A Look at Back Acne And How To Treat It

Acne is a very common problem for both teens and adults and the most common perception of the condition is that it breaks out on the face. But, if you have had acne you know only too well that it can break out in other places as well such as the chest and the back.

While chest and back acne is not so apparent to the outside observer it can be extremely annoying for those afflicted by it. Unhappily, chest and back acne is normally harder to treat than facial acne and the traditional cleaners and treatments which you buy for the treatment of facial acne are generally not as effective when it comes to treating back acne. As if this were not bad enough, because your chest and back are generally covered by clothing, you might experience increased irritation as your clothes rub against your acne.

Just as you do with your facial acne you will need a daily treatment routine for acne on your back and the majority of common regimens will include a cleanser to be followed by a moisturizer. Normally, it is harder to put medication on your back acne because of where its location and so you might need the help of a family member or to use a special applicator.

You will need to watch the sort of clothes that you wear. Rough materials or tight-fitting shirts can rub against your skin and irritate your pimples resulting in greater oil production and therefore more breakouts. You also have to be careful about the type of washing powder and fabric softener that you use. Sometimes these can irritate your back acne and you might need to try different brands or even a dye and fragrance free variety.

Also, watch out if you carry anything on you back. For young people in school, as well as those individuals who do a lot of backpacking and hiking, heavy backpacks can make back acne very noticeably worse. If you see an increase in the number of acne breakouts you may need to stop using a backpack for a while. If this causes difficulties then a shoulder bag can help until your acne subsides.

A dermatologist or doctor can be a great help with the diagnosis and treatment of your acne and can begin by determining just how bad your acne is and assessing what type of skin you have. Whether your skin is, for example, oily or dry or what is referred to as a combination skin plays an important part deciding upon the best course of treatment. Your dermatologist or doctor will also want to hear a history of your acne condition, covering such as how long you have suffered from acne and how frequently breakouts occur. With this information he or she can work out the best course of treatment and the best acne medicine to deal with your specific case of acne.