We’re all familiar with facial acne, but body acne is an equally irritating skin condition that can affect anyone of any age, and it’s especially frustrating in the summer when you want to show a little more skin.
The prominent doctor Dr. Ginni Mansberg, best known as the GP on Sunrise, Australia’s leading breakfast show, told FEMAIL that body acne may require treatment other than facial spots to combat it.
And unlike acne on your face, there’s a good chance pimples on your body are caused by the type of clothing you wear, so a wardrobe adjustment could be key.
Here, Femail reveals everything you need to know about body acne in odd places and shares Dr. Mansberg’s advice on how to deal with it.
The famous cosmetic doctor and founder of ESK Skincare, Dr. Ginni Mansberg, reveals why body acne can appear in other, more unusual places on the body. “Bacne” is the word used to describe pimples or spots on the back (stock image)
BAKNE
“Bacne” is the word used to describe pimples or spots on the back. While it’s common among teenagers, many adults experience it too.
It’s a sign of more severe acne and because it’s in a hard-to-reach area, it can be more stubborn than facial acne.
dr However, Mansberg, the founder of ESK Skincare, explains that we treat acne the way we would treat facial acne.
She says every single pimple arises from the same problem of a buildup of oil and excess skin cells clogging pores and causing inflammation.
This is a perfect breeding ground for bad bacteria like Cutebacterium acnes (or C. acnes).
How to treat it:
Upper body (trunk) acne tends to accompany more severe forms of facial acne.
“Given the propensity for scarring, I recommend you see a dermatologist as soon as possible,” she said.
“While a skin care regimen can help, it’s usually not enough.
“And the longer that severe acne goes untreated, the greater the risk of acne scarring — and that’s a lot harder to fix.”
Wearing clothes that allow the skin on your back to breathe is important, as is making sure you change your clothes regularly after exercise or when you’re particularly sweaty.
dr Mansberg also recommends gentle skin care with a soap-free cleanser, niacinamide, and topical retinal.
She says: “You can try a topical leave-on mask with salicylic acid like the Hydroxy Overnight Mask or a dissolving microneedle patch like Spotless for pimples that popped up despite your prescription meds.
“Do not press on throbbing nodules or cysts. Some ice or a cold compress can help reduce pain, redness, and swelling, and relieve symptoms.
“Ice can be wrapped in a cloth and applied to clean skin for 30 seconds at a time.”
ACNE ON THIGHS
Acne on thighs is not actually acne, but a common condition called folliculitis, in which hair follicles become inflamed. It’s a common irritation for cyclists (stock image)
“Pimples on the thighs are called folliculitis,” explained Dr. Gini. “This is a common skin condition in which hair follicles become inflamed.”
This means that the condition is not acne as such. Although people who get acne frequently are more likely to get folliculitis.
It is caused by a range of infectious agents, from yeast to bacteria, with golden staph being the most common culprit. But infections are not always involved.
You can get it from clogging the pores, for example from occlusive materials or even skin care like heavy moisturizers.
It can also be caused by skin irritations, some medications like steroids, and various skin diseases.
How to treat it:
Make sure your shorts and pants are not too tight and allow the skin to breathe.
dr Mansberg says she often sees these types of marks on cyclists who love their Lycra.
She says: “Untreated, this folliculitis can turn into saddle sores caused by a combination of friction, heat, pressure, moisture and bacteria in the saddle area.
“Once you’ve finished your ride, step into loose natural fabrics like cotton.”
This helps reduce the buildup of sweat and bacteria in the area, but if that doesn’t work, see your doctor.
dr Mansberg would recommend using an antiseptic detergent such as 1 percent triclosan or 2 percent chlorhexidine.
She says if that doesn’t work, she should continue with a short course of antibiotics.
BUTTOCK ACNE OR ‘BUTTNE’
Folliculitis of the buttocks is often associated with folliculitis of the thighs. Simple things like good personal hygiene are most effective in treating it. You can also apply an antiseptic wash (stock image)
This is another example of folliculitis, only in an adjacent area.
It often occurs in conjunction with thigh folliculitis.
Folliculitis on the buttocks is very common but probably one of the most embarrassing spots for pimples, especially this time of year when people show their buttocks more in swimwear, says Dr. mansberg
How to treat it:
All principles of treating thigh pimples apply, such as: B. Applying an antiseptic wash.
Good personal hygiene, including daily showering, hand washing, and short and clean nails, helps manage folliculitis.
She says: “If you get a real flare-up, it could mean you have a bacterial infection. Consult your doctor.
“Some dermatologists recommend that you wash your towels, washcloths, and sheets frequently and not share them with other family members.”
ACNE ON BREAST
If you notice pimples on the chest with something on the tops of the breasts, you can assume it is a bacne. according to dr However, Mansberg should have acne under the breasts, particularly if large cysts and nodules should be examined (stock image)
According to Dr. Ginni unusual and you should have her checked out.
“If it’s just chest acne, with something on the breasts, then you can assume it’s bacne or trunk acne and treat it like you’re treating your face,” she said .
But spots under the breasts, especially when large cysts and nodules should be examined.
She explains that hiradenitis suppurativa is a condition that causes boils and abscesses in areas with sweat glands and friction, such as B. in the armpits, between the buttocks and under the breasts.
“It needs medical treatment. Don’t mess around with skincare,” she said.
How to treat it:
To treat acne under the breasts, you should wash the area twice a day with mild soap, preferably unscented.
It’s important to rinse off sweat, so shower after a workout or a period of heavy sweating — especially in warmer weather.
There are treatments you could experiment with like tea tree oil, topical zinc, and birth control.
like dr Mansberg explains, however, if acne develops as boils and abscesses and is painful, it’s important that you seek medical advice.
BODY ACNE EXPLAINED: What Causes It, Who Does It Affect, And How To Treat It?
A recent Korean survey found that acne on the body is very common. The most common place is the trunk, the torso, especially in young people.
In fact, 52 percent of teens with acne on their face also get acne on their torso.
Trunk acne most commonly affects the upper back (52 percent), followed by the upper chest (30 percent), lower back (22 percent), shoulders and upper arms (16 percent), and finally the neck (8 percent). Cent).
The worse the acne on your face, the more likely you are to get body acne as well.
Acne on your body is the same acne as the spots you get on your face.
We know that acne is a hallmark of teenage years. But it turns out that about 50 percent of adults also have acne.
That number has been creeping up on us really slowly over the past 30 years, but it’s up about 70 percent in the five years leading up to the pandemic.
Adult acne and adolescent acne are both essentially caused by the same 4 factors:
- High oil or sebum production
- Excess skin cells combine with the oil and become trapped in follicles
- The blockage becomes a breeding ground for C. acnes bacteria
- inflammation
However, acne is not just acne. Acne can range from a few blackheads and white heads to a face full of smaller pimples as well as larger, painful, throbbing nodules and cysts.
All acne, whether mild or severe, will benefit from vitamin A, which is now considered the mainstay of acne treatment.
Vitamin A helps increase skin cell turnover to prevent excessive build-up of dead skin cells.
It is also comedolytic (pimple busting) and anti-inflammatory. Of the over-the-counter retinoids, retinal (aka retinaldehyde) is the most potent and least irritating form of vitamin A.
Prescription retinoids often cause irritation, redness, dryness, and even peeling.
Hydroxy acids that gently exfoliate and unclog pores also help reduce excess skin cells and oil that clog pores and cause breakouts.
Vitamin B3 AKA Niacinamide is anti-inflammatory and antibacterial and reduces sebum or oil production. It can also improve important skin barrier function by preventing water loss through the epidermis (the outer layer of skin).
Given that many people with acne have dry skin underlying their overproduction of oil, this can also help with acne.
It is not recommended to use toners, alcohol-based products or scrubs as they dry out the skin and cause further inflammation.