Back Acne (“Bacne”): Symptoms, Causes & Treatment (2024)

FAQs

Back Acne (“Bacne”): Symptoms, Causes & Treatment? ›

It happens when sweat, oil, dead skin cells and bacteria get trapped in your skin's pores. Backpacks, sweaty shirts or sports equipment can create friction on your back and worsen back acne. You can treat back acne by keeping your skin clean and using acne-fighting skin creams.

Like all acne, back acne is caused by overactive sebaceous glands. These glands produce an oily substance called sebum, which helps keep skin healthy. However, too much sebum can lead to bacteria growth and dead skin cells, which can block pores in the skin.

Ingredients: “When looking for products to treat bacne, ingredients that exfoliate the skin, regulate oil production, and have antibacterial properties are crucial,” says Chacon. Harth and Chacon recommend looking for products containing salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or glycolic acid.

If you have acne on your back—or “bacne” as some people call it—you don't have to wait for it to clear on its own. Treatment and the right skin care can help you see clearer skin more quickly.

One of the main causes of body acne is the change and fluctuation in hormone levels. Androgens, such as testosterone, cause an increase in sebum production, cell activity, and bacteria resulting in acne. Testosterone is more prevalent during puberty when sebum levels spike, increasing skin oiliness.

A 2016 study found that people with acne have lower levels of vitamin D than those without the skin condition. This deficiency may be a factor in the development of acne. According to a study from 2014, Vitamin D also blocks P. acnes from affecting skin cells.

Acne Mechanica: This is one of the most common types of acne to develop on the shoulders and back. Caused by friction, acne mechanica is typically the result of ill-fitting clothing, exercise, and athletic apparel, but it can also be the result of something as simple as an improperly fitting backpack.

Acne effects around 90% of adolescents with the prime age across all genders being the teenage years of 14-19 years old. For people who have widespread acne that is classed as moderate to severe, more intervention in the form of acne treatments is often required.

Should you squeeze back acne? ›

Don't Squeeze or Pick Back Lesions

One bacne treatment that won't work: picking or popping a pimple, which can worsen any occurrence of acne and damage your skin. “The skin on the body heals slower than the skin on the face, and frequent picking can lead to brown spots and scars,” says Harth.

Potential scarring

Cystic acne is a serious skin condition. This type of acne can be more likely than other forms of acne to leave scars. Delaying treatment, picking at the skin, or popping pimples can all increase the risk of scarring.

Back acne, or backne, occurs when dead skin cells and oil from the sebaceous glands block pores, causing inflammation.

It's not uncommon to experience breakouts on your back, otherwise known as "bacne." This happens when pores become clogged with oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria. It can be further triggered by factors like sweaty workout clothing, backpacks or other gear rubbing against the area, fluctuating hormones, and diet.

Although testosterone doesn't directly cause acne, research shows that androgenic hormones like testosterone play a role in stimulating your body's production of sebum, meaning you may be more prone to developing acne when your testosterone levels are high.

According to Dr Godse, excess sebum production (seborrhea) — meaning, your skin produces an oily substance in excess mainly due to hormonal disturbances — not following a skincare routine or even a genetic predisposition could lead to the onset of recurring acne.

While it isn't quite as obvious as acne on your face, back and chest acne is still annoying and unsightly and, understandably, you just want it to go away!