Acne is a very common skin condition, affecting almost ten percent of the world’s population according to the British Journal of Dermatology. Acne occurs when dead skin cells and oil plug the hair follicles of your skin, and although it typically affects the face, it can occur in almost any part of the body. One common place where people suffer from acne is on their backs, and while this is usually hidden from view, it can still be quite frustrating if left unchecked. The good news is that acne can be treated, and the best way to do so is by knowing what caused it in the first place. Some of the leading causes of back acne include:
Carrying of heavy loads on your back
Carrying heavy loads like backpacks on your back regularly is among the major causes of back acne. The load tends to press on the skin, thus leaving the pores closed. Once this happens, the pores will be unable to secrete excess oils or dirt. The pores will, therefore, end up clogging, which can lead to an acne breakout.
You should, therefore, try to avoid carrying heavy backpacks as much as possible. Remember, your back skin requires room to excrete dead cells and oils, and the only way it can do that is when the pores remain open.
Exercising a lot
Exercising is a great way to keep yourself physically fit, and all adults are encouraged to follow the guidelines for physical activity from the NHS. The problem comes when you exercise too much without taking care of your skin afterward. In most cases, people tend to neglect washing their backs or sometimes take too long before going for a shower.
If you don’t wash up thoroughly or take too long to shower after your exercise, you may end up having back acne. You should thus make sure you shower thoroughly and immediately after exercise. That is the only way you will leave your back fresh and your skin pores open.
Indulging in sugary diets
A diet high in sugar is also among the leading causes of back acne, with studies showing an association between high glycemic load diets and the prevalence of acne. An example of sugary food is white bread, cakes, sweets, and candy, among many others. When you consume sugary food, your insulin levels tend to spike, which then leads to inflammation of your skin.
Try to limit the amount of processed sugar in your diet. Instead, consider eating more fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as other foods that are not so quickly converted to glucose by the body.
Wearing tight clothes
Wearing very tight clothes is an increasingly common fashion, particularly among women. Tight clothes tend to cover the skin, thus not giving it any breathing room. When that is accompanied by friction, you might end up developing back acne.
Instead of wasting a lot of time and money on acne treatment, it’s better to avoid it completely by replacing your tight clothes with looser, more comfortable ones. Ensure you wear clothes that leave room for your skin to perform its duties, such as secretion of sweat. That way, you will not have to suffer from the nuisance back acne.
Not performing skin exfoliation when needed
Skin cells age, and eventually die, with time. If these dead skin cells are not properly sloughed off from the surface of your back, they can block your pores. If that is the case, your pores will not be able to secrete waste appropriately, and so it will build up and lead to back acne.
The only way to prevent such a scenario is by exfoliating your skin regularly. There are so many causes of back acne, but the ones mentioned above are known to be the most common. Make sure you keep your back acne-free by following the advice in this article. Finding out the particular cause is also crucial in deciding upon the most suitable acne treatment.