Acne, acne, acne. If they are not on your face they are on your chest, if they are not on your chest they are on your back and sometimes even your butt! You just can’t get rid of them, huh. Pimples have to be one of the most challenging things to treat no matter where they appear. One of the worst things about them is that they can happen at any age for a variety of reasons.

The good news though is that you can get rid of them and here’s how.

1. Exfoliate regularly

Just like the face, your back has more sebaceous glands than any other part of the body. Exfoliating regularly helps remove dead skin cells that pile up to cause acne. To do this use a gentle exfoliating scrub with ingredients such as salicylic acid to remove extra dirt and oils from your skin. Remember to be gentle and don’t rub your skin raw as this might increase inflammation.

2. Wear clean loose-fitting clothing

Excessive sweating and bacteria trapped by tight clothing can lead to blocked pores and cause bacne. Tight clothing may also irritate the sensitive inflamed skin. Therefore try putting on fabrics such as cotton rather polyblend fabric.

Dirty clothes can also harbor sweat, oil and dirt further irritating the skin and contributing to the development of acne. Therefore try washing clothing like your bra immediately after wearing.

3. Shower after workout

Letting sweat and dirt sit on your skin after a workout can be a big contribution to back acne. Therefore shower as soon as you work out and wash the sweaty clothes as well. The type of body wash you use is also a factor to consider. Make sure your body wash contains salicylic acid, glycolic acid and lactic acid that help remove dead skin cells which clog your pores and cause acne.

4. Use the right moisturizer

Applying moisturizer will soothe and repair your skin therefore you don’t need to give up your moisturizer to reduce your acne. You can simply just use the right moisturizer. Just make sure you use non-comedogenic ones which won’t clog your pores. Acne-prone skin also needs to be moisturized so cells can continue to turn over rather than dry out and clog pores. Some oils might also cause acne therefore switch to light creams with ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid and glycolic acid.

5. Stay away from the sun

Getting sweaty due to warm weather can stimulate sebum production resulting in body breakout. UV rays could also darken acne scars in the same way they make your skin look tanned. Therefore try applying non-comedogenic sunscreen with SPF of 15 and above topped with an oil-free lotion to protect your skin from sun damage and avoid clogging your pores.

6. Don’t pick on your pimples

Just like acne avoid picking on your bacne or any other body acne. This is because picking can cause spread of bacteria and cause more pimples. The skin on your body also heals slower than the skin on your face therefore this might lead to spotting and scarring.

7. Keep hair off your back

Long hair may add oil and dirt to the skin on your back causing outbreaks. Try to wash your hair regularly and put it in a bun or ponytail during sweat sessions. Also try to prevent conditioner and shampoo from running down your back since they contain products that can cause clogging of pores. You could also shower immediately after washing your hair to prevent the products from seeping into your skin.

8. Visit a certified dermatologist

If you’ve tried all these things and still struggle to get on top of your breakouts then it is advisable to see a professional. A skin specialist will evaluate your back and determine whether you have normal acne or a medical situation then prescribe a medication to control the situation. Treatment might include creams, antibiotics, oral acne medication or even other solutions like chemical peels, laser therapy or steroid injections depending on the severity of the bacne.