Not only appearing on the face, acne can also appear on other body parts, including on the back. If you have back acne, there are several ways to get rid of back acne that you can try. These methods include natural methods or with drugs from a doctor.
The causes of acne on the back are generally no different from the causes of acne on the face or other parts of the body. Acne can appear when the follicles or hair growth sites on the skin are clogged with dead skin cells and the skin's natural oil or sebum.
The blocked follicle can then swell and become inflamed when it becomes infected with bacteria. This condition is called acne.
In addition, there are several factors that can increase the risk of developing acne on the back or other parts of the body, such as hormonal changes, stress, side effects of certain medications, frequent sweating, and genetic factors.
How to get rid of acne naturally
Back acne that is small and painless can usually be treated with several natural ways at home, namely:
1. Clean yourself after activities
Excessive sweating, for example after exercise or overheating, can build up and clog the hair follicles. This can make acne on the back easy to grow. Therefore, take a shower immediately and don't forget to clean your back, especially after sweating a lot.
2. Wear clothes that absorb sweat
So that the body does not sweat a lot and stay cool, use clothes with materials that can absorb sweat, such as cotton. Avoid clothes made of synthetic materials, such as polyester, as these don't absorb sweat well.
In addition, you also need to change clothes when the clothes are wet with sweat. If worn for too long, clothes that are wet with sweat can cause acne on the back to appear easily.
3. Apply acne medication
Acne on the back can be treated with over-the-counter acne medications, such as acne medications that contain glycolic acid, salicylic acid, or benzoyl peroxide.
These medications are available in the form of creams, ointments, or gels. Apply acne medication on the back with acne 2 times a day or according to the product instructions.
When applying acne medication to your back, wait a few minutes for the medication to absorb before you put your clothes on.
4. Keep your hair clean
Long hair that flows down to the back can actually increase the risk of back acne. This is because dirt and oil in the hair can clog the pores of the skin on the back.
Therefore, if you have long hair, you are advised to tie your hair more often during activities and wash your hair regularly.
5. Reduce consumption of certain foods
Foods that contain lots of sugar or have a high glycemic index are thought to cause acne to appear more easily.
Therefore, to treat back acne or elsewhere, you are advised to limit the consumption of foods with a high glycemic index, such as white rice, white bread, noodles, french fries, sweet snacks, such as cakes and ice cream, and soft drinks.
How to get rid of back acne with medicine
If the natural methods above are not effective for getting rid of acne on your back or if the pimples that appear on your back are quite large and painful, you are advised to consult a dermatologist. Don't wait for a back pimple to break out as this can leave acne scars that are difficult to remove.
To treat stubborn acne on your back, your doctor may prescribe the following acne medications:
- Retinoid creams, such as tretinoin or isotretinoin, for severe back acne
- Antibiotic cream, ointment or gel
- Family planning pills
In addition, the doctor may also inject corticosteroids into large, inflamed back acne or cystic acne.
When back acne appears, avoid habits that can aggravate acne, such as squeezing pimples, wearing clothes that are too tight and don't absorb sweat, and wearing a backpack because it makes your back sweaty and damp.
If back acne does not subside, festers, or appears along with other complaints, such as fever, you should consult a dermatologist to get the right treatment.