In this article:
What are back blemishes?
Back blemish symptoms
What causes back blemishes?
How to get rid of back blemishes
How to prevent black blemishes with lifestyle changes
How to get rid of post-back blemish marks
Blemishes on your face are challenging enough–but what if you also experience body breakouts? Dealing with back blemishes can be especially tricky and irksome.
Not to fear! We have the research-backed information you need to understand what causes back blemishes and more importantly, we’re providing you with science-vetted tips for getting rid of back blemishes.
What are back blemishes?
Back blemishes are exactly what they sound like–the occurrence of breakouts on the back, which can include red bumps, whiteheads and blackheads. Back blmiehses are a form of truncal acne or body breakout, which also causes blemishes on the shoulders, chest, neck and arms (1).
Although they may appear similar, back blemishes are not to be confused with other skin conditions that can appear on the back, shoulders and upper arms, such as keratosis pilaris, where excess keratin builds up in hair follicles, or folliculitis, a condition where hair follicles become inflamed (2,3). Since butt breakouts are often attributed to folliculitis, this means that back blemishes and localised butt breakouts often have different causes.
Back blemish symptoms
One of the struggles with back breakouts is that unlike pimples on your face, oftentimes you don’t see it first, you feel it. By the time you realise you have breakouts on your back, it’s likely gotten to the painful stage of back blemish symptoms. Just like face blemishes, back blemish symptoms can include:
- Redness from irritation.
- Different types of breakouts–this includes whiteheads, blackheads, papules, pustules and nodular breakouts, AKA severe blemishes.
- Discomfort from swollen, inflamed skin.
- Changes in skin colour from post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
What causes back blemishes?
Back blemishes are caused by an imbalance in Cutibacterium acnes bacteria (formerly Propionibacterium acnes) on skin. This overgrowth or imbalance causes inflammation, and eventually, breakouts, as the bacteria feeds on excess sebum (oil), tiny hairs and debris on skin and within pores and creates inflammatory free fatty acids. This is also how face breakouts develop.
However, there are some circumstances, both in and out of your control, that can contribute to the development of back blemishes. Here are some circumstance-related back blemish causes:
- Tight clothing or friction caused by clothing. Research has found that skin on the back, arms and shoulders is more vulnerable to mechanical stimuli that encourages breakouts. This means clothes rubbing up or fitting snugly against skin, sweat and oil, as well as skin being occluded by clothing can cause breakouts (4).
- Genetics and family history (5). Some people are just more biologically prone to breakout than others.
- Pore-clogging hair styling products (6). If you have long hair that touches your back, shoulders or chest, the ingredients contained in those products (such as saturated oils such as coconut, plant butters, or thick waxes) could trigger breakouts. Unwashed long hair can also help set off breakouts (due to hair’s natural oils).
- Body care products that contain irritating or breakout-causing ingredients or have thick, creamy textures (blemish-prone skin does best with gels and liquids).
- Elevated stress levels which compound skin inflammation.
- Life changes, such as puberty or pregnancy.
- Unwashed clothing and sheets.
- Sweating during workouts and not changing out of the wet clothes quickly. “Moist conditions encourage proliferation of bacteria,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Corey L. Hartman. He adds, “Also working in hot, humid conditions may exacerbate back blemishes.”
- Lack of attention to proper cleansing. “It’s easy to forget to wash the back and hard to reach the back to clean it effectively,” says Dr. Hartman.
How to get rid of back blemishes
Now that we know what causes back blemishes, it’s time to get down to what you really want to hear – how to get rid of back blemishes! Thankfully stopping back breakouts is straightforward. Here’s a comprehensive bacl blemish skin care routine that’ll help tackle bumps and breakouts:
- Cleanse skin with a body wash for blemish-prone skin that’s gentle, meaning it’s free from fragrance and sensitising ingredients that can (directly or indirectly) make breakouts worse. In fact, it’s best if your entire skin care routine avoids these ingredients!
- Apply a leave-on benzoyl peroxide product. Benzoyl peroxide is the gold standard when it comes to tackling the root cause of blemishes, Cutibacterium acnes bacteria. For mild to moderate blemishes, you can start with a 2.5% blemish treatment with benzoyl peroxide. Those with more severe breakouts can benefit from a 5% extra strength benzoyl peroxide treatment for blemishes.
- Consider following with an alcohol-free back blemish spray formulated with exfoliating 2% salicylic acid that can penetrate deep into pores to help unclog them, resulting in more refined and soothed skin.
How to prevent back blemishes with lifestyle changes
Did you know there are also some easy lifestyle changes you can make to prevent back beakouts? You can further prevent it by:
- Making sure to clean gym gear, wash clothes and use body wipes to quickly eliminate oil and sweat after a workout if you don’t have time for a post-gym shower. Pro-tip: bring your exfoliating body spray to the gym with you and spray affected areas after wiping them for maximum impact.
- Wearing breathable fabrics and loose-fitting clothing (when possible) to avoid friction that can cause back and truncal blemishes to flare up. Also consider the length of time you’re wearing gear on your back, such as a backpack.
- Trying to manage your stress – we know it’s tough, but it’s worth it! Research has shown there is a connection between blemishes and stress, so taking steps to handle your stress levels is important (7).
- Considering putting your hair up when the skin on your back is exposed. That way, your back doesn’t encounter hair styling products that can trigger back breakouts.
- “Chemical peels have proven to be an effective means of controlling back blemishes and the dark spots that it can leave behind,” adds Dr. Hartman.
How to get rid of post-back blemish marks
If you have back blemishes, you’ve probably experience post-breakout marks. These red or brown marks appear after a breakout subsides and are frustrating, but there are ways to visibly lessen their appearance. Here are some of the superstar products and skin care ingredients you might want to consider to help fade post-back blemish marks.
- A body serum featuring niacinamide, which, in addition to helping normalise pore size, also evens skin tone, which can help visibly improve post-blemish marks.
- A body lotion featuring 2% BHA (AKA salicylic acid). That’s right–salicylic acid can also help fade the look of post-blemish marks through exfoliation, making it an all-around rock star ingredient for fighting breakouts.
- A 10% AHA body lotion featuring glycolic acid that exfoliates surface skin for a brighter, smoother appearance.
- A retinol body treatment or other retinoid product. Research shows retinoids can target pathways within skin that lead to dark spots (8).
- You might also want to consider a product containing vitamin C, which is renowned for its ability to fade discolourations (9).
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References for this information:
- Journal of Clinical Medicine, June 2022, pages 1-14
- Journal of Dermatological Treatment, May 2022, pages 1,231-1,242
- American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, April 2012, pages 301-310
- Journal of Clinical Medicine, June 2022, pages 1-14
- British Journal of Dermatology, October 2019, pages 665-676
- The Journal of Family Practice , September 2021, page 356
- Frontiers in Medicine, July 2019, ePublication
- American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, January 2022, pages 69-81
- Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, May-Aug 2020, pages 374-382
