It’s Not Just for Faces: Bacne 101

Back acne. While it’s not usually as upsetting as a breakout on your face, bacne can still be quite annoying, especially during the summer months when more of our skin is on display. 

The term bacne is commonly used to describe breakouts that occur on your back and shoulders. While clogged pores are ultimately to blame for acne that appears anywhere on your body or face, back acne causes and treatments can differ slightly.

Back acne causes

Like the face, the upper half of the body has many sebaceous glands, which means that pores are more likely to become clogged with dead skin cells and excess sebum. Three key factors that contribute to such pore-clogging are:

• Sweaty stuff: One of the most common back acne causes is sweaty clothes, sports equipment and other gear that can trap sweat and bacteria, which ultimately lead to breakouts. 

• Dirty stuff: Even if you haven’t been sweating profusely, dirty towels and clothes can become a breeding ground for bacteria, which is then transferred to your skin every time you use or wear them. 

• Tight, uncomfortable stuff: Whether it’s a shirt that’s way too snug or the straps from a super-heavy backpack, friction or pressure on the skin, especially when combined with heat or sweat, can irritate and inflame pores. 

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How to get rid of back acne

The first step in back acne treatment is to minimize triggers by changing out of sweaty clothes right after a workout, shower as soon as possible afterwards, and wash towels more frequently. In the shower, use a body wash that contains salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. Then cover active breakouts with a facial mask or targeted acne treatments that are specifically designed for larger surface areas. If your back acne is mild, these few small changes should improve the condition within just a few weeks.

Did you know that Mighty Patch Surface covers XL-sized breakout areas and clears back acne in hours? The super-adhesive hydrocolloid patch has tapered edges that fit the contours of your body, so it stays right where you put it, no matter what. Bye-bye, bacne.

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