If you have back acne (AKA “bacne”), you’ll know how troublesome, frustrating and sometimes painful it can be.
It can also leave you feeling insecure about your skin, even though it’s a common condition. According to the NHS, more than half of people with acne have bacne. And men are more likely to have it than women.
But there are steps you can take to help banish and prevent back acne. In this article, you’ll find out what prescription and non-prescription treatments are available. And we’ll give you some lifestyle tips to help prevent it.
What is Back Acne (“Bacne”)?
Back acne, commonly known as “bacne”, is acne that occurs on the back.
Acne can affect people of all ages. And it can occur in any area that has oil-secreting glands and hair follicles. Back acne is common because the back is a large area of acne-prone skin.
Back acne can cause problems with body image, self-esteem and anxiety. If you feel this way, consult a doctor, pharmacist or dermatologist.
What Causes Back Acne?
Bacne is caused by a combination of dead skin cells, bacteria and body oils – the same as acne anywhere else on the body.
Excess dead skin mixes with an excess of natural body oils and some of the natural bacteria on the skin. This blocks your pores, which then form into whiteheads or blackheads.
Inflammation as a result of the bacteria can lead to cystic acne, which is a slightly more severe form of acne.
What Makes Back Acne Worse?
There are a number of factors that can either cause bacne or make it worse. These include:
- Hormonal Changes: Most common in teenagers and young adults. Fluctuations during the menstrual cycle can also cause bacne.
- Some Medicines: Hormonal medicines and some others have acne or worsening acne as a side effect.
- Skin Products: Some skincare products, sunscreens and cosmetics high in oils can make acne worse.
- Clothing: Tight-fitting, non-breathable clothing traps sweats and oils. This creates an environment where pimples form.
- Genetics: A family history of the condition can make the body acne-prone.
- Diet: Foods high in sugars, fats, and dairy can trigger acne.
How is Back Acne Treated?
To get rid of back acne, medicated acne treatments are often used in combination with lifestyle changes.
Treatment often starts with over-the-counter medicines and follows a stepped approach. A doctor or dermatologist might prescribe stronger topical treatments after an online or in-person consultation.
A doctor might prescribe oral back acne treatment in cases of severe bacne, widespread acne, and for patients who have skin sensitivity to topical medicines.
Consult a doctor or dermatologist for a diagnosis before using any bacne treatment.
See our range of acne treatments
Creams, Gels and Solutions
Most mild-to-moderate back acne is treated first with a topical cream or gel, which is applied directly to the affected area/s. These treatments include over-the-counter medicines like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid.
They are generally less irritating than other acne creams and gels. So they’re more appropriate for sensitive skin.
Stronger Topical Treatments
Topical retinoids or antibiotics – or a combination of several active ingredients – are among the stronger treatments used to treat back acne.
- Retinoids: These work by promoting the regeneration of skin and removing the excess dead skin. While usually effective, these tend to have more side effects such as skin peeling and dryness.
- Topical Antibiotics: These work by reducing the number of bacteria on the skin that can get into blocked pores causing inflamed acne.
- Combination Bacne Creams and Gels: These are used when one agent alone is not effective in clearing the back. They target multiple acne pathways to improve results. However they may also cause more side effects than a single active ingredient treatment.
You typically have to use topical treatments for around four weeks before you notice the effect. It might take eight to 12 weeks before you notice the full effect.
The Downsides of Topical Creams and Gels
One major downside of using topical treatments is that it can be hard to reach and cover a large affected area on your back. Your doctor may consider an oral tablet treatment if bacne affects a large portion of your back or you are unable to apply the medicine.
Tablets That Treat Back Acne
There are three major types of oral acne treatments: antibiotics, birth control pills, and oral retinoids. They have a greater number of potential side effects. So healthcare professionals tend to only recommend them if topical medicines are not appropriate.
- Oral Antibiotics: Just like topical ones, oral antibiotics work by killing the bacteria that can be responsible for acne inflammation. The reduction in bacteria has an anti-inflammatory effect on the affected areas, including the back.
- Birth Control Medicines. The oral contraceptive pill can be useful in controlling acne and back acne for women. Particularly in those who experience hormonal acne around the time of menstruation.
- Oral Retinoids. These are used in the most severe cases and if other treatments haven’t worked. It’s powerful, but it can have many more severe side effects such as dry skin and depression.
It can take up to eight weeks to notice any results from oral bacne treatments.
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7 Lifestyle Tips to Prevent Bacne
Here are few things you can do to prevent bacne:
- Wash Sweat Away: After working out or sweating in the hot sun, have a shower to wash away the sweat and oil on the back.
- Wear Clean Clothing: Dirt and sweat from dirty clothes on your back worsens bacne.
- Avoid Tight Clothing: Tight clothing can cause dirt and sweat to rub into the back, blocking pores and causing pimple formation. Wear loose breathable clothing, especially when exercising.
- Choose Oil-Free Skin Products: Stick to oil-free cosmetics, sunscreens, and other skin products to avoid making bacne worse.
- Eat Healthily: Avoid excess sugars, fats, and dairy.
- Exfoliate (Gently): A gentle scrub and body wash will remove excess dead skin that causes blocked pores.
- Consult Your Doctor About Medicines: If you take medicines that can cause acne, such as testosterone and contraception, consult your doctor about your options and alternative treatments.
Summary
Almost all forms of back acne will resolve with lifestyle changes and/or the use of acne treatments.
Finding the right treatment may take time. So consult a doctor, pharmacist or dermatologist if you are ever unsure about which treatment might be right for you.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published on November 16, 2021. It has been updated for accuracy, readability and comprehensiveness.