How To Get Rid of Back Acne: Causes & Treatments

How To Get Rid of Back Acne

Struggling with back acne? Learn what causes bacne and discover effective treatments, skincare tips, and home remedies to clear your skin and prevent future breakouts.

Causes of Back Acne

Back acne can occur when sweat, dead skin cells, sebum, or other impurities clog the pores in the area. Bacteria can build up in these pores, resulting in different types of acne, including:

• Blackheads
• Whiteheads
• Buttons
• Cysts
• Nodules
• Pustules

Hormonal changes are a very common cause of acne on any part of the body, including the back. In fact, certain hormones trigger the sebaceous glands to produce excess sebum.

The back is an especially common place for acne to develop because it is often covered by clothing and long hair, and it sweats more than other parts of the body.

Back acne can sometimes develop due to a combination of factors. For example, teenagers may have higher testosterone levels and use harsh detergents.

Hormonal causes of back acne include:

• Testosterone, especially during puberty
• Menstruation
• Pregnancy
• Menopause
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome

Non-hormonal causes of back acne include:

• Excessive sebum: Many factors, from skin care products to weather, can cause excess sebum production. Some products dry out the skin, which in turn causes excess sebum production and dries out the skin.
• Skin care products: thick moisturizers, massage oils, and emollients can clog pores on the back and lead to back acne.
• Tight-fitting clothing and non-breathable fabrics: Some tight-fitting fabrics and clothing can trap moisture and oils on the back, especially after exercise. Some fabrics can irritate the skin and increase the risk of bacterial infections.
• Household chemicals: Detergents, shower gels, and harsh soaps can irritate the skin and cause rashes, especially in people with sensitive skin.
• Medications: Corticosteroids, certain birth control pills, antidepressants, and many other medications can affect sebum production.
• Sugary foods: Studies have shown that sugary foods and drinks can contribute to acne.
• Dehydration: Dehydration dries out the skin, which increases oil production, especially on the back.

How do I get rid of back acne?

There are several ways to treat back acne. Lifestyle changes are often enough to treat occasional acne or mild breakouts. If you have severe or persistent acne, especially on your back, décolleté, or face, it’s a good idea to see a dermatologist. For more information, see our guide “How to get rid of décolleté acne.” You can learn more about different types of acne in our “Guide to face and body acne.”

Here are some common lifestyle adjustments you can make to treat back acne:

• Wash your back immediately after physical activity or excessive sweating.
• Avoid using heavy moisturizers or massage oils on your back.
• Wear loose clothing made of breathable materials such as cotton.
• Replace detergents and soaps with hypoallergenic ones.
• Don’t scratch or pop back acne, as this can make the rash worse.
• Change sheets and pillowcases regularly.
• Avoid carrying a backpack for long periods of time.

Back Acne Treatment

Treatment for back acne depends on several factors, including the underlying cause and severity of the acne. However, your doctor or pharmacist may first recommend one or more of the following over-the-counter medications:

• Retinoids: Retinoid products, such as Differin Gel, exfoliate the skin and remove dead skin cells that can clog pores.
• Benzoyl peroxide: This product works to inhibit bacterial growth. It is often sold in gel form, such as Epiduo Gel and Acnecide Gel (see also Acnecide Cleansing Gel).
• Azelaic Acid: This acid kills bacteria and removes dead cells. It’s especially effective for those with sensitive skin.
• Salicylic Acid: This similar acid reduces bacterial growth and dead cells and is a common ingredient in over-the-counter treatments.

Back acne is common in people who suffer from severe or stubborn acne and can appear as cysts or nodules. This cystic acne can be painful and scarring if left untreated.

If you have difficulty reaching all parts of your back, ask someone to help you apply a topical treatment or buy a lotion applicator.

If treating your back acne with lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medications doesn’t work, prescription treatments may be effective. Prescription treatments for back acne include:

Topical antibiotics

These may be the first-line treatment for back acne that over-the-counter medications have failed to cure. These antibiotics are usually sold in the form of gels or lotions and work to reduce swelling and kill bacteria on your back. Genericpharmamall carries a wide range of topical antibiotics for acne, including:

• Zinerrit Lotion (contains the antibiotic erythromycin)
• Treklin Gel (contains the antibiotic clindamycin)
• Duac Gel (contains the antibiotic clindamycin)

If this doesn’t work, your doctor or dermatologist may try changing the antibiotic before moving on to other treatments.

Contraceptives

Contraceptives are off-label acne treatments that are often used in women (e.g. cocyprindiol, dianet). If your back acne is severe or stubborn, you may be prescribed antibiotics or a drug called spironolactone in addition to contraceptives.

Some progestin-only pills and implants can make acne worse. However, people with certain medical conditions, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome, may also respond differently to contraceptives.

Isotretinoin

Isotretinoin is a highly effective drug that reduces swelling and sebum production and fights bacteria. However, side effects can be severe. People taking isotretinoin should be monitored regularly by a doctor.

Ablation

Dermatologists can use several techniques to remove particularly large or painful cysts on the back. They can use sterile instruments to drain the pus or inject corticosteroids. It is not recommended to try these techniques at home.

Low-dose prednisone

Prednisone is a powerful corticosteroid that doctors prescribe to treat severe acne, known as “fulminant acne,” that occurs on the back and chest.

Summary

Back acne, or “back acne,” is a common skin condition, but severe or long-lasting acne can be uncomfortable and leave acne scars in the long term.

Back acne can be difficult to treat because of its location. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the best way to apply medications to your back. You may be advised to purchase a lotion applicator or ask for help.

If lifestyle changes are not enough, there are a variety of over the counter and prescription treatments to treat back acne.

At Genericpharmamall, our licensed pharmacists can help you choose the best back acne treatment for you after a brief consultation. The medicine will be delivered the next day in discreet packaging.