some blotches ranging from whiteheads to blackheads and to inflamed papules and pustules, a sign of severe body acne.

The treatments for body acne are just the same as to that of facial acne.  However, certain findings have shown that body acne tends to be more resistant to treatment for the reason that it is difficult to reach.  Aside from that, body skin is much thicker than the facial skin, and with body acne, the blotches and lesions are constantly exposed to friction from those tight fitting clothing. 

To care for your body acne, you must then wash the affected areas with salicylic acid-based cleanser and just make sure that you shower as early as possible after perspiring.  Some of the experts also suggest wiping the affected areas with a benzoyl peroxide, a well-known treatment for body acne, or salicylic acid pad and follow with an alpha hydroxyl acid-based body moisturizer.  The moisturizer will then help exfoliate your skin while preventing it from drying out.   And, you try to apply a salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide spot treatment on the individual pimples at night for this may also help to reduce and prevent body acne from forming and spreading.

Today, most of the experts recommend the body acne patients to use a topical retinoid for severe body acne.  A concrete example of this body acne treatment is the Retin-A.  There is also a number of oral antibiotics like the tetracycline and minocycline that are deemed effective for the treatment of acne that most doctors prescribed them although it typically take anywhere from a week to a couple of months before you can see the outputs.  And, Accutane is there, considered as the last resort for treating body acne.  This medicine is usually prescribed in higher dosages than for facial acne, and should only be taken if necessary.