Acne is a skin problem that is often complained about because it is very annoying. Acne can appear anywhere, including in hard-to-reach areas of the body such as the back.

You can have acne only in the shoulder or upper back area, or acne can be all over your back to your waist. The acne that appears can look like red bumps, whiteheads or blackheads. Acne on the back can be painful and appear in clusters.

Causes of Back Acne

Just like acne that appears on other areas of the skin, back acne most often occurs when dirt, oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria clog the skin pores. When sweat is trapped under clothing during exercise or strenuous activity, the clothing rubs against the sweaty skin and can cause acne or worsen existing acne conditions.

In addition, there are several other factors that can cause back acne. including:

Genetics

Genetic factors can affect a person's predisposition to acne. If both parents have a history of severe acne, then there is a chance that you may inherit this tendency as a teenager or adult. Parents can also pass on hormonal conditions that make you prone to acne or pass on a strong inflammatory response to acne-causing bacteria.

Hormonals

Hormonal fluctuations can have an effect on many things, including the skin. Hormonal changes that occur during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause can trigger an increase in sebum production, which in turn leads to clogged pores and acne.

Stress and anxiety

Stress does not directly cause acne, but severe stress can trigger an increase in the hormone cortisol. One of the effects of increased cortisol levels is to stimulate the oil glands in the skin to produce more sebum. With more sebum, the skin pores become more easily clogged, making problems such as blackheads, acne, and skin inflammation more likely. Stress and anxiety can also aggravate existing acne.

Skin care products

Some skincare products contain ingredients that can clog pores, such as mineral oil, paraffin and some types of wax. In addition, chemicals containing fragrances can also irritate the skin and trigger allergic reactions. These allergic reactions can cause inflammation and aggravate acne.

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How to Prevent Back Acne

You may not be able to completely prevent back acne, in some cases, back acne is more stubborn. However, there are some things you can do to reduce the risk of acne and suppress the growth of back acne, including:

Changing clothes after sweating

After exercising or doing strenuous activities, the body will generally sweat a lot. Clothes that are wet with sweat and left on the skin can worsen the skin condition.

Replace clothes with clean clothes made from sweat-absorbing materials such as cotton. This way, your body's hygiene will be maintained and your skin will not experience irritation that triggers acne. It's also a good idea to wash your workout clothes every time you wear them. You are also advised to shower immediately after exercising.

Limiting the use of tools that rub against the back

Sports equipment or backpacks can cause excessive friction or pressure on the skin of the back. This repetitive friction can trigger irritation and be one of the causes of acne.

Pay attention to the exercise equipment used. Minimize weights that are too heavy to prevent excessive pressure and friction on the back skin that can trigger acne.

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Choosing non-comedogenic products

Non-comedogenic products are specifically designed not to cause clogging in skin pores and reduce the risk of blackheads or acne.

Managing stress

Severe stress can increase excessive oil production, which clogs pores and triggers acne breakouts. Manage stress well through positive stress management such as meditation, yoga, breathing exercises, or taking up a fun hobby to help lower your stress levels.

Managing stress not only reduces the risk of back acne but also maintains mental and emotional health.

Stubborn back acne can be treated with limited over-the-counter drugs containing benzoyl peroxide. However, if the results do not improve, then you should consult a dermatologist or consult your complaint by using the health consultation service through the Ai Care application which can be downloaded on the App Store or Play Store.

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