Back Acne and Microdermabrasion

Back acne is found in teenagers and adults alike and like its description, occurs on the back. The major difference between back acne and those that appear on the face, chest or neck, is that they are much more severe, they cause more pain and are harder to treat. Some people claim that back acne can be genetically carried down family lines, this is true, but only to a certain degree.

To be completely frank, it is mainly due to an imbalance in the hormones in your body, as well as the environment in which your skin is exposed to. So for example, if you sweat a lot (hyper-hydrosis), or if you wear tight fitting clothes, there is a greater chance that you will get back acne. Therefore, if you generally do a lot of sports, then you are more likely to be victim of it.

All of this sweat and dirt mixes with the oil that is secreted by your sebaceous glands (sweat glands), and this clogs up the pores on your skin on your back, and this results in back acne. It is smart, and common sense to therefore make sure you are always clean and take showers regularly, especially after physical activity that has made you sweat. Unfortunately, in some people back acne can be very severe and infected. If this is the case, your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic such as tetracycline. Retin A cream or ten-percent benzoyl peroxide solution will also help in back acne that is difficult to treat.

In really severe cases, a drug called Ro-accutane can be used. You should be especially careful when using this drug, because in high doses over long periods of time, it can detrimentally affect your liver function. Many people question what surgical techniques are beneficial for back acne. Laser treatment is quite popular, however it can be quite expensive nowadays.

Microdermabrasion is another option that is also very popular. The use of microdermabrasion in clinics, and even the use of microdermabrasion home systems have helped back acne suffers immensely. Consider both of these techniques if you have chronic recurrent back acne. Like already said, if the acne is milder, make sure you control personal hygiene.

Instead of using normal soap, which can be irritant to the skin, try using baby shampoo, or a salicylic acid-based cleaner and use it to wash your body, especially after physical exercise. These solutions will kill the bacteria that are clogged up in the pores on the skin on your back, and so prevent eventual acne formation. After the shower, make sure you completely moisturize your back with an alpha hydroxyl base moisturizer. If it is difficult to get your hands to reach your back, try asking your partner or family member to help you to apply it after your shower, as many times as possible.

The cream will bring about exfoliation of the skin, and prevents dry skin, so it will also improve its overall longevity. Final preventative measures include wearing cotton clothes, and applying baby powder to your back to keep the skin dry when you are outside in the sun for example. Deodorants are not recommended, but anti-perspirants are effective while you are doing mild physical exercise.

But do not use it when undergoing heavy exercise, because the cooling effect of the sweat is very important during exercise, and it prevents you from getting a heat-stroke, especially in the sun. In conclusion, keep clean, keep clean and wash yourself regularly!.

Asanka Samaranayake (BSc Hons Neuroscience) and Darren Patten (Bsc Hons Surgery & Anaesthesia)have a specialist interest in microdermabrasion and provide you with an indispensable resource at Microdermabrasion Info. Net