How can you protect your skin before and after exercising. What are the best practices for maintaining healthy skin during workouts. Why is sunscreen application crucial for skin health while exercising. How does sweat affect your skin during and after a workout. What cleansing routines should you follow post-exercise. How can you prevent workout-related acne breakouts.

The Impact of Exercise on Skin Health

Exercise not only benefits your muscles but also contributes significantly to skin health. A study published in Aging Cell in August 2015 suggests that both endurance exercise and high-intensity aerobic training may help prevent and reduce signs of aging in the skin. Moreover, the stress-reducing effects of exercise can indirectly benefit skin health, as chronic stress can contribute to skin aging and exacerbate conditions like psoriasis and acne, according to a review published in Inflammation & Allergy Drug Targets in June 2014.

Given these benefits, it’s crucial to maintain proper skin-care habits before and after workouts to maximize the positive effects of exercise on your skin. Let’s explore six essential practices recommended by dermatologists for pre and post-workout skincare.

Pre-Workout Sunscreen Application: A Non-Negotiable Step

Applying sunscreen before exercising is crucial, regardless of whether you’re working out indoors or outdoors. Dr. Deirdre Hooper, a board-certified dermatologist, emphasizes the importance of using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30. This advice applies even when exercising in a gym with windows, as any visible light can contribute to skin damage and aging.

When choosing a sunscreen for workouts, opt for a sweatproof formula. Sports sunscreens are typically designed with this in mind, and the label should indicate how long the product remains water and sweat-resistant. Remember to apply sunscreen to often-forgotten areas like the back of your neck to prevent signs of aging such as discoloration.

Key Areas for Sunscreen Application:

• Face
• Throat
• Chest
• Back of the neck

The Surprising Truth About Pre-Workout Makeup

Contrary to popular belief, it’s not necessary to remove your makeup before exercising. Dr. Hooper states that having makeup on your face during a workout isn’t harmful, although it may get a bit messy due to sweating. This means you can confidently schedule a lunchtime workout without worrying about removing your makeup beforehand.

However, it’s important to avoid applying heavy moisturizers before working out. Dr. Charisse Dolitsky, a dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group, explains that some moisturizers create a barrier on the skin that prevents the evaporation of sweat. This can potentially clog pores and interfere with your body’s natural cooling process during exercise.

Post-Workout Shower: Essential for Skin Health

While it might be tempting to run errands in your workout clothes, it’s crucial to shower after exercising. Dr. Hooper explains that sweating creates a warm, wet environment ideal for bacterial growth. At the very least, rinse off to remove accumulated sweat, oil, and bacteria.

For those prone to acne, using a wash containing benzoyl peroxide can help fight C. acnes, the bacteria responsible for breakouts. If this doesn’t prove effective, Dr. Hooper recommends trying a sulfur wash. Always change into clean clothes after your workout to minimize the risk of skin issues.

Post-Workout Cleansing Options:

1. Benzoyl peroxide wash
2. Sulfur wash
3. Gentle cleanser
4. Facial wipes (in a pinch)

Facial Cleansing: A Must-Do After Exercise

If showering at the gym isn’t an option, it’s essential to at least clean your face before leaving. Dr. Dolitsky advises using a gentle or mild cleanser rather than harsh products. In a time crunch, facial wipes can be a convenient alternative. For those prone to acne, wipes containing salicylic acid can help prevent clogged pores that lead to breakouts.

After cleansing, apply a lightweight moisturizer to help your skin retain water. This step is crucial for maintaining skin hydration post-workout.

The Importance of Tinted Sunscreen Post-Workout

Reapplying sunscreen after your workout and shower is vital for ongoing skin protection. Dermatologists consistently emphasize the importance of this step for maintaining long-term skin health. Sunscreen guards against the harmful effects of UV radiation, which can lead to premature aging and increase the risk of skin cancer.

Consider using a tinted sunscreen for added benefits. Tinted formulations often contain iron oxides, which can provide additional protection against visible light and blue light emitted by electronic devices. This extra layer of defense can be particularly beneficial if you’re heading back to work or spending time outdoors after your workout.

Preventing and Managing Workout-Related Acne

Exercise-induced sweating can sometimes lead to acne breakouts, particularly if proper skincare routines aren’t followed. To minimize the risk of workout-related acne, consider the following tips:

• Cleanse your skin thoroughly after exercising
• Use non-comedogenic skincare products
• Avoid touching your face during workouts
• Change out of sweaty clothes promptly
• Use acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide if prone to breakouts

If acne persists despite following these measures, it may be time to consult a dermatologist. They can recommend stronger prescription options to help clear your skin and develop a personalized skincare routine tailored to your needs.

Hydration and Skin Health: The Exercise Connection

Proper hydration plays a crucial role in maintaining skin health, especially when it comes to exercise. When you sweat during a workout, your body loses water, which can lead to dehydration if not properly replenished. Dehydrated skin can appear dull, dry, and more prone to fine lines and wrinkles.

To support your skin’s hydration needs during and after exercise, consider the following strategies:

• Drink plenty of water before, during, and after your workout
• Use a hydrating facial mist during exercise to refresh your skin
• Apply a lightweight, hydrating moisturizer after cleansing post-workout
• Consider using products containing hyaluronic acid to boost skin hydration

By maintaining proper hydration, you can help your skin recover more effectively from the stress of exercise and maintain a healthy, radiant appearance.

The Role of Antioxidants in Post-Workout Skincare

Exercise, while beneficial for overall health, can temporarily increase oxidative stress in the body. This process can potentially lead to free radical damage, which may contribute to premature aging of the skin. Incorporating antioxidants into your post-workout skincare routine can help combat these effects and support skin health.

Antioxidants work by neutralizing free radicals, helping to protect your skin from oxidative damage. Some effective antioxidants for post-workout skincare include:

• Vitamin C: Brightens skin and supports collagen production
• Vitamin E: Moisturizes and protects against free radical damage
• Green tea extract: Provides anti-inflammatory benefits
• Niacinamide: Helps improve skin barrier function and reduce redness

Consider incorporating these ingredients into your post-workout skincare routine through serums, moisturizers, or targeted treatments. This can help maximize the skin benefits of your exercise regimen while minimizing potential negative effects.

Addressing Exercise-Induced Skin Irritation

While exercise offers numerous benefits for skin health, it can sometimes lead to skin irritation, especially for those with sensitive skin or specific skin conditions. Friction from clothing, sweat accumulation, and increased body heat can all contribute to skin discomfort during and after workouts.

To minimize exercise-induced skin irritation, consider the following strategies:

• Wear moisture-wicking, breathable fabrics during workouts
• Use anti-chafing products on areas prone to friction
• Shower or rinse off promptly after exercising
• Apply a soothing, fragrance-free moisturizer post-workout
• Consider using products with calming ingredients like aloe vera or chamomile

If you experience persistent skin irritation related to exercise, consult a dermatologist for personalized advice and treatment options. They can help identify any underlying skin conditions and recommend appropriate solutions to keep your skin comfortable and healthy during workouts.

The Importance of Consistency in Workout Skincare

Maintaining a consistent skincare routine in relation to your workouts is key to reaping the full benefits of exercise for your skin. Just as regular exercise contributes to overall health and fitness, a consistent approach to pre and post-workout skincare can lead to long-term improvements in skin health and appearance.

To establish a consistent workout skincare routine, consider the following tips:

• Prepare a skincare kit specifically for your gym bag
• Set reminders to apply sunscreen before outdoor workouts
• Schedule time for post-workout cleansing and skincare
• Track your skin’s response to different products and adjust as needed
• Be patient – it may take time to see significant improvements in skin health

Remember that everyone’s skin is unique, and what works for one person may not be ideal for another. Pay attention to how your skin responds to different products and routines, and don’t hesitate to consult a dermatologist for personalized advice if needed.

Balancing Skincare and Exercise Frequency

While regular exercise is beneficial for skin health, it’s important to find a balance that works for your skin type and fitness goals. Some individuals may find that very frequent, intense workouts can temporarily exacerbate certain skin issues, such as acne or dryness.

To strike the right balance between exercise frequency and skin health, consider the following approaches:

• Monitor your skin’s response to different exercise intensities and frequencies
• Adjust your skincare routine based on workout intensity (e.g., more intensive cleansing after high-intensity sessions)
• Incorporate rest days to allow your skin time to recover
• Vary your workout types to minimize repetitive friction on specific areas of skin
• Stay attuned to your skin’s needs and adjust your routine accordingly

Remember that the goal is to achieve overall health and well-being, which includes both physical fitness and skin health. Finding the right balance may require some experimentation and patience, but the long-term benefits for both your body and skin are well worth the effort.

6 Skin-Care Musts for Before and After Your Workout

Just as exercise is good for muscles, it’s also good for the health of your skin. A study published in August 2015 in Aging Cell suggests that both endurance exercise and high-intensity aerobic training may help prevent and reduce signs of aging in the skin.

Stress reduction is a key reason to stay fit. A review from December 2016 in Current Behavioral Neuroscience Reports noted that exercise can help fight stress — which, when chronic, can contribute to skin aging and exacerbate skin conditions such as psoriasis and acne, according to another review, published in June 2014 in Inflammation & Allergy Drug Targets.

Now that you know just what exercise can do for your complexion, you’ll want to maintain the skin-care habits that prevent acne, improve hydration, and reduce irritation and damage. Going that extra mile — in the gym or with your skin — can help turn back the clock.

We talked to two dermatologists about what you need to do to prep your skin before and after exercise.

1. Before You Break a Sweat, Don’t Forget to Apply Sunscreen

If you’re going outside, don’t forget to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30, says Deirdre Hooper, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Audubon Dermatology in New Orleans and an associate clinical professor in the Department of Dermatology at Louisiana State University and Tulane University. Here’s the thing: This advice applies even if you’re working out in a gym with windows that let light in. “Anytime there’s visible light, you’re exposed to some part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Growing evidence is showing that all light is important when it comes to skin damage and aging,” she says.

Because you’ll likely be sweating, and especially so if it’s hot out, you’ll want to ensure your SPF is sweatproof, too. Sports sunscreens usually have this in mind; the label should also list how many minutes the product is both water- and sweat-resistant.

Apply it to your face, throat, chest, and back of the neck. The last is the spot most people forget, and these are often the folks who are surprised when they see signs of aging, like discoloration, appear in their late thirties and forties, she says.

RELATED: 10 Things Your Skin Is Trying to Tell You — and How to Respond

2. Believe It or Not, Don’t Worry About Washing Off Your Makeup Pre–Sweat Sesh

This may come as a shock, but Dr. Hooper says it’s okay to skip washing your face before a workout. “You’ll sweat and it’ll get a little messy, but it’s not bad to have makeup on your face during exercise,” she says. That means it’s totally fine to schedule a lunchtime workout and head straight for the treadmill.

One thing you don’t want on your face as you suit up to sweat: a heavy moisturizer. “Some moisturizers put a barrier on skin that prevents the evaporation of water,” says Charisse Dolitsky, MD, a dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in Long Island, New York, and a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at SUNY Downstate. Not only is there a pore-clogging concern, but it’s the evaporation of sweat that cools you down. So if you’re tempted to add more moisturizer before working out, don’t.

3. After You Exercise, Hit the Showers to Wipe Away All the Sweat

Now that athleisure is a thing, it’s socially acceptable to sport the leggings you wore at the gym while out you’re out running errands or to breakfast later. Not so fast. “Sweating creates a warm and wet environment for bacteria to grow,” says Hooper.

At the very least, rinse off to remove built-up sweat, oil, and germs. This is especially important if you’re acne-prone, she says. In that case, try a wash that contains benzoyl peroxide, which will fight C. acnes, the bacteria that causes breakouts. If that doesn’t work, she recommends cleansing with a sulfur wash.

As a rule, always change into new clothes. If acne still remains, it’s time to see a dermatologist, who may recommend stronger prescription options to clear your skin.

RELATED: 5 Nighttime Skin-Care Mistakes That Are Sabotaging Your Beauty Sleep

4. If Nothing Else, Be Sure to Wash Your Face Post-Workout

If you’re not showering at the gym, at the very least clean your face before you pack up and leave. Avoid harsh washes and opt for a gentle or mild cleanser instead, says Dr. Dolitsky.

A facial wipe can be used in a pinch if you’re running out the door. If you’re acne-prone, a wipe with salicylic acid can help prevent plugged pores that lead to pimples, she says.

Next, top with a lightweight moisturizer to help your skin retain water.

5. Apply a Tinted Sunscreen When You’re Done Washing Off

Yes, you’ve heard over and over again to use sunscreen. Honestly, dermatologists agree that this constant reminder is critical for the future health of your skin. Sunscreen guards against the UV rays that degrade collagen, the proteins in skin that keep it springy and line-free.

Most likely, if you were working out, you were sweaty, which makes this step all the more key. “If you sweat, the sunscreen you applied prior to your workout is now gone,” says Hooper.

Rather than reapply a thick sport sunscreen, now’s the time to slather on a tinted sunscreen, which multitasks as both a UV protectant and makeup that evens your skin tone. What’s more, research suggests that tinted sunscreen can protect skin from the damaging effects of indoor light, per the November 2017 issue of the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.

RELATED: The Skin-Care Glossary Every Woman Needs to Have

6. Just as You Let Your Muscles Relax After Exercising, You’ll Want to Cool Down Your Skin

You know you need to cool down your muscles after exercise by walking or stretching, and your face needs a break, too. “Heat can damage the skin by inhibiting its restorative processes,” says Dolitsky.

Just as you protect your skin from UV damage from the sun, you should guard your complexion against heat energy, too. This is especially important after prolonged heat exposure, such as a hot yoga class, Dolitsky says.

Luckily, it’s relatively easy. Simply wash your face with cool water if you’re on the go, or apply a cooling mask at home.

Treatment, Types, Causes & Prevention

Overview

Typical teenager with facial acne

What is acne?

Acne is a common skin condition where the pores of your skin become blocked by hair, sebum (an oily substance), bacteria and dead skin cells. Those blockages produce blackheads, whiteheads, nodules and other types of pimples. If you have acne, know you’re not alone. It’s the most common skin condition that people experience. It’s estimated that 80% of people ages 11 to 30 will have at least a mild form of acne, and most people are affected by it at some point in their lives.

Who does acne affect?

Though it mainly affects teenagers and young adults undergoing hormonal changes, many people continue struggling with acne into their 20s, 30s and beyond. Some even develop acne for the first time as adults.

Where does acne most commonly occur?

The most common spots where you might have acne are your face, forehead, chest, shoulders and upper back. Oil glands are all over your body, but those are the places where there are the most. The best way to treat acne depends on how severe it is. Acne can be mild (a few occasional pimples) moderate (inflammatory papules) or severe (nodules and cysts).

What are the different types of acne?

Acne can take several forms. They include:

• Blackheads: Open bumps on the skin that fill with excess oil and dead skin. They look as if dirt has deposited in the bump, but the dark spots are actually caused by an irregular light reflection off the clogged follicle.
• Whiteheads: Bumps that remain closed by oil and dead skin.
• Papules: Small red or pink bumps that become inflamed.
• Pustules: Pimples containing pus. They look like whiteheads surrounded by red rings. They can cause scarring if picked or scratched.
• Fungal acne (pityrosporum folliculitis): This type occurs when an excess of yeast develops in the hair follicles. They can become itchy and inflamed.
• Nodules: Solid pimples that are deep in your skin. They are large and painful.
• Cysts: Pus-filled pimples. These can cause scars.

All of these forms of acne can affect your self-esteem. It’s best to seek help from your healthcare provider early so they can help determine the best treatment option(s) for you.

Symptoms and Causes

What causes acne?

Acne is largely a hormonal condition that’s driven by androgen hormones, which typically become active during the teenage and young adult years. Sensitivity to these hormones — combined with surface bacteria on the skin and fatty acids within oil glands — can result in acne.

Certain things can cause acne and/or make it worse:

• Fluctuating hormone levels around the time of a woman’s period.
• Picking at acne sores.
• Clothing and headgear, like hats and sports helmets.
• Air pollution and certain weather conditions, especially high humidity.
• Using oily or greasy personal care products (like heavy lotions, creams or hair pomades and waxes) or working in an area where you routinely come in contact with grease (such as working at a restaurant where there are greasy food surfaces and frying oil).
• Stress, which increases the hormone cortisol, can also cause acne to flare.
• Some medications.
• Genetics.

Does chocolate cause acne?

Some studies have linked particular foods and diets to acne. Skim milk, whey protein and diets high in sugar may contribute to acne flares. Chocolate has not been directly linked to acne.

Why do so many teenagers get acne?

One of the causes of acne is a surge in hormones called androgens (specifically testosterone), which both women and men produce. Those hormones tend to be at their peak during the teen years.

Do certain foods cause acne?

For the most part, hormonal changes in the body drive acne. There is some evidence that skim milk, whey protein and diets high in sugar may cause acne breakouts, although this remains controversial.

Eating a balanced, nutritious diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, especially those rich with vitamin C and beta carotene, helps reduce inflammation. There is also some evidence that eating fish can help.

Can acne cause scars?

Acne does sometimes result in scarring. It happens when the acne penetrates the skin and damages the deeper layers. Inflammation makes the acne pores swell and breakdown occurs in the wall of the pore. Scarring can, of course, be a source of anxiety, which is normal. But before it can be treated, your healthcare provider will determine what type of acne caused the scars.

There are several available treatment options. Chemical peels, dermabrasion, laser resurfacing, microneedling and surgery can all be used to treat acne scars.

Diagnosis and Tests

How is acne diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider can diagnose acne during a skin exam. They may also ask if you’re undergoing significant stress or if you have a family history of acne, all of which are risk factors. Teenage girls and women may also be asked about their menstrual cycles, as breakouts are sometimes related. Sudden, severe acne outbreaks in older people can sometimes signal another underlying disease that requires medical attention.

How severe can acne get?

Dermatologists rank acne by severity:

• Grade 1 (mild): mostly whiteheads and blackheads, with a few papules and pustules.
• Grade 2 (moderate, or pustular acne): multiple papules and pustules, mostly on your face.
• Grade 3 (moderately severe, or nodulocystic acne): numerous papules and pustules, along with occasionally inflamed nodules. Your back and chest may also be affected.
• Grade 4 (severe nodulocystic acne): numerous large, painful and inflamed pustules and nodules.

Management and Treatment

How is acne treated?

Your healthcare provider may suggest some non-prescription medications for your condition. Depending on the condition’s severity, your age, the type of acne you have and how effective the over-the-counter remedies have been, you may need stronger prescription medications.

The use of certain contraceptives can sometimes help a woman’s acne go away. The Food and Drug Administration has approved three types of birth control pills for treating acne. All four contain a combination of estrogen (the primary female sex hormone) and progesterone (a natural form of steroid that helps regulate menstruation).

Various medications and therapies have proven to be effective. They target the underlying factors that contribute to acne. You might require at least one or multiple, depending on the severity of your condition.

Medications applied topically:

• Benzoyl peroxide is available as an over-the-counter product (such as Clearasil®, Stridex®, PanOxyl®) as a leave-on gel or wash. It targets surface bacteria, which often aggravates acne. Lower concentrations and wash formulations are less irritating to your skin. Irritation (dryness) is a common side effect.
• Salicylic acid is available over-the-counter for acne, as a cleanser or lotion. It helps remove the top layer of damaged skin. Salicylic acid dissolves dead skin cells to prevent your hair follicles from clogging.
• Azelaic acid is a natural acid found in various grains such as barley, wheat and rye. It kills microorganisms on the skin and reduces swelling.
• Retinoids (vitamin A derivatives) such as Retin-A®, Tazorac®, and Differin® (which is now available without a prescription) break up blackheads and whiteheads and help to prevent clogged pores, the first signs of acne. Most patients are candidates for retinoid therapy. These medications are not spot treatments and must be used on the entire area of skin affected by acne to prevent the formation of new pimples. The most common side effect is irritation, which usually improves with moisturization and time on the medication.
• Antibiotics (topical types include clindamycin and erythromycin) control surface bacteria that aggravate and often encourage the swelling of acne. Antibiotics are more effective when combined with benzoyl peroxide.
• Dapzone (Aczone®) is a topical gel, which also has antibacterial properties, can be used for inflamed acne. It’s applied to the skin twice a day.

Medications taken orally (by mouth):

• Antibiotics, especially tetracycline antibiotics such as minocycline and doxycycline, are commonly used to treat moderate to severe acne.
• Oral contraceptives can help with breakouts associated with menstrual cycles. Three classes of medications have been approved by the FDA for acne patients. Some brand names include Estrostep®, Beyaz®, Ortho Tri-Cyclen® and Yaz ®.
• Isotretinoin (Amnesteem®, Claravis®, Sotret®), an oral retinoid, is an especially effective drug used only for the most severe cases of acne. Isotretinoin shrinks the size of oil glands, which contributes to acne formation. The most common side effect is dryness, but can also cause birth defects. Some evidence suggests a possible increased risk of ulcerative colitis and depression. Because of these risks, anyone using the drug must take part in a Food and Drug Administration-approved risk management program known as iPledge.

Other therapies:

Depending on your condition, your healthcare provider might suggest one of these specialized therapies, possibly combined with medication.

• Steroids. Rarely, steroids can be used to treat severe acne or injected into large nodules to reduce inflammation.
• Lasers. Currently, lasers are primarily used to treat acne scars. A laser delivers heat to the scarred collagen under the skin, this relies on the body’s wound healing response to create new, healthy collagen. This encourages the growth of new skin to replace it. There are different types of laser resurfacing—ablative and non-ablative. Your dermatologist will determine which type is best for your skin type and nature of acne scars.
• Chemical Peels. This treatment uses special chemicals to remove the top layer of old skin. Typically whenever the top layer is removed, the new skin that grows in is smoother and can lessen acne scars.

Do I need to see a specialist?

Your acne can be managed by your general healthcare provider. However, when acne does not improve or is severe you should see a board certified dermatologist.

What should I do while waiting to see a dermatologist?

Continue washing your face at least daily with lukewarm water and a mild facial cleanser that you can buy over the counter. Products containing benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are effective. You can also now purchase the topical retinoid, Differin®, over the counter and use as directed.

Prevention

Can acne be prevented?

Preventing acne is difficult if not impossible during normal hormonal changes. But some things can help:

• Wash your face daily with warm water and a mild facial cleanser.
• Routinely use moisturizer.
• You don’t have to stop using makeup, but try to use “non-comedogenic” products and remove makeup at the end of each day.
• Keep your hands away from your face.

Outlook / Prognosis

What can I expect if I’ve been diagnosed with acne?

Acne often goes away in early adulthood, though some people will continue to experience acne throughout adulthood. Your healthcare provider or board certified dermatologist can help manage this difficult condition.

Are there any special concerns for women of childbearing age with acne?

Many topical and oral acne treatments are contraindicated during pregnancy. If you’re a woman in your childbearing years, it’s important to discuss acne treatments with your healthcare provider and alert them if you become pregnant. Isotretinoin is known to cause severe birth defects and therefore, two methods of birth control are required while on this medication.

Hormone therapy is helpful for some women with acne, especially for those that flare-up with menstruation or those with signs and symptoms (irregular periods) of excess androgen (male hormone). Hormone therapy consists of low-dose estrogen and progesterone (birth control pills) or a medication called spironolactone that blocks the effect of male hormones at the level of the hair follicles and oil glands.

Living With

When should I see my healthcare provider about my acne?

See your healthcare provider as soon as you notice the pimples so that you can start treatment immediately, before scarring occurs.

What questions should I ask my healthcare provider about acne?

• What type of acne do I have?
• How severe is my acne?
• Do I need to see a dermatologist?
• Do I need a referral?
• What over-the-counter medications do you recommend?
• What prescription medications do you recommend?

A note from Cleveland Clinic:

Acne is the most common of all skin conditions and can have a profound psychosocial impact.

How to Get Rid of Bacne Fast: 15 Dermatologist-Approved Tips

Want to know the secrets for how to get rid of bacne once and for all? Back acne is annoying at best and painful at worst, and almost everyone’s had it at some point or other, so you’re not alone! Bring on the tank tops and backless dresses, though, because we’re ready to fight back! We talked to top dermatologists and skin-care experts to find out how to get rid of bacne once and for all. Here, discover 15 expert tips for how to get rid of back acne.

1. Exfoliate Regularly

“Like the face, one’s upper torso and back have more sebaceous (oil-producing) glands than any other area of the body, which means it produces more of the skin’s natural oil, increasing the likelihood of developing body acne in these areas. Exfoliating on a regular basis is also important since the skin cells on the back may not slough off as efficiently as needed and that pile-up can aggravate acne,” says Doris Day, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. Try Neutrogena Body Clear Body Scrub, $9.49.

2. Wear Clothing That Breathes

“Any skin irritation (like sweat) can exacerbate outbreaks. It’s important to stay away from tight clothing to minimize friction, especially when perspiring. Certain materials, like those that absorb sweat from the skin, will also reduce irritation. Lighter colors and cotton are ideal, especially during workouts,” says Day.

3. Spot-Treat Bacne

Spot treatments and masks aren’t just for your face — they can be a targeted way to tackle bacne breakouts, too. Esthetician and skin-care expert Renée Rouleau recommends using a mask with ingredients like sulfur, camphor, salicylic acid, tea tree oil, and clay, like her Rapid Response Detox Masque ($65.50). You can also use spot treatments that you would normally use on your face on your bod. For breakouts that are close to the surface, try Mario Badescu’s Drying Lotion ($17) for an overnight fix. If your bacne is the cystic kind, Rouleau’s Anti-Cyst Treatment ($49. 50) is a great option.

4. Use an Acne Spray to Hit Weird Angles on Your Back

Getting acne medication on your back can be tricky, but this simple spray can propel its treatment from any angle. Try Murad Clarifying Body Spray, $44.

5. Try Cleansing Pads

Even when you think you’ve gotten your body squeaky clean, one swipe of these cleansing pads can reveal trapped dirt and oil. The discs are saturated with salicylic acid, so they fight breakouts while cleansing. Get a pal to help you rub them on your back! Try Oxy Daily Defense Cleansing Pads, $12.45.

6. Shower Right After Working Out

One of the reasons bacne happens is because we’re busy being so awesome and healthy working up a sweat! “Breakouts on the back and body can be exacerbated by working out or sweating more,” explains Renée. Whenever possible, shower right after exercising to help remove sweat that may be irritating the skin and causing clogged pores on your back.

7. Use Specially Formulated Cleansers

Take advantage of cleansers made specifically to fight bacne, like the CeraVe Salicylic Acid Body Wash ($11. 04). As the name suggests, this cleanser deposits salicylic acid wherever you need it most, leaving you feeling ultra-clean and helping you to fight acne all over your body. Another option is to use a benzoyl peroxide–laced wash, like PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash ($9.49).

If body washes are more your style, try Murad’s Acne Body Wash, $44. The trifecta of salicylic acid, green tea, and licorice root extract reduces redness, soothes inflammation, and unclogs pores. If you’re still not seeing results with OTC products, ask your dermatologist about prescription-strength washes, too.

8. Use a Cleansing Brush

Scrubbing your back seems basically impossible, until you try Clarisonic’s body brush — it deep cleans even tough skin around your upper shoulders. The extending handle allows you to easily get to hard-to-reach areas. Try the Clarisonic Mia Smart Deluxe Acne Prevention Kit, $169.

9. Don’t Let Conditioner Sit on Your Back

Sometimes how we wash our hair is to blame for bacne. When conditioner-coated hair sits directly on our backs, it seeps into the skin — and that can actually be the cause of back and body acne. So the answer to how to get rid of bacne might be as simple as clipping your hair up if you’re going to let a conditioner sit in it for a bit. It’s also important to keep it off your back after the shower, too. Even though you’ve rinsed, the freshly conditioned hair can irritate sensitive, acne-prone skin.

10. Don’t Pick at Zits on Your Back

As with regular acne, avoid picking any bacne or body acne. Just like with your face, picking acne on your body can spread bacteria and cause more pimples, as well as lead to scarring (and no one wants to deal with that).

11. Wash Your Sheets and Workout Gear Regularly

Sheets and recycled workout gear can be a breeding ground for acne-causing bacteria. Make sure to wash your sheets frequently and avoid the temptation to re-wear your sports bra or tank for more than one sweat sesh.

12. Schedule a Back Facial

“As someone who has struggled with back acne during my teenage years, I am very familiar with this troubling condition,” says Renée. “While there are great things you can do for yourself at home, to get even better results, schedule an appointment to get a back treatment with a skin-care professional.” Unlike a DIY treatment, a back facial with a licensed esthetician will deep-clean clogged pores, as well as give a powerful, professional-strength exfoliation to boost the results of your home care.

13. Treat Acne From the Inside Out

“Back acne is a real challenge to treat,” says New York City–based board-certified dermatologist Dendy Engelman. For one thing, “the thickness of the dermis on the back is the thickest of anywhere on the body, so the penetration of products that you apply topically can only do so much,” she says.
If you have been following the above steps for treating bacne, and you’re still not seeing improvement, you might want to consult a derm who can prescribe oral antibiotics — and in even more severe cases, Accutane. “Some cases of back acne, particularly those with extreme cystic acne, may find that antibiotics are more powerful and may be needed to avoid long-term scarring,” adds Renée.

14. Incorporate Probiotics Into Your Diet and Skin-Care Routine

Whether you add fermented foods (which are naturally rich in probiotics) like kimchi, miso, yogurt, and kefir, or take a daily supplement, probiotics can boost the health of the skin’s microbiome. “Taking an oral probiotic daily really does help to not only reset the gastrointestinal flora, but can actually help the skin flora as well,” says Engelman. Luckily, probiotic supplements are readily available thanks to brands like Olly ($12.42)and Tula ($39), at a variety of price points.

15. Opt for Oil-Free Sunscreen

Last but not least on our list of solutions for how to get rid of back acne is switching out your sunscreen. Whenever you choose a sunscreen, opt for one that says “non-comedogenic.” That means the sunscreen is oil-free and specifically formulated not to block pores.

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Want more from Teen Vogue? Check this out: The Complete Guide to Covering Body Acne (And Acne Scars)

Dermatology Center of Northwest Houston: Dermatologists

With puberty firmly behind you, you look forward to a life without the roller coaster ride of fluctuating hormone levels and the side effects they bring, especially the patchwork of acne that covered your skin. So why does it still persist, even into your 30s and beyond?

Here at Dermatology Center of Northwest Houston, we help our clients in Cypress, Texas, gain the upper hand on adult acne, giving them skin that doesn’t harken back to the ungainly yearbook photos of old.

If you’d like to learn why you can still get acne in your 30s and what you can do about it, we’ve pulled together everything you need to know below.

Sorting through the myths

Acne is the most common skin condition in the United States, affecting 40-50 million people, and it’s also the least understood. If you do an internet search for treating acne, you get over 32,000,000 search results in under two seconds. Rather than wading through an internet search, here are a few facts about acne:

For years, many people believed that what you ate contributed to acne, especially chocolate. The fact is that there’s very little evidence that ties diet to acne, which doesn’t mean to say that what you eat doesn’t influence or worsen your acne, but there’s scant research to back up that claim.

As well, your hygiene doesn’t appear to play a role in acne. Yes, you should keep your skin free from dirt, but trying to scrub away acne may actually make it worse by irritating the condition. The bottom line is that acne may be aggravated by excessive dirt, grime, and sweat, but hygiene doesn’t cause acne in the first place.

And now for the facts

What does influence acne are your hormones and your genetics, so let’s start with hormones. Acne is caused when your sebum (oil) glands in your skin become clogged with bacteria. Androgens, which are primarily male hormones, exist in both sexes and cause your sebum pores to enlarge and become more active, which can lead to acne.

This explains why puberty, which is characterized by hormone surges in both boys and girls, is rife with acne as their sebum glands become overactive. Once you pass through puberty, your hormones level off, but women continue to experience smaller fluctuations with their menstrual cycles, which is why adult women are more prone to acne.

Adults only

With a few facts and myths put to rest, it still doesn’t answer the question about why you’re still getting acne in your 30s. While researchers are still trying to pinpoint the exact cause of acne, they have uncovered a few factors that contribute to the condition in adults.

Leading the charge, just as in your teens, are your hormones, especially among women who experience fluctuations throughout their reproductive years. As well, for women or men who are taking hormones for contraception or as part of hormone replacement therapy, acne can be one of the side effects.

Interestingly, stress appears to be associated with acne, and for people in their 30s, there’s ample stress to be had. Between building careers and families, it’s a busy time and there doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day, which leads to stress.

Genetics also play a key role in whether you develop acne, so if your immediate relatives have struggled with bad acne, the odds are that you will, too, even as an adult.

Other contributors to acne include certain medications, as well as underlying medical conditions, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, which leads to increased androgens in women.

Taking action

Acne is a frustrating condition to deal with, but not an impossible one. We have several great treatments here at our practice that includes prescription medications and topical creams. You can do your part by using only a mild cleanser on your face when you wash and avoiding makeup or lotions that clog your pores.

If you’re plagued by adult acne, please give us a call so we can help you clear up the condition as quickly as possible. Or you can use the online scheduler found on this website to request an appointment.

6 Surprising Causes of Adult Acne

What causes adult acne?

The reasons for adult acne are numerous but rest assured, it’s not likely from eating chocolate or greasy food. In men, the causes of adult acne are normally the same factors that cause teenage acne. However, in women the causes are more complicated. Most of the time adult acne is due to one of the following factors: 
 
Fluctuating hormones. Hormonal factors related to estrogen and progesterone are common in female acne, including changes in hormones due to pregnancy and menopause. Circumstances such as starting, stopping, or changing a birth control pill or IUD can cause or worsen acne. Acne can even occur months after this change. Female adult acne often has “flares” or breakouts that can be traced back to certain times of the menstrual period.  
 
Stress. Research shows a relationship between acne and stress. When we experience stress, the level of acne-causing hormones called androgens increases, stimulating oil glands and hair follicles that contribute to acne.  
 
Skin and hair products. Not all skin care products are created equal. Read the labels and look for words like oil-free, non-comedogenic, or non-acnegenic. These terms mean the products won’t clog pores or stimulate excess oil production. Make sure your face wash, moisturizer and sun block contain these phrases.  
 
An underlying medical condition. In a small percentage of patients, acne could be caused by an undiagnosed medical condition. In women, a condition called polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) often underlies chronic or difficult-to-control acne. A dermatologist will take a careful history and perform an exam, including a possible blood test, to better identify underlying causes.  
 
Family history. That’s right, another thing we can blame on our genetics. If a close relative or family member has had acne, your acne may be genetically predisposed. The good news is that doesn’t mean it can’t be treated.  
 
Medications. Some medications have acne as a side effect that can either cause it or make it worse. A dermatologist will be able to determine if your medications are causing or contributing to breakouts. Common factors include steroid inhalers, birth control, and testosterone to name a few.

How To Get Rid of Body Acne

Is that a zit… there?! Whether it’s on your boobs, back or anywhere in between, body acne is the worst. Not to mention, dealing with below-the-chin bumps is a totally different beast than facial acne. So, while you may be a pro at treating your facial breakouts, you might need a beginner’s guide to all the other bumps on your bod. I talked to board-certified dermatologist and founder of SKINFIVE, Dr. Ava Shamban, to get the scoop on what causes bacne and other annoying body pimples — plus, how to treat and prevent future body breakouts.

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The Cause

Unlike regular acne on your face or chest, body acne is a whole different ball game. Depending on where on your body you’re breaking out, the cause of the blemish can totally change. “Sometimes it’s ‘pressure acne’ from your garments,” said Dr. Shamban. That means the pimples may be caused by friction, heat or pressure on your skin from tight pants or, say, a sports bra.

Of course, breakouts can also be caused by hormones because they effect how much oil your glands produce. So, the more oil your bod makes, the higher the chance you’ll have to deal with breakouts. During puberty and a few days before your period are when your skin’s oil levels spike and could most likely trigger a pimple.

The Treatment

Ready to zap some zits? Here’s your clear skin cheat sheet:

Boob acne, or Boobne

Sports bras, tight crop tops or even your favorite bralette can give you a serious case of boob sweat, which can lead to blemishes. Try to get out of your sweaty clothes as soon as you can and treat any chest flair-ups with a salicylic acid toner (like Neutrogena’s Oil-Free Stress Control Triple-Action Toner, $7.49, amazon.com). Use it at night to exfoliate and reduce oil build-up on the congested spots.

Back acne, or Backne

The struggle is real when it comes to back breakouts. Not only is it hard to apply treatment to your backside, but also the skin is thicker, making it difficult for acne-fighting products to soak in and start working. Back breakout can be triggered or amplified by your conditioner (especially if it’s an oil-based one), which can clog pores, too. Make sure to wash, condition and thoroughly rinse your hair before cleansing your body. Then apply an antibacterial benzoyl peroxide wash with a body brush (our fave is Proactiv’s Deep Cleansing Body Brush, $45, amazon.com). With the brush, scrub the upper shoulders to make sure any leftover conditioner residue is removed. Afterwards, opt for a lightweight zit-zapping spray such as AcneFree’s Body Clearing Acne Spray ($9.34, amazon.com) since it’s easy to mist all over your back.

Butt acne

Yoga pants and leggings are comfy, but wearing gym clothes all day can cause zits on your booty. “The tighter the material, the more likely you’ll have a breakout,” says Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi, Founder & Director of Capital Laser & Skincare.

The best way to treat flair-ups is with glycolic pads (like Nip + Fab’s Glycolic Fix Exfoliating Facial Pads, $12.99, amazon.com). The glycolic acid gently exfoliates and helps turn over skin cells on your bum. Avoid using a physical scrub down there since that can make acne worse. Also ditch your thongs and slip into a comfy pair of cotton undies. “Cotton is great since it lets skin breathe and won’t trap anything in pores,” says Dr. Hadley King, dermatologist at New York City’s Skinney Medspa.

Arm and Leg acne

First, when dealing with acne on your limbs, make sure it’s really a pimple. If it’s a tiny red or skin colored bump that’s painless, it may be keratosis pilaris or KP. KP tends to be on the backs of arms and legs and occurs when skin builds up around the hair follicle. It’s a genetic condition that runs in families, so there’s a chance you got KP from your mama. It’s also more likely to affect people with drier skin or eczema, so use a lotion with urea (like Eucerin Roughness Relief Lotion, $9.49, amazon.com) if your bod is on the dry side.

“But even if you don’t have eczema or dry skin, KP can still be happen,” says Dr. King. “If it does happen to you, treat it with a 12% lactic acid lotion,” says Dr. Tanzi. And, if it’s definitely a zit? Use salicylic acid wipes daily and opt for a pimple-busting wash in the shower.

Hear Are Some Products Dr. Shambam Suggests for Fighting Body Acne

Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion

Daily Deep Cleanser – Sensitive Skin Formula

Advanced Repair Dry Skin Lotion with Alpha Hydroxy Acid

Sonic Facial Cleansing Brush

Clairsonic

clarisonic.com

$99.00

SHOP NOW

When It’s Time To See A Doctor

If your skin hasn’t improved after four weeks of consistent use of over-the-counter treatments, book an appointment with your derm. Why? Body acne is much harder to combat than facial acne. Bodne tends to be more inflammatory (think: big red bumps or cysts instead of just blackheads), making it challenging for drugstore creams to clear everything up on their own—especially with severe breakouts. Also, your body is a much larger area compared to your face.

There are two main ways doctors treat body acne: Topical creams or oral medication. For milder cases, prescription level benzoyl peroxide creams or retinoids may do the trick. A retinoid is a treatment that has a high-level of vitamin A, which helps unclog pores. Aczone gel is another great option because it’s gentler on skin than a retinoid.

Still, it never hurts to see a doctor, so if you have any questions about your body acne, just make an appointment and see what your doc can do to help!

Carolyn Twersky
Associate Editor
Carolyn Twersky is an associate editor for Seventeen covering celebrities, entertainment, politics, trends, and health.

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8 Ways To Get Rid Of Chest Acne

Raise your hand if this sounds familiar: You throw on your newest sports bra/leggings set and feel jazzed to work out. But wait. You’ve got a prob. Once you’ve shimmied into your ’fit you notice a cluster of red zits on your chest. Ugh! Say hello to chest acne, friends.

Wondering what chest acne is exactly? According to Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC, chest acne is basically just the development of pimples on your chest, and it’s often a combo of all the good stuff: blackheads, white heads and red, inflamed bumps.

Okay, but how is this different from your regular acne issues? Well, it turns out that it’s not much different at all, actually. “In terms of causes, chest acne is the same as regular acne, but it’s just located on the chest,” says Miriam Vega Gonzalez, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. “It’s the same type of physiology—it’s clogged pores that sometimes get inflamed.”

So you’ve got a solid case of acne on your hands…err, chest. No need to fear. It’s very possible to get under control. Keep reading for eight ways to cure your chest acne for good, according to the experts.

1. Use an acne-specific body wash.

Start by tackling chest acne during your daily shower or bath. Instead of your usual body wash, Dr. Vega Gonzalez recommends using a salicylic acid wash (which removes excess oils and dead skin cells) if you’ve got a mild case of chest bumps. That being said, if you’re on the more inflamed side (think super red, clogged pores) consider choosing a benzoyl peroxide formula, which kills the acne-causing bacteria on your skin. Use the wash on any pimple-y area of your chest, let sit, then rinse. Easy!

Body Clear Body Wash

Neutrogena
amazon.com

$34.97

Benzoyl Peroxide Wash 10%

Dr Song
amazon.com

$21.96

2. Make sure to exfoliate.

Dr. Vega Gonzalez also suggests adding some exfoliation to your routine for a little extra ~oomf~. She says that it literally thins the skin, allowing for the excess keratin that’s clogging your pores to come out *for good*. According to dermatologist Shari Marchbein, MD, exfoliation is also great for treating the hyper-pigmentation on your chest once your acne is gone. (AKA, those leftover red marks that look like shadows.)

“Remember though, over-cleansing and over-exfoliating can irritate the skin and will trick your body into thinking it needs to produce more oil,” Dr. Marchbein says. “I recommend exfoliating no more than one to three times a week.” Noted.

Hydro Boost Exfoliating Cleanser

Positively Radiant Body Wash

3. Try a topical treatment.

Is the medicated body wash not cutting it? Take it up a notch. According to Dr. Zeichner, topicals such as over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and adapalene (which keeps skin cells from sticking together and clogging pores) can be useful in treating your pesky chest breakouts, too. Apply your formula of choice wherever you’ve got chest acne and let it dry before slipping on any clothing. Pro Tip: Benzoyl peroxide, while helpful, can stain your fabrics so make sure you’re wearing a light-colored tee once you put it to use.

Rapid Clear Spot Treatment

Neutrogena
amazon.com

$24.79

Incredibly Clear Acne Spot

Adapalene Gel

AcneFree
amazon.com

$8.99

4. Turn to prescription oral medication.

“In the office, when I see patients with acne on the chest or the back, I commonly discuss the use of oral medications along with topicals,” says Dr. Zeichner. “These patients benefit from the use of medications, which address the issue from the inside out.” Since the surface area of the chest is so big, Dr. Zeichner explains that sometimes it’s hard to fully treat acne through topical formulas or washes, especially if yours is a more serious chest-acne situation. Make an appointment with your derm to get your hands on a prescription.

5. Consider a “chest facial.”

Celebrity esthetician and skincare expert Renee Rouleau says that sometimes it’s necessary to have a professional perform extractions if there’s an abundance of non-infected clogged pores or bumps on your chest. Keeping the pores cleared out by removing debris stops new breakouts from forming, she explains. Extraction is usually partnered with a chemical peel that exfoliates the skin and loosens clogged pores so that blemishes are easily removed by the esthetician. That being said, if you can’t make an appointment with a pro, skip the extractions altogether (don’t try to pop on your own!) and opt for a just chemical peel. “I love to use a 20 percent salicylic acid peel on my clients that can help lift away discoloration from old acne scarring while helping to keep pores clear,” Rouleau says. There are plenty of at-home peel options in the form of resurfacing pads and dropper solutions, just don’t go overboard and use them more than once a week.

Glycolic Acid 40% Chemical Peel

Divine Derriere
amazon.com

$16.99

Glycolic Acid Facial Peel

InstaNatural
amazon.com

$21.97

6. Evaluate your post-workout routine.

Are you someone that likes to sit around post-workout? Look, I get it. I can get pretty lazy after a sweat sesh too. But trust, you def need to reconsider lounging in your soiled clothes. Dr. Marchbein recommends showering ASAP once you’re done working out. “Sweating and then staying in sweaty clothes can both cause and worsen body breakouts,” she says. “It’s important to wash both before and after exercising, or at the very least use gentle cleansing towelettes.” Bonus: Wipes are super easy to stash in your bag if you’re on-the-go. Just swipe along your chest, toss, and boom, you’re done!

Micellar Cleansing Towelettes

Burt’s Bees
amazon.com

$9.99

7. Check your lotions.

Naturally, you want your skin to be hydrated and hella smooth. That being said, if you’re prone to acne on your chest, you need to be a little more careful about what you’re putting on your bod. “Reading the labels is so important,” says Dr. Vega Gonzalez. You want to make sure that whatever you’re buying says “non-comedogenic” (aka it won’t clog your pores) or “oil-free” (if you have breakouts, your skin is already over-producing oil, so no need to add more).

Daily Moisturizing Lotion

8. Do

not pop your pimples!

I know it’s super tempting, but whatever you do, don’t pop! “As dermatologists we never recommend popping any pimples because that can lead to scars, more inflammation, and hyper-pigmentation,” says Dr. Vega Gonzalez. A mix of the treatments above should be enough to stop your chest breakouts, so do yourself a favor and just leave that whitehead alone. You’re welcome!

This article is part of Women’s Health 2020 Acne Week. Click here for more.

Madeline Howard
Editorial Assistant
Madeline Howard is the editorial assistant at Women’s Health.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io

90,000 Acne on the back: top effective methods of fighting

Why do acne and inflammation appear on my back? What is important to do in the first place to get rid of them? Dealing with an expert.

Maria Gershberg, dermatologist-cosmetologist, leading specialist of the Semeynaya clinic

The main reason for the appearance of acne on the back in adolescents and adults is excessive sebum production. The pores through which this sebum comes out to the surface of the skin are often clogged.In the blocked duct of the sebaceous gland, conditionally pathogenic propionibacteria acne is actively developing. And here there are both internal and external factors that can provoke this. Internal ones include: hormonal disorders, genetic predisposition, problems with the digestive tract, stress and sleep disturbance. To the outside: underwear and clothing made of “non-breathable” materials, improper skin care (for example, shower gel and body creams should not contain oils, a solarium (it is excluded for those who have acne, as UV rays provoke the appearance of acne).

First stage – examination

Still from the movie “Love and Steaks”

First of all, you need to visit a dermatologist who will carry out differential diagnostics and confirm that you really have acne. To do this, it is necessary to determine the type of rash and count the number of rashes.

Be prepared for the fact that an examination by other specialists, namely a gynecologist or urologist, endocrinologist, gastroenterologist, may be required for an accurate diagnosis and clarification of the primary cause of acne on the back.In some cases, an additional examination will be prescribed. This can be an ultrasound of the pelvic organs, testicles and prostate gland, adrenal glands, a biochemical blood test, a blood test for hormones in women on the day of the cycle.

The second stage – the choice of a method of combating acne

Still from the film “50 shades of gray”

Tablets

Depending on the nature of the rash and the number of lesions, the dermatologist will draw up an individual drug treatment regimen.It usually includes oral medications – antibiotics, retinoids, hormonal pills.

Drugs from the sulfonamide group may be prescribed (this is an extreme measure due to the extensive list of side effects). Sedatives and antidepressants are prescribed to reduce the effects of stress. If acne is the cause of the allergic reaction, then antihistamines will be chosen. To speed up the elimination of toxins from the gastrointestinal tract, sorbents (like Lactofiltrum and Polysorb) are useful.

Competent care

Here, products based on antibiotics, adapalene, benzoyl peroxide or azelaic acid will be important.They cope well with inflammation, reduce their number.

Do not forget about pharmacy products. There are even express remedies that quickly relieve itching, irritation and dry out the pimple a little.

Medical cosmetics for hygiene procedures are also selected. Habitual soaps, shampoos and gels are excluded. To cleanse the skin, you will need products with acids. In some cases, for additional disinfection, doctors recommend wiping the affected areas of the back with boric or salicylic alcohol.

Still from the movie “The Unstoppable”

Cosmetological procedures

Acid peels (based on glycolic, lactic and salicylic acids) will be effective. They work delicately with the skin, gently cleanse it and give good results after just one session. But for an ideal result, you will need to complete the full course – from three to eight sessions, which are important to do every seven days.

Laser peels and cleanings are also useful.They perfectly exfoliate the skin and remove all unnecessary things.

In addition, mesotherapy based on anti-acne cocktails is also useful. They include antibiotics, vitamins and various trace elements. Here, by the way, a system will also be needed: it is important to take a course of six to eight procedures.

90,000 Is it possible to squeeze acne and how it threatens

Modern tendencies to look decent in society often run counter to the preservation of health.Since adolescence, 95% of girls try to get rid of the hated rash. Pimples are peeled off with nails, pierced with needles – there are many ways to mock your face, absolutely not thinking about the consequences. If you conduct a survey “why are acne crushed?”, The answer will be one: ugly. Meanwhile, a seemingly innocent occupation with a certain localization of the rash can even lead to death. It is necessary as often as possible to convey to children (and adults) information for consideration, whether to squeeze acne or get rid of them with safe methods.Facial care must be competent and safe!

Types of acne

Acne, or acne, is an inflammatory disease of the skin appendages (sweat and sebaceous glands, hair follicles). This problem is in 1st place in terms of prevalence among all skin diseases, since the glands begin to function actively even in newborn children, and end up working towards a ripe old age.

In women, this problem occurs more often, but at 10-12 years old, boys and girls have a rash with about the same frequency.The overwhelming amount of pathology is genetically determined: a certain set of genes are inherited from the parents, which are responsible for the quality, quantity and structure of the sebaceous glands and for their sensitivity to external and internal influences.

Depending on the depth of the skin lesion and the presence of inflammation, the main types of acne are distinguished:

• White eel (milium): Pimples in the form of grains of rice. The element of the rash is located in the upper layer of the skin; it is a dense cyst of the sebaceous gland.The nodule is painless, up to 3 mm in size.
• “Black eel” (open comedone): well-known blackheads. In the enlarged pores, sebum, dust, and makeup residues accumulate. The glandular discharge is initially white, oxidizes and darkens under the influence of air.
• White (closed) comedones – the same black, but before oxidation. Due to the clogging of the pore with a thin layer of the epidermis, its contents accumulate inside, a protrusion is formed – a tubercle, determined by touch.The color of the lump does not differ from the surrounding skin or may be lighter in color.
• Papula: Its predecessor is a closed comedone. The secretion of the glands accumulates in the pore and does not find a way out, and the inflammatory cells delimit it from the surrounding skin. A dense nodule of 1-3 mm is formed, it can become inflamed during injury (one of the reasons why acne cannot be squeezed).
• Ulcer: an inflamed nodule. The glandular secret suppurates, an inflammatory “roller” forms around – redness.Pus is visible in the center of the pimple; may manifest as severe pain.

Why pimples cannot be squeezed out

Any of these elements is a signal of some kind of malfunction in the body, be it a hormonal surge during puberty or pregnancy, or a serious pathology. Squeezing acne is a direct path to skin diseases, and later to systemic diseases. A rash can form in any area where sebaceous glands are present. In terms of their content, the scalp, the skin of the forehead, wings of the nose, chin and cheeks are in the lead, there are also many glands on the back and chest.

You cannot press acne of any localization: this injures the skin, microorganisms harmless to intact skin are brought into the wound from dirty hands. With weakened immunity, this can lead to sepsis, the principle “we treat one thing, we cripple the other” will work. Squeezing pimples on your nose means doing cosmetic damage to yourself with your own hands. Often, at the site of the rash, purple-cyanotic spots or scars are formed, which also does not add beauty.

Girls especially love to squeeze black pimples, supposedly cleanses the pores.Not only are antiseptic rules rarely followed, the pimple is usually picked out in all possible directions. The vascular network is well developed on the face, so the appearance of an abscess near the eye after squeezing out acne on the chin is far from uncommon.

The space between the nose and the lips deserves special attention: the so-called “death triangle”. There are frequent cases of inflammation of the meninges and death after squeezing out even small pimples in this area.A feature of the nasolabial triangle is a direct vascular communication with the structures of the brain, cavernous sinuses. Blockage of these tiny vessels with pus, which certainly in small quantities enters the bloodstream after pressure on the pimple, leads to a cerebral infarction. To crush purulent pimples in a triangle is to play Russian roulette with death. The answer of dermatologists to the question “is it possible to squeeze acne” – categorically not!

What to do if not squeeze out

The best option is to leave the rash alone.It is strictly forbidden to try to squeeze out elements that are manifested only by redness: instead of letting the pus rise and come to the surface on its own, the contents will go deeper into the skin, which can cause inflammation to spread through the subcutaneous tissue. If a pimple gets in the way, you need to treat it with a cotton swab with special drying and disinfecting preparations (calendula tincture, hydrogen peroxide, pharmacy talkers, etc.). With severe pain and the location of the abscess in the nasolabial triangle, be sure to consult a doctor and not self-medicate.

A healthy diet will help get rid of blackheads, since the skin is the mirror of the intestines. Excess fat in the diet is excreted from the body in all possible ways, primarily through the sebaceous glands. More fruits and vegetables, less fatty and sugary foods – and the skin will return to normal, if acne was not caused by hormonal changes. In this case, it is necessary to undergo a complete examination and treat the disease itself.

Professional cosmetics against acne will become not only an opportunity to get rid of the hated problem, but also maintain a healthy skin condition, meeting all its needs.

Doctors unanimously say: do not touch your face with your hands! The less dirt and germs you put on your skin, the better it will cleanse itself. It is important to remember: wherever a pimple pops up, you should not fight the signals of the body. It is enough to find the cause of the failure and get rid of it.

How to get rid of acne on the back?

Beautiful and Successful advises how to get rid of acne on the back.

Acne on the back: causes

Naturally, without knowing the cause, it is difficult to cope with the consequence. If we want to understand how to get rid of those damned acne on the back, we need to understand what brought them there 🙂

Acne on the back appears just like anywhere else. First, there is an increased production of sebum. Then this fat clogs the duct of the sebaceous gland. Bacteria enter this plug. The result is inflammation, that is, a pimple!

Therefore, the cause of acne on the back can be any intervention – external or internal – that provokes the production of sebum and infection.You can easily understand why there are acne on your back specifically in your case, if you read what are the reasons for the appearance of acne on the back, and analyze the information.

• Acne on the back: external causes

For some of us, acne on the back appears only in summer or only in winter. Why?

• In winter, the back under your clothes often sweats, and if you wear synthetic clothes, it also does not breathe well. The effect is that your pimples multiply in this “greenhouse”.
• In the summer, we not only sweat, but also sunbathe, and the abuse of sunbathing stimulates the production of sebum!
• Poor hygiene is also a cause of back acne.Your back may need some extra care!
• Often, acne on the back itches, and we, of course, pick and scratch them – just not noticing it, and sometimes purposefully scrub and peel 🙂
• However, inflamed acne reacts with even more inflammation, and it can end very sadly.

• Acne on the back: internal causes

• Hormones that provoke the production of fat, and in some cases it becomes so thick that it clogs the ducts of the glands, and then acne is just a stone’s throw away.Most often these are teenage hormonal storms, but we women also have hormonal disruptions caused by pregnancy, abortion, irregular menstruation, or PMS.
• Stress is a very powerful cause of acne not only on the back, but also on other possible spots.
• Various endocrine disorders. Perhaps you have a disease that you do not even suspect about, and the body signals you about it with acne on your back. Hear it!
• Disorders in the digestive system.Anything can be here – constipation, dysbiosis, unhealthy diet … For example, the abuse of sweet, fatty and alcoholic drinks can cause acne on the back.
• Decreased immunity. Because of this, any little thing can cause illness. If you get colds all the time, then don’t be surprised why there are acne on your back!

How to get rid of back acne on your own
The treatment plan for back acne is as follows:

• Analyze the causes of back acne and select those that may apply to you.
• Try to get rid of back acne on your own – for example, by wearing natural fabrics and adjusting your diet.
• If ​​after a month the picture has not changed, consult a doctor.

Nutrition for acne on the back

• To get rid of acne on the back, try to eat healthy, that is, exclude from your diet fatty, fried, sweet and alcoholic, lean on fruits and vegetables, and also follow a water diet.
• Buy yourself a special vitamin complex for the skin.Typically, such a complex includes vitamins A and E, folic acid and zinc.

Hygiene

How to get rid of hated acne without hygiene? That’s right – no way! Therefore, try to wash your back regularly, ideally shower in the morning and evening.

First wash your hair, and then your body so that hair products do not fall on your back – what if they clog your pores and cause your acne on your back ?! If your pimples on your back become inflamed, then in no case rub with a hard washcloth or peels! But it is very necessary to gently massage the back with a soft washcloth.Equally important is what you wash your back with and how you spread it later.

Naturally, the usual body lotion creams will have to be abandoned.

If possible, visit the Russian bath or Finnish sauna regularly (ideally once a week). Steam with oak brooms – oak strengthens the skin and helps it cleanse.

During treatment, wear looser clothing than usual, and completely avoid synthetics that are adjacent to the skin.

Tan for acne on the back

Whether tanning helps get rid of acne on the back is another question.Someone considers it almost a panacea, since ultraviolet light gives the skin vitamin D and kills germs, and also makes the skin coarser and evenly colored (that is, acne on the back becomes less noticeable). So, perhaps, it makes sense to go to the solarium, just do not get carried away, because tanning is harmful!

Remedies for acne on the back

You can use these remedies if acne on your back does not bother you too much. If your back is covered with large, inflamed pimples, do not hesitate – contact a specialist!

Care program.

• To get rid of acne on the back, we often wash with special products, and after washing we spread with special compounds.
• Once every 2-3 days, we either do a mask for acne on the back, or take a bath. How to wash
• The simplest thing is to take care of your back skin in the same way as for acne on your face, that is, wash your back with purchased face products for acne, then apply a toner and cream.
• It is very important to use tools of the same series so that there is no conflict between components.
• But the back has a large area, and you may find it expensive to spend precious washes on it.
• Then buy tar soap – often it shows very good results in treating acne on the back, as tar is a strong antiseptic, which is used for many skin diseases.
• Yes, it doesn’t smell very pleasant, but you can wash in 2 stages: first with tar soap, and then with your favorite shower gel with a pleasant smell 🙂

You can wash your body and back, and at the same time scrub with such a remedy for acne on the back, like ordinary iodized salt with soda.Salt perfectly cleanses the body, so there is no point in taking an extra wash. Buy fine table salt, mix 2 parts of salt with 1 part of baking soda, add a little shower gel or cleanser (you can take soapy foam, but it takes a long time), a little water, mix into a gruel. Massage the mixture onto wet skin. Start from the back – when you have treated the whole body, you can already rinse off. The most persistent can hold this mixture on the back for 15 minutes.

How to spread

Very popular remedies for acne on the back, which can be found in the pharmacy.They are inexpensive and easy to prepare, but not always convenient. You can buy any disinfectant at the pharmacy – metrogil, chlorhexidine, salicylic acid, boric alcohol, chloramphenicol, furacilin, 3% hydrogen peroxide, calendula tincture on alcohol – and wipe your back with this solution 1-2 times a day.

As soon as the solution dries, spread with synthomycin liniment, zinc paste or sulfuric ointment. Unfortunately, these funds do not bring a quick effect – it will only be visible after a few weeks.

Potassium permanganate – More effective when it comes to treating back acne. However, for this to be effective, the solution must be fairly saturated. It is most convenient to apply it topically on the back. However, firstly, you can overlook – undissolved crystal can burn the skin. And secondly, potassium permanganate stains the skin a dark color. That is, this is not your option if you dream of an open evening dress!

Quite an interesting remedy for acne on the back – a mixture of baby powder and 3% hydrogen peroxide .The components must be mixed so that a sour cream is obtained, and applied to the back after each wash.

Many people familiar with aromatherapy know how to get rid of back acne with Tea Tree Essential Oil . Yes, there are ready-made creams with tea tree oil, but do you know how much it actually contains? Therefore, we take oil, take our favorite acne cream, generously add oil to it, mix thoroughly and use it for health!

An interesting recipe for acne on the back – cream with mummy .You can buy mummy tablets at a pharmacy, or you can order mummy in sachets on the Internet (the latter is much more effective). We take a jar of cream, add 5 grams of mummy or 5 mummy tablets to it, mix and insist for a day, after which we use it after washing. You don’t need to rub in this mixture – just apply a thin layer of mummy cream.

Masks and baths for acne on the back

And again, salt, only sea! We take a bath with sea salt for acne as follows: add 500 grams of sea salt to the water at a temperature of about 38 degrees, mix and take no more than half an hour.

Want to get rid of acne on your back as soon as possible? – take this bath every day! You can add herbal decoctions to such a bath – chamomile, calendula, string – or your favorite essential oils.

Another effective remedy for acne on the back is a turpentine bath, which improves blood circulation and disinfects our acne.

Masks for acne on the back are effective, but, you must admit, they are uncomfortable, because it is not always possible to apply them on the back with high quality. However, if you do decide to give it a try, why not? Clay or sea mud masks are very effective, you can add tea tree oil to them.They are made in about the same way: the mixture is applied on the back, covered with plastic wrap (so that it does not dry out, and there was a sauna effect), and lasts for about 15 minutes.

90,000 Scientists have found out why not all teenagers have acne

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Scientists have found out why not all teenagers have acne

Scientists have found out why not all teenagers have acne – RIA Novosti, 03/07/2019

Scientists have found out why not all teenagers have acne

Bacteriologists from California have found out why some teenagers never encounter acne and acne, while others cannot get rid of them.Description … RIA Novosti, 07.03.2019

2019-03-07T17: 30

2019-03-07T17: 30

2019-03-07T17: 30

science

adolescents

us

health – society

health

biology

bacteria

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MOSCOW, March 7 – RIA Novosti. California bacteriologists have figured out why some teens never experience acne and pimples, while others cannot get rid of them. The real culprits of acne are described in JCI Insight. Even the tidiest person’s skin is home to countless bacteria, fungi and other microcosm. Some of them do not in any way affect the appearance and health of a person, while others are even beneficial, killing harmful microbes.However, harmful germs can accumulate in the sebaceous glands and cause inflammation, causing acne, acne, and other types of rashes. In recent years, physicians and biologists have become actively interested in how the characteristics of the body and various external factors (for example, deodorants) affect the composition of the microflora and the likelihood of developing acne. Liu and his colleagues have been struggling for many years to solve an interesting riddle related to acne and eels. The suspected culprit of their appearance, bacteria of the type Cutibacterium acnes, are present on the skin of almost all people, and often in significant quantities, but only a few develop rashes.In addition, experiments on mice show that the introduction of these microbes into the sebaceous glands and the upper layers of the skin does not lead to the formation of any noticeable acne and acne. This led many scientists to look elsewhere for the cause of the rash – for example, in small differences in the functioning of the immune system in different people. By analyzing the results of these experiments, Californian biologists drew attention to what distinguishes human skin from the outer covers of mice. This is a thick layer of sebum that the human body begins to produce from adolescence – just when the first acne appears.The authors of the article resorted to a simple, but very original method: they created a kind of synthetic analogue of this fat by mixing wax, cholesterol, some fatty acids and squalene (one of the main products of the sebaceous glands). After covering the skin of mice with identical DNA, Liu and his colleagues began injecting Cutibacterium acnes cultures into the skin and monitoring the development of events. This trick worked – in some cases, the mice actually began to develop acne that did not disappear for many weeks.More interestingly, this was not always the case – some strains of acne pathogens had almost no effect on the condition of the skin. After analyzing the DNA of good and bad varieties of microbes, scientists found that the former are indeed more common in adolescents and adults suffering from acne and acne, and the latter – in healthy people who are not familiar with this problem. On the one hand, this suggests that the rash is caused by microbes, and not problems with immunity, and on the other hand, it indicates the possibility of getting rid of acne by selectively eliminating bad strains of Cutibacterium acnes.

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