Certainly, one of the most noticeable part of the human body is the skin, which is why people - especially women are always hell-bent wondering when they see some disturbing spots. The skin has three main responsibilities namely: (1) protection from bacteria and infection, (2) temperature control and (3) perception. Skin is also the source of body’s natural production of vitamin D, achieved and circulated through the organ’s exposure to sunlight.

Acne is the most common skin problem among people of all ages. Body parts which are often attacked by acne are the face, neck, chest and back. Back acne, also referred to as “bacne” is very rampant and most of the time, harder to prevent and treat than facial acne. Of all the body parts attacked by acne, our back produces the most number of oil in terms of quantity. Back acne is associated with several cysts and nodules. For patients experiencing back acne, topical over the counter treatment may not be sufficient in dealing with this disorder. However, for some who has mild to moderate back acne, skin care regimens enriched with glycolic acid increase chances of improvement. For better and speedy results, choose skin care product regimens with 8-10% glycolic acid content than the usual. In treating back acne, glycolic acid will work well with products enhanced with alpha hydroxyl and benzoyl peroxide.

Note: using all 3 aforementioned substances at the same time is not advisable to be applied on the face and neck part. Only body parts with tough skin-type can injure such strong medications, like our back.

Back To Back Talk

Believe it or not, carrying back packs also contributes to your back acne dilemmas. If facial acne is to no-scrubbing technique, back acne is to no-back rubbing tips! Heavy back loads brings forth painful back rubs which can cause irritation and redness. It may sound a bit crazy, but in treating back acne, health skin experts advises that one may begin learning the art of carrying a shoulder bag instead.

Let the Pores Breathe

Wearing tight-fitting clothes traps sweat in the skin, causing them to give birth to back acne. This can be prevented as long as you shower after you’ve had intense perspiration.

Back Facial

Back acne should have a follow up treatment with salicylic acid soap after washing your back. As this exfoliates the skin and helps bring back moisture to prevent back acne.

Like the other types of acne, science knows no particular reason or cause of back acne. Skin care experts have studied and observed that back acne begin to grow around puberty stage where the bodies, specially that of the men secretes hormones which produces excessive oil that results to pimples, blackheads, whiteheads and zits.

The Stages of Back Acne

Stage 1: Inflammation of a clogged pore with acne results to a pustule.
Stage 2: Pustule gets infected and turns into papule.
Stage 3: Papule’s infection becomes deeper, acne now causes cysts (the worst form of acne that may lead to acne scars).

Since our back produces twice as much oil as the face does, stronger solutions are prescribed to treat back acne. With more and more skin care breakthroughs, science is teaching us to pay much attention on preventive measures for back acne, rather than fretting about its roots and cause.

Copyright 2005 Nora P. Dyson, acne-treatment-insider.com