How to Treat Back Acne

The dreaded back acne, also known as “bacne,” can be as unsettling for a teenager as the traditional facial acne. In certain cases, back acne may not be noticeable or considered a real problem, but in cases where teens want to wear tank tops, dresses that expose some of the back, or summer beach wear, back acne can be a noticeable concern. Fortunately, there are definitely ways to treat and even prevent back acne.

What Is Back Acne?

Back acne is simply body acne that appears on the back, and it is no different in substance than the acne that appears on the face, in most cases (there is a skin condition called acne mechanica that is caused by repetitive friction that is not the same as standard acne). If your child has significant outbreaks of acne on the back, you should treat it in a similar fashion as you would acne on the face, with some variations, as explained below.

Treatment for Back Acne

As with any acne, the first priority is making sure your child has good hygiene. This is important for general health and social benefits, in addition to helping with the acne issue. He or she should shower regularly, making sure to wash the back with soap and water and exfoliate if possible. Showering every day and after any activity that causes significant sweating should be sufficient. Sweating does not cause back acne but when combined with restrictive clothing, can cause dirt and oil to become trapped in pores, increasing the likelihood that acne will develop from those clogged pores. Many teens have problem skin, and simple washing may not be effective. In these cases, an acne treatment system incorporating benzoyl peroxide may be required. If you order an acne care system with benzoyl peroxide, remember you will need more than you would if you were merely treating the face, since you are treating a larger surface area. If your child is comfortable with it, you can help him or her apply the solution to the back, although the child should be able to cover most of the necessary area himself or herself.

More on Prevention and Treatment for Back Acne

Regular applications of benzoyl peroxide solutions to the entire area can get rid of current back acne faster and prevent new acne from forming. If it does not, and the condition seems to be severe, you may want to consult a dermatologist about antibiotics for acne. In many cases, however, the benzoyl peroxide is sufficient. It’s important to get a proper regimen down for back acne treatment. Your child should shower in the morning and then apply the solutions as directed, in order to avoid washing off the benzoyl peroxide. He or she should then apply again before bed. Acne on the back, like acne on the face, will not necessarily fade immediately, but after consistent treatment, there is a good chance your child will see positive results, and that acne will recur much less frequently.