While the majority of the coverage and attention surrounding acne focuses on the face, the skin condition is not limited to the skin above the neck. Body acne is both common and treatable, whether you have it seasonally in the hot, humid summer months or chronically. Once you've determined the type of acne you're dealing with, you can treat it properly with the help of a dermatologist. Aside from that, there are preventative lifestyle changes you can make to help keep breakouts at bay. Here's a rundown of everything you need to know about body acne.

What Causes Acne on the Body?

Acne of any kind develops when the hair follicles in the dermis become clogged. Excess oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria can all contribute to it (propionibacterium acnes). It should come as no surprise that the areas where acne is most common, such as the face, back, and chest, have the most sebaceous or oil glands.

Breakouts below the neck are most common on the chest, upper back, underarms, and buttocks. While body acne can occur at any time, both intrinsic factors such as genetics, hormones, and so on, as well as extrinsic factors such as climate, diet, exercise, and so on, play a role.

The upper back, for example, is prone to acne not only because it contains a high number of oil glands, but also because it is a difficult-to-reach area. The back is notorious for being a difficult area to clean and scrub, resulting in extreme buildup.

How to Treat the Most Common Types of Acne on the Body

To understand how to treat your body acne properly, you must first be able to identify the type of acne you have. In the same way that inflammatory and non-inflammatory breakouts can occur on the face, there are different treatment protocols for each.

1. COMEDONAL ACNE 

Comedonal acne is a type of non-inflammatory acne that appears as small, mild bumps that do not swell. The most common types of comedones are whiteheads (closed comedones) and blackheads (open comedones). The former happens when the pore closes on top of a buildup of sebum and dead skin cells, resulting in a small bump, whereas the latter happens when the pore remains open despite being clogged with excess oil and dead skin cells, resulting in a dark-colored spot on the skin's surface.

Treatment

The goal of treating comedonal acne is to increase cellular turnover in order to unclog your pores. The first line of defense is to use a body wash that contains alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) (BHAs). If you needed another reason to use retinol, the superhero active can be used on the body to increase skin cell turnover and decrease oil gland production.

2. INFLAMMATORY ACNE 

Inflammatory acne is characterized by lesions that are red, swollen, and occasionally tender. While cystic and nodular acne are technically included, we're focusing on papules and pustules. Papules are small, tender red or pink bumps, whereas pustules (pimples) form similarly to papules but are infected and thus filled with pus. These have a red base and a white or yellow tip.

Treatment

Inflammatory acne may necessitate professional treatment depending on the severity of the lesions. An oral antibiotic for a few weeks. The type of medication and the length of time it is taken varies from patient to patient. Some topical skincare products that are used to treat comedonal acne may also help to reduce oil production and reduce inflammation. Your dermatologist can assist you in developing a comprehensive treatment plan.

3. NODULOCYSTIC TRUNCAL ACNE 

Nodulocystic truncal acne, also known as cystic acne, is usually severe and can cause emotional distress as well as deeper scarring. Cysts are pus-filled, inflammatory lesions that form deep within the skin and manifest as red or white bumps on the surface. Meanwhile, nodules are more severe cysts that form when clogged pores become irritated and deepen. Oil gland stimulation and bacteria are involved, but there is frequently a genetic component as well. The term ‘truncal' refers to the areas of the body (chest and back) where this type of nodulocystic acne most commonly appears.

Treatment

Isotretinoin (Accutane) is the most commonly used treatment for cystic acne on the face and body. It is the closest thing to a 'cure' for acne because it targets the oil glands by shrinking their size and decreasing oil production. The oral prescription must be taken for four to six months and blood work must be done on a regular basis. Your dermatologist will evaluate your case to see if you are a candidate.

Changes in Lifestyle to Prevent Body Acne

The best way to treat body acne, as with any breakout, is to prevent it from occurring in the first place. Before consulting a dermatologist, you can try these lifestyle changes to see if your skin improves.

Reduce your stress.

Drink a lot of water.

Sweaty clothing should be removed as soon as possible.

Wear cotton shirts to the gym to allow your skin to breathe.

After working out, take a shower right away.

To help reduce systemic inflammation, avoid dairy, gluten, and refined sugar.

While not all types of body acne will go away on their own, the tips above are beneficial to your overall health and well-being regardless of your skin type.

Call 9930993600 to book your consultation with Dr Niketa Sonavane

Best Skin Specialist in Mumbai