Call it pimples, zit or blisters, those tiny red, brown acne spots are a common skin condition that usually appears on the face. Unfortunately, in few cases, these blisters are not confined to the facial skin alone and can be spotted on the back, chest, hands and legs.

And if you have noticed these sudden breakouts on the back of your body, well, there is a name for that. Known as ‘bacne’ by the dermatologists, bacne or back acne may vary in size, shape and in severe cases can grow into pus-filled and painful clusters. If not treated on time, back acne can lead to permanent scars and dark spots, ruining your plans of wearing a strapless dress or a designer blouse forever.  

What Causes Bacne?

Acne is a skin condition that occurs at the onset of puberty but can happen in all age groups owing to various reasons like hormonal imbalances, lack of personal hygiene, excess intake of oily food, etc.

Oil secretions, called sebum, are constant on the surface of the skin throughout the body. Just like on the face, skin pores on the back too get clogged with external pollutants and sweat depositing a lot of dirt on the skin.

However, there is a subtle difference between the acne on the face and the back. The bacne can also be caused due to inflammation even as the oil secreted by the glands get stored leading to more bacterial growth than the dead skin cells.

Another contributing factor behind bacne is ‘Acne mechanica’ the friction caused due to backpacks, chairs, tight-fitting clothes, which not only rub against the backs but also clog skin pores with sweat and depositing dirt.

If you are worried about ‘bacne’ try these highly effective lifestyle modifications and home remedies to clear those painful pimples on your back for flawless and smoother skin.

Useful Tips To Eliminate Acne On The Back:

Cleanse And Exfoliate Daily

Gently scrub your back with an exfoliating cream containing salicylic acid, tea tree oil and aloe vera, as these three ingredients exhibit antibacterial properties, clear dead cells and excess oil from the surface of your skin. This scrub helps in unclogging pores, aids in the synthesis of a new layer of healthy skin cells.

Avoid Tight-Fitting Clothing

Wearing very tight clothes to work or even while at home, can irritate the skin on your back. Furthermore, sweat and dirt can easily get trapped within these constricted apparel, giving rise to zits on your skin. Wear loose outfits in a comfortable and breathable material, so as to prevent back acne stemming from ensnared dust particles.

Shower After Workouts

Do not ever miss a shower after strenuous workouts. Use gentle body washes, to remove all the sweat and grime from your back. Always wear clean clothes while working out as acne-causing bacteria trapped in the apparel can further worsen the situation.

Follow A Balanced Diet

Steer clear of very oily foods, particularly those that are deep-fried or highly processed. These are common triggers of back acne, along with foods containing excessive sugars. Stick to a healthy balanced diet or an anti-acne diet consisting of fruits, green leafy vegetables, fiber and protein-rich meals. Sleep at least 8 hours a day.

Replace Loofahs Regularly

Cleaning the back while taking a bath every morning is often tricky, which is why we use brushes or loofahs to cleanse the region completely. However, germs can also reside in the bristles of these sponges. It is generally recommended to change your bathing scrubbers once a month, to prevent back acne.

Here are two simple DIY remedies, to banish acne, scars from the skin on the back and attain a smooth, soft, clear body.

Tea Tree Oil And Aloe Vera Mask

Ingredients:

5 drops tea tree oil

1 cup aloe vera gel

2 tbsp coconut oil

Method:

In a bowl, combine the tea tree oil, aloe vera gel and coconut oil to obtain a slick paste.

Apply this mask evenly all over the back.

Let it stay for 30 minutes, then rinse off with lukewarm water.

How It Works:

Tea tree oil is rich in anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial compounds that pacify swelling, irritation in zits and pimples on the back. Bestowed with cooling traits, aloe vera gel works wonders in vanquishing dark spots, acne scars, redness and soothing sores, sunburns, boils. Coconut oil is an excellent moisturiser, being laden with vitamin E and healthy fats, for intense hydration to dry regions and acquiring silky, supple skin.

Oatmeal And Rock Salt Solution

Ingredients:

1 cup oatmeal

2 tbsp rock salt

3 drops geranium essential oil

Method:

Pour in the oatmeal, rock salt and geranium essential oil in a bucket full of warm water.

Thoroughly bathe in this solution, making sure to gently scrub the skin on the back using a clean loofah.

Pat dry with a towel.

How It Works:

Oatmeal is packed with a plethora of beneficial components, that significantly lower inflammation at the site of acne breakouts and quell dryness, itching in the skin on the back. Vast reserves of minerals in rock salt effectively cleanse pores in the skin of impurities like dust, dirt, grime, germs and diminish pimple scars. Geranium essential oil is blessed with astringent properties that control sebum, oil secretions in the back, to confer flawless, velvety, radiant skin.