How to get rid of acne

on the back
Medically reviewed by Amanda Caldwell, MSN, APRN-
C — Written by Caitlin Geng — Updated on December
16, 2021

What is it? Getting rid of back acne

Causes Summary

Acne is a common condition that

typically develops in areas of skin
with a lot of oil-producing glands,
such as the face, chest, and back.

Back acne, or “backne,” may involve

blackheads, whiteheads, or pus-filled bumps
called cysts.

The treatment for back acne depends on its

severity and may involve over-the-counter
(OTC) products, prescription medications, or
treatments such as light therapy.

In this article, we look at what back acne is,

what causes it, and how to treat it.
ADVERTISEMENT

What is back acne?

Carmen Jiménez/EyeEm/Getty Images

Back acne refers to pimples or cysts on the

back. It can involve:

Blackheads: Each bump has a dark dot

in its center.

Whiteheads: Each bump has a white

center.

Papules: Each small bump has no

distinct “head.”

Cysts: These painful or tender lumps

look similar to boils and are a severe
form of acne.

Back acne is not a distinct medical condition,

but it has some unique challenges,
compared to acne on the face. For example,
it can be more difficult to see and reach back
acne in order to apply treatments.

Why does acne occur on the back?

Like the chest and face, the back has a high

density of sebaceous glands. These produce
sebum, a waxy substance that keeps the
skin healthy.

Sebaceous glands are attached to hair

follicles, or pores. If sebum or dead skin cells
clog a pore, it can cause a blockage. This
blockage may lead to inflammation or trap
bacteria in the pore. This is how acne lesions
develop.

A type of yeast, Malassezia, can also cause

lesions that look similar to acne. The yeast
tends to overgrow in humid, sweaty
environments. Because the back is often
covered by clothing, backpacks, slings, and
other thing, it can be an ideal environment
for this microbe.

If the yeast gets into the hair follicles, it can

cause a condition known as pityrosporum
folliculitis. And if antibacterial treatments
have not worked for back acne, the person
may have pityrosporum folliculitis instead.

MEDICAL NEWS TODAY NEWSLETTER

Stay informed on skin remedies

with our newsletter
Open your inbox to care tips, research, and
treatment updates on skin conditions such
as eczema, acne, and more.

Enter your email

SIGN UP NOW

Your privacy is important to us

Getting rid of back acne

There are several ways to approach back
acne, including:

OTC treatment

According to the American Academy of

Dermatology Association (AAD), people with
mild-to-moderate back acne may benefit
from combining acne-friendly skin care with
OTC products that target the lesions.

A basic skin care routine for acne typically

includes:

Cleanser

Wash the skin with a mild, nonirritating

cleanser every day and after getting sweaty.
Avoid harsh soaps and astringents, and do
not scrub the acne — this increases the
inflammation.

When acne flares up, people can use a

benzoyl peroxide wash. This ingredient kills
bacteria and helps reduce lesions. It works
best when a person leaves the wash on their
skin for a few minutes before rinsing it away.
Look for a concentration of around 5.3%, as
higher amounts can cause irritation.

A person may also need to reconsider

shampoos and other hair products. If any of
these are harsh, they may irritate the skin as
they run down the back in the shower.

Medicated nonprescription creams and

gels

To reduce acne, a person might also try a

skin care product that contains 0.1% retinoid,
in addition to using a benzoyl peroxide face
wash. Many OTC creams contain retinoids.

Another option is adapalene gel. Doctors

recommend using this after showering and
before going to sleep.

An applicator can help a person apply

treatments to difficult-to-reach parts of the
back.

Moisturizer

If the skin on the back feels dry or tight,

particularly after showering or bathing, a
person might use an oil-free moisturizer.
Look for products that are labeled
“noncomedogenic.” This means that they do
not clog pores.

Sunscreen

Sun exposure can make acne lesions darker

and more noticeable. It can also cause them
to last longer. Use a noncomedogenic
sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or above
whenever the back is exposed.

Prescription drug-based treatment

If home care strategies and OTC treatments

do not help, and especially if acne is severe,
speak with a dermatologist, who might
recommend:

Prescription-strength topical
products: The doctor may prescribe
stronger versions of retinoid or benzoyl
peroxide products, or antibiotic creams,
for example.

Oral contraceptives: When acne

seems linked to the menstrual cycle,
these may reduce the amount of oil
that the skin produces.

Oral antibiotics: Drugs such as

doxycycline and erythromycin can
reduce the amount of acne-causing
bacteria on the skin. A dermatologist
recommends the shortest possible
dosage because overuse can lead to
antibiotic resistance, and antibiotics
can kill healthy bacteria in the gut.

Isotretinoin: This potent medication

treats all four causes of acne: excessive
oil, inflammation, clogged pores, and
bacteria. It is extremely effective —
around 85% of people who take it
experience permanent clearing of acne
after one course. However, it can cause
severe side effects, such as suicidal
thoughts, aggression, difficulty moving
the limbs, and a serious skin rash.

Antiandrogen therapy: This involves

taking medications that suppress
testosterone, such as cyproterone
acetate and ethinylestradiol or
spironolactone. Dermatologists may
consider it for females who do not
respond to oral contraceptives or have
polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Light and laser therapy

A dermatologist may recommend and

perform laser or light therapy for acne. This
involves exposing the skin to a special type
of light during regular sessions for a set
period.

There are different types of light therapy:

Red, blue, or infrared light therapy can

treat pimples but not whiteheads,
blackheads, cysts, or nodules.

Photopneumatic therapy can help

unclog pores — treating whiteheads
and blackheads but not cysts.

Photodynamic therapy can treat severe

acne very successfully, but it is more
expensive.

At-home light therapy devices can treat

pimples, but the light is less intense
than the one a dermatologist uses.

For lesions that leave noticeable scars, a

dermatologist can use procedures such as
laser treatments, microneedling, and
chemical peels to reduce the appearance.
ADVERTISEMENT

Mille Fleurs Spa

Hydrafacial and Pedi $1000

Theraputic Massages, Seaweed Body Wraps,
Microblading and Medical Aesthetic
treatments

Call Directions

Prevention: Skin care

The acne-friendly skin care routine outlined
by the AAD and summarized above can help
prevent back acne, as well as treat it. A
gentle cleanser, noncomedogenic
moisturizer, and adequate sun protection
may be all a person needs.

Other skin care strategies that can prevent

or reduce acne and skin irritation include:

regularly washing bed linens, towels,

and pillowcases

regularly washing clothes, particularly

tight-fitting ones, such as bras

avoiding things that rub against the

back, such as backpacks

exercising in loose-fitting clothes made

from natural fibers, such as cotton

showering and changing clothes

immediately after exercise or using
cleansing wipes

washing workout clothes and

equipment after each use

What can cause back acne?

Acne affects many people. Certain factors
that can contribute to or raise the risk of its
development include:

Puberty

Teenagers often have acne, possibly due to

the increase in testosterone that occurs
during puberty. Testosterone plays a key
role in stimulating the growth and
development of the testicles and penis in
males and maintaining bone and muscle
strength in females.

Experts believe that testosterone causes the

sebaceous glands to overproduce sebum,
increasing the likelihood of blocked pores.
Acne may improve when the person enters
adulthood.

Family history

A person is more likely to develop acne if

one or both parents have or had it.

If both parents had acne, a person may be

more likely to develop it at an early age. And
if a person’s parents had acne as adults, the
person may also be more likely to have it
during adulthood.

Sex

Females are more likely than males to have

acne, possibly due to the influence of female
sex hormones, which fluctuate during the
menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and
menopause.

In addition, PCOS, which affects females and

causes high levels of testosterone, can lead
to oily skin and acne, among other
symptoms.

Other triggers

Other factors that may cause acne or trigger

outbreaks include:

certain medications, such as steroids

and some forms of hormonal birth
control

cosmetic products that are not

noncomedogenic

regularly wearing items, such as

backpacks, that rub or irritate affected
areas of the skin

There is also some evidence that dietary

factors can worsen or improve acne.
According to the AAD, some studies have
shown that a low glycemic index diet
reduces acne. This involves eating “slow
burning” carbohydrates, which do not cause
blood sugar to spike.

Also, some studies have found an

association between cow’s milk and higher
rates of acne. However, the link is unclear,
and there is no evidence that other dairy
products, such as yogurt or cheese, cause
acne.

Summary
Back acne, or backne, occurs when dead
skin cells and oil from the sebaceous glands
block pores, causing inflammation. It can be
harder to see and reach acne on the back in
order to treat it. However, a range of
effective OTC and prescription treatments
are available, and using an applicator can
help.

To prevent acne and help reduce it, a person

should adopt a regular, gentle skin care
routine. It is also a good idea to change out
of sweaty clothing, change bedsheets
regularly, and avoid harsh soaps and other
harsh products that touch the skin.

In addition, back acne can worsen if a

person regularly wears things that rub
against it, such as a backpack.

Speak with a dermatologist about severe or

persistent acne. Some acne-like lesions
result from different health issues, which
require different treatments.

Read the article in Spanish.

Last medically reviewed on December 16, 2021

Dermatology
Cosmetic Medicine / Plastic Surgery

! 11 sources

Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines

and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic
research institutions, and medical journals and
associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We
link primary sources — including studies, scientific
references, and statistics — within each article and
also list them in the resources section at the bottom of
our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure
our content is accurate and current by reading our
editorial policy.

Acne. (2014).
https://dermnetnz.org/topics/acne

Back acne: How to see clearer skin. (n.d.).

https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/acne/DIY/b
ack-acne

Can the right diet get rid of acne? (n.d.).

https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/acne/caus
es/diet

Causes – acne. (2019).

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/acne/causes/

Flasche, S., et al. (2018). Balancing benefits and

risks of antibiotic use.
https://academic.oup.com/jid/article/218/9/1351/
5033370

How long can I take an antibiotic to treat my

acne? (n.d.).
https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/acne/derm
-treat/antibiotics

Isotretinoin capsules (Roaccutane). (2019).

https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/isotretinoin-
capsules/

Lasers and light: How well do they treat acne?

(n.d.).
https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/acne/derm
-treat/lasers-lights

Pityrosporum folliculitis. (n.d.).

https://www.aocd.org/page/PityrosporumFollicu

Shannon, J. F. (2019). Why do humans get

acne? A hypothesis.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/p
ii/S0306987719308072

What can clear severe acne? (n.d.).

https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/acne/derm
-treat/severe-acne

# ! " FEEDBACK: $ %

RELATED COVERAGE

How to treat cystic acne

on the back
Medically reviewed by Stacy Sampson, D.O.

What are the best ways to get rid of cystic

acne on the back? Learn about treatments…
and home remedies to remove and prevent
cystic acne on theREAD
back.
MORE

What type of acne do I

have?
Medically reviewed by Susan Bard, MD

There are many types of acne lesions,

ranging from mild blackheads and…
whiteheads to more severe forms, such as
nodules and cysts. Learn
READ about the…
MORE

What you need to know

about acne
Medically reviewed by Cynthia Cobb, DNP,
APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP

Acne is a condition where oils glands of the

skin become clogged, forming spots,…
pimples, and sometimes cysts. Almost three-
quarters of all people…
READ MORE

Can dietary changes

help acne?
Medically reviewed by Natalie Butler, R.D.,
L.D.

Acne is a common skin condition. While

many myths surround the diet's impact on…
acne, some scientific evidence suggests that
a person may be READ
able to…
MORE

How do you get rid of

chest acne?
Medically reviewed by Cynthia Cobb, DNP,
APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP

A look at chest acne, a condition where acne

appears on the chest. Included is detail on…
when to see a doctor and lifestyle changes
that might prevent…
READ MORE

! "

Get our newsletter

Keep up with the ever-changing world of
medical science with new and emerging
developments in health.

Enter your email SUBSCRIBE

Your privacy is important to us

About Us Health Topics

Contact Us Health Hubs

ADVERTISEMENT &

Hydrafacial and Pedi $1000

Terms of Use Medical Affairs
Mille Fleurs Spa