Causes of Back Acne

Nearly everyone has to deal the effects and fight against acne at some point during their life. Whether it is one “little zit,” or a fight against severe acne breakouts, all acne develops in the same way. However, there are many variables that lead to variety of acne types, whether considered whiteheads, blackheads, cystic or appearing on the face, neck or even the shoulders, back and buttocks.

Back acne is experienced more frequently than people realize, and is quite common in athletes and during certain seasons of the year. As one might suspect, certain clothing and skin irritants will often lead to back acne, regardless of personal hygiene, diet or overall skin health. Like acne on the face, there is no absolute cause, or cure for back acne, yet there are several known and theoretical factors that contribute to back acne breakouts.

Causes of Seasonal Back Acne

What is seasonal back acne? As the term suggests, it is acne that occurs during a specific season. Many individuals who breakout on their back will do so during certain times of year. Oftentimes, individuals who live in warm, humid climates, will have problems in the summer, while individuals who live in harsh, winter-weather climates will have problems in the winter. Why?

There is no known cause to seasonal acne other than the potential of sweat and clothing becoming irritants and aiding in the clogging of healthy skin pores. In humid climates, tight clothing will often trap sweat to the skin. As it dries, it can become a growth source for skin bacteria, and tight clothing will disallow for skin to naturally shed. These two factors will lead to clogged pores and an inflammation of the sebaceous gland—ultimately, back acne.

Similarly, heavy clothing during the winter months actually causes the body to perspire, while walking, driving or simply sitting in an office. As that sweat dries, the same effect takes place. Winter weather is also a culprit for drying out skin, causing it to shed rapidly. Another opportunity for pores to become clogged on the back, where acne can frequently develop.

More Causes of Back Acne

As mentioned, many athletes also suffer from back acne, especially seasonal athletes who wear shoulder pads beneath a jersey, causing the skin to heavily perspire. The sweat often dries on the skin, and is continually rubbed by the pad, creating the perfect environment for pores to become clogged with dead skin cells that have been shed.

A warm, moist environment is also an excellent growth environment for the bacteria that develops and lives on everyone’s skin. Once combined with dead skin cells, and the skin’s natural oils, specifically sebum from the sebaceous gland, the pore will become clogged, slightly infected and thus an inflammation develops.

For football, hockey and lacrosse players who spend hours a day in pads, it is best to shower immediately after a practice or competition, lightly exfoliating the area of the shoulders and back with an abrasive cleanser or an anti-bacterial soap and a lightly abrasive sponge. This will aid in the process of shedding the dead skin cells, so they won’t become problematic in clogging pores.