-
All kinds of acne has been around since humans and bacteria have co-existed--which has been forever. However, acne medications to treat certain kinds of acne were discovered well after that.
Benzoyl peroxide was said to have acne-reducing effects in 1930 and is still popular today. There are a few oral antibiotics that are said to help different body acne, such as tetracyline (1954) and minocycline (1969). X-rays were said to have some sort of effect on acne in 1902.
Today, there is still no cure for body acne. -
Back acne is caused by the sebaceous glands. These glands become more active during puberty, producing more sebum--which is an oily liquid secreted by the body. This liquid causes the hair follicles on your skin to become clogged, which prevents dead skin cells and sebum from escaping. This causes a bacterial infection. The result is acne in the form of a pimple, blackhead, whitehead or entire body acne.
Excessive sweating and use of cosmetics such as thick, scented lotions without showering can also cause an upset in your skin, as these can cause clogged hair follicles as well. -
Preventing back acne is not as easy as it sounds, depending on the severity of the acne and genetics. Acne could be prevented simply by wearing looser clothing or even by showering after excessive sweating. It could also be prevented by washing with body soaps that do not contain lots of oil, as your body is already producing more than it should. Oil-free soaps are a good choice. If skin is rather dry, you may also want to try an oil-free moisturizer to bring back moist skin but avoid clogging pores.
Water-based products are the best options for those suffering from back acne (even shampoos and conditioners, as they run down your back when rinsing) instead of oil-based products.
When drying yourself after a shower, do not rub the towel against your back; this will irritate your skin and acne even more. Instead, pat dry or allow yourself to air-dry while standing in the shower with the towel wrapped around your body.
Drinking water on a daily basis (eight 8-oz. glasses) can help your skin tremendously. Water naturally detoxifies your body and moisturizes, and can help your health overall.
Taking a supplement of vitamin A or eating lots of foods rich in this vitamin will help protect your skin and ultimately reduce the production of sebum.
To prevent scarring from an acne breakout, don't pick or scratch at the affected area. Wear looser clothing and keep benzoyle peroxide cream on the area. Vitamin E oil can greatly reduce the risk of scarring if used on the affected area two to three times daily. -
Misconceptions about acne aren't unusual. There are many myths associated with acne, none of which have been successfully proven.
Body acne is not caused by dirty skin. Someone with squeaky clean skin can still get acne breakouts. In fact, someone who has acne and continuously washes her body can make the breakouts worse. Excessive cleansing of the skin causes dry skin--and even more irritation and inflammation.
Chocolate does not cause body acne. In clinical studies, no food has ever been proven to be connected with acne. However, certain foods for certain people may cause acne. It has nothing to do with foods in general, however. It's basically how your body reacts to certain foods. For example, while greasy foods may cause body acne for one person, it may not in another.
It is not true that you cannot wear makeup. There are many cosmetics made for acne-prone skin that are oil free and water based that will reduce the risk of clogging pores. -
There are many different types of acne, and different parts of the body where acne can occur based on sebum production and possibly genetics.
A whitehead is a tiny white spot on the skin that is formed when sebum and bacteria cannot escape the pore.
A blackhead is a black spot on the body that occurs when the pore opens and allows the sebum to escape. Once the sebum hits air, it turns a black color. The contents inside of a blackhead take some time to come to the surface, so they may last for awhile.
A papule is a tiny red bump that is caused when the walls in the hair follicle break or become damaged. Pores then become irritated and inflamed.
After the papule, or "zit," has formed, next comes a pustule. This is caused after the white blood cells come to the top of the skin.
