If you thought there’s nothing worse than face acne, think again. We hate to break it to you, but those pesky red boils aren’t just limited to your face — they can show up anywhere on your entire body! Yes, you read that right.
Body acne is real, and it can appear anywhere from your chest to your legs and everywhere in between. Body acne is quite common amongst men and women and they are as annoying as the pimples on your face. So, what causes them and is it possible to treat body acne at home?
We’ve got all the info you need about these body zits and how to get rid of them, so keep on scrolling to know more.
What Causes Body Acne?
We all know that the main culprit of face acne is clogged pores which is due to the buildup of excess dead skin cells, dirt or acne-causing bacteria on the skin. Well, it’s the same for body acne. This is known as regular body acne and it is the most common type of skin acne.
Along with the above factors, pimples can also form on the body when there is pressure or heat applied to the skin. This means that when your garments are too tight, or the material is not breathable or skin-friendly, it can cause friction. Along with friction, the combination of trapped heat and sweat leads to skin irritation and inflamed red bumps. This type of body acne is known as Acne Mechanica and is common amongst athletes, students, and soldiers.
Another cause of body acne is hormonal changes. Sometimes, hormonal changes can lead to the disruption of the androgen levels, which in turn, affect the oil glands causing them to produce more sebum. Just like facial acne, too much oil in other parts of the body can also cause clogged pores, resulting in hormonal acne. Men don’t need to worry about this type of acne as their hormone levels are usually stable. The same can’t be said for women. Pregnancy, menstruation and even menopause can all cause hormonal imbalance which may lead to hormonal acne. So, if you’ve noticed the growth of these zits on your body a few days before you start your menstrual cycle, don’t be alarmed as it’s completely normal.
Treating Body Acne At Home
Body acne is not limited to a specific area, it can happen anywhere from your chest to your boobs to your legs and arms. Luckily, there are many at-home treatments or over the counter products that help tremendously when it comes to shrinking these pesky little zits. If the problem persists even after weeks of these home treatments, it’s time to see an expert. Keep on reading to know more!
Boob Acne or Boobne
If you are someone who used to suffer from boobne a lot but noticed a decrease during the lockdown, then your sports bras or bra straps are to be blamed. The main cause of acne on or around the boob and chest area is due to the accumulation of sweat caused by your innerwear which leads to skin irritation and blemishes.
But you don’t need to throw your favourite bras away in order to get rid of boob acne. If you are constantly exposed to humid climate or love exercising, make sure to get rid of the sweaty clothes on your body ASAP. Salicylic acid is one of the most loved ingredients when it comes to treating flare-ups on the face or on the body as it is known to exfoliate the skin and unclog pores. Using a toner which is enriched with this ingredient on the infected area is the most effective way to zap your boobne away.
Back Acne Or Backne
Back acne or pimples on the back are pretty common amongst men and women and can be treated with a little lifestyle change. Sweat is one of the main contributors of acne so it’s important to take a shower and cleanse your body thoroughly after every workout to eliminate the accumulation of dirt and sweat.
If you haven’t invested in a body loofah, it’s high time you do. Loofahs with long handles make it so much easier to get rid of any impurities that might have settled on your back which are otherwise hard to reach with your own hands. Aside from this, opt for loose-fitting clothes, get rid of any leftover hair conditioner that might have settled on your skin. Yes, hair conditioner can clog pores! Use tea tree oil cleansers or lotions if you want to tackle backne effectively.
Difference Between Acne And Pimples
Arm Acne
Are the pimples on your arms, bringing you down? Well, firstly do not touch them! Continuous picking, popping and probing can make matters worse and even leave you with scars. If it’s just one or two zits you’re dealing with, then you could use lotions and creams that contain acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to treat them. If your entire arm is full of acne, then you might want to see a dermatologist. This same rule applies to leg acne as well.
Note: Before applying any product, first, make sure it’s a pimple. Aside from acne, keratosis pilaris — a common genetic skin condition — is another skin issue that appears on areas like the upper arms, thighs, or buttocks which is caused by the buildup of keratin. These tiny boils or bumps resemble acne but do not cause any discomfort. If you’ve noticed these painless bumps, don’t panic, they are usually harmless and disappear after the age of 30.
Butt Acne
Can’t wear your hot shorts on a warm summer’s day ‘coz of the red boils on or around your derriere area? Well, if this is the case, then you’re most likely suffering from folliculitis or butt acne. Butt acne happens when fungi or bacteria gets trapped in the little tiny hairs on your butt which results in inflammation of the hair follicle. This leads to the growth of red boils on the skin and since it’s due to bacteria, these boils can spread and might even become itchy or painful.
So, what triggers butt acne? Well, staying in damp, sweaty pants for long hours and continuously wearing tight fabrics like your yoga pants * the price to pay for a little bit of comfort* can lead to the growth of bacteria. To avoid this issue, simply keep your skin clean and dry all the time, switch out your thongs for comfy cotton panties, do not exfoliate the area as it could worsen the condition and keep applying anti-bacteria or non-comedogenic products to reduce these boils.
If you’ve noticed a pimple or two on these parts of your body, there’s no need to go into panic mode. Just like facial acne, with the right measures and precautions, body acne is treatable too.
