The main cause of acne on the back is infection by the bacterium Propionobacterium acne, which multiplies rapidly and stimulates the production of oil by the sebaceous glands. There are different types of acne, depending on the activity of the bacteria. Subcutaneous pimples, or closed comedones, are internal cysts formed as a result of the accumulation of fat that cannot reach the surface of the skin due to clogged pores.
If the pores do open and an infection gets into them, the inflammatory process begins and a red pimple with an abscess forms. At first, the pus is white, but when it comes to the surface and comes into contact with air, it darkens. If you do not treat acne on your back, huge lesions appear.
One of the most common reasons is allergies to shampoos, soaps, washing powders, shower gels and masks. Unfortunately, modern cosmetics cannot boast of a natural composition. It contains all kinds of dyes, flavors and preservatives, to which particularly sensitive skin reacts. Ecology also does not add health, because the atmosphere contains many harmful substances that affect our appearance.
The situation is worsened by tight clothing, which compresses the skin of the back and disrupts normal blood circulation, and synthetic fabrics, which irritate the skin. And if you add smoking, alcohol abuse and an unhealthy diet with an abundance of fats and carbohydrates, it becomes clear why toxins accumulate in cells, causing skin rashes.
There is an easy way to get rid of acne on your back. You just need to eliminate the reason that caused them, if, of course, this reason is known. For example, you bought new clothes and you like them so much that you wear them without taking them off. Or you eat too much sweets, get nervous, drink beer, and work a lot. Or maybe you're on vacation and spend the whole day at the beach. Or you were on a hike where there was no way to wash properly. Temporarily return to your normal lifestyle and diet, get more rest, put aside your new blouse, stop taking the prescribed medication and stop sunbathing. Do an experiment. If the skin clears up, it means the cause was external.
Take a shower as often as possible, especially in hot weather and after exercise, because water removes dirt and dead cells from the body. Wash periodically with antibacterial soap, although cleansers with salicylic acid and cosmetics with tea tree oil provide the best results. If you have sensitive skin, stick to antibacterial soap. As for cosmetics, use the lightest possible products that are water-based rather than oil-based. Oily cosmetics are acne's best friend!
Cut your hair or put it in a bun to prevent it from falling down your back - this is very unhygienic. Give preference to clothes made from natural fabrics and change clothes more often if you are sweating. Acne is especially common in humid environments. Yes, carrying a spare set of clothes with you is very inconvenient, but being ashamed of your back is even worse...
This is the most difficult way to deal with acne, because everyone loves to eat, and giving up fatty and sweet foods turns into a powerful stress, especially for acne, which disappears very quickly after switching to a healthy diet.
Avoid sugar, white flour products, fatty foods, salted and smoked foods, potatoes and pasta. Include lean meat, lean fish, dairy, vegetables, fruits, cereals and whole grain bread in your diet. You will see the results in the mirror, not only on your back, but also on your face and waist. The main thing is, do not forget to take vitamins.
If the above methods did not help you, it is quite possible that the cause of acne is a malfunction in your body. Contact a dermatologist and therapist, and they, in turn, will, if necessary, refer you to other specialists - an endocrinologist, an allergist, a gynecologist and a gastroenterologist.
Even if no diseases are detected, the dermatologist will prescribe medicinal ointments and creams - antibacterial or with antibiotics. Sometimes oral tablets and laser procedures that destroy microbial foci are additionally prescribed. As a result, the skin is cleansed and acne gradually disappears. Peeling has almost the same effect, cleansing pores of dirt, dust and dead cells.
Treat your shoulders and back with calendula tincture, furatsilin, salicylic acid, potassium permanganate solution, boric alcohol and hydrogen peroxide. Medications with a drying and anti-inflammatory effect, such as zinc and sulfur ointment, are very helpful.
Signs and origins of oily facial skin
Oily skin is the result of overproduction of oil by the sebaceous glands. These glands are located under the surface of the skin.
Sebum is a substance made up of fats. It's not too bad as it protects and moisturizes the skin and keeps the hair on your head shiny and healthy.
Too much sebum, however, can lead to oily skin, which can lead to clogged pores and acne.
The occurrence of comedones (blackheads), fatty gland cysts, and seborrhea is also not uncommon. The skin is similar to an orange peel because it has pores.
An undeniable advantage for people with oily skin is that wrinkles begin to appear later.
The epidermis shiny from grease is an unpleasant phenomenon for its owners. Due to the excessive work of the fat glands, a rough, porous texture with an unhealthy tone and a greasy sheen is formed on the skin; the surface of the skin can be overdried, like parchment.
Genetics, hormonal changes, or even stress can increase sebum production.
Oily tissue on the face is localized in the T-zone: forehead, chin and nose. On the body, the greasy epidermis is located on the back and chest. The properties of oily skin also appear on oily hair on the head.
This happens for the following reasons:
- Genetically determined. Under these circumstances, the epidermis is oily throughout life.
- Adolescence. Teenagers are familiar with the manifestations of oily skin, which by the age of 25-30 becomes combination.
- Intensive work of fat glands. This is associated with an inherited predisposition to oily skin, disrupted processes in the gastrointestinal tract (cholecystitis, colitis, constipation), and hormonal changes. The reason for the excessive production of fat on the skin surface is diet (addiction to spicy, fatty, starchy foods, alcohol, soda), work at elevated temperatures, being in a room smoked by cigarettes, under UV radiation.
- Hormonal. This happens during puberty and the 2nd phase of the menstrual cycle. Hormonal disruption occurs during menopause, pregnancy, and stress. This also occurs due to treatment with hormones or their sudden use, or prolonged use of oral contraceptives.
- Disorders in the functioning of the endocrine system. This occurs when, with hypothyroidism, both dry skin and oily epidermis on the face are noted.
Reduced immunity also affects the appearance of the sebaceous surface of the epidermis.
Oily and dry facial skin. Benefits of Oily Skin
Oily facial skin can have its positive sides, although many people with this skin type only think of it as a disadvantage. The benefits of oily skin are obvious.
Pros of oily skin
Some people with oily skin may experience wrinkles and other signs of aging developing more slowly, or fewer of them overall. You can also look at moisture on your face as a factor in keeping it looking fresh, rather than thinking of it as an inconvenience.
Likewise, one can enjoy the fact that having oily skin means that one does not suffer from any of the unpleasant effects of dehydration such as flaking, cracking and bleeding.
Photo: kobieta.onet.pl
Dry skin is rougher and more expensive to care for than oily skin.
Comparison of oily and dry skin
One of the benefits of oily skin is that it may not age as quickly or as noticeably as dry skin. Although anyone can develop wrinkles, people with oily skin may be less likely to develop severe wrinkles.
In addition, the development of age-related wrinkles in such people may occur later than in those with very dry skin. Because of this, some people associate oily skin with the ability to look youthful longer. However, it is important to remember that skin oil may not always cause this effect.
Some include a fresh appearance among the possible benefits of oily skin. When a person has oily skin, their face often looks a little dewy, sometimes even called bright. Dry skin, in contrast, often appears dull.
In many cases, the key to achieving a fresh rather than greasy appearance is to use mattifying facial wipes or other products that don't strip the skin of its moisture but help control the amount of moisture.
Also, the main advantages of oily skin may include the fact that it has the opposite properties of dry skin. Dry skin is accompanied by a number of unpleasant problems, in particular, many people with dry skin experience flaking.
For some, the skin is so dry that sores and bleeding wounds appear on it, especially in winter. Likewise, dry skin can be very sensitive to natural elements such as wind. People with oily skin generally do not suffer from these effects.
Although the issue is controversial, some people believe that the benefits of oily skin include ease of care, as opposed to dry skin. They claim that there are many inexpensive products available for oily skin, while products for dry skin are often much more expensive.
In addition to this, some emphasize that there are medications that help reduce or control the body's production of sebum, i.e. substance responsible for skin oiliness.
Green pharmacy (5 healing herbs)
How to get rid of the problem at home? It is advisable to treat sebaceous skin with herbaceous plants.
The presence of flavonoids, tannins, saponins (nitrogen-free and alkali-free organic natural substances), silicic acid, plant hormones and microelements have a positive effect on the sebaceous epidermis.
- Chamomile is a natural antiseptic with anti-inflammatory effect. Its extract can cleanse and soften the skin surface of the face, restore elasticity and smoothness.
- Salvia officinalis has bactericidal, soothing, regenerating powers. Calendula officinalis has the ability to heal and restore damaged epidermis.
- Oak (birch) bark is famous for its antiseptic and tanning qualities. Tricolor violet extract is aimed at cleansing, stimulating metabolic processes and ridding the body of harmful substances.
- Green tea extract has the role of an antioxidant, which reduces the effect of free radicals on the skin.
- An extract from dandelion root increases the body's protective forces, helps in the functioning of the liver, gall bladder, and kidneys. The plant extract is involved in releasing the body from metabolic products, which has a positive effect on the surface of the skin.
Each patient selects an herb that is effective on the oily dermis individually. Replace water when washing with herbal infusions of chamomile, mint, nettle, and linden blossom.
Home Remedies
Washing
Rinse your nose with water frequently throughout the day. This keeps the skin hydrated and at the same time clears away accumulated dirt and oil.
Honey and orange peel
You can prepare a mixture of one teaspoon of honey and chopped orange zest. Apply to the surface of the nose and hold for a while. Then clean with a clean cloth or towel and rinse with water. Apply the product twice a week, which will help remove dirt and excess sebum.
Vinegar
Vinegar is effective in cleaning procedures. You need to dilute apple cider vinegar in water. Soak a cotton ball in the solution and wipe the surface of the nose. Leave the product to act for 10 minutes, then rinse with cool water. Vinegar helps remove excess oil and also prevents dirt from reaching the surface of the skin.
Lemon juice
You can also cleanse the surface of your nose with lemon juice. In fact, any citrus fruit will help remove excess sebaceous gland secretions.
Oils for oily skin
Oil formulations are used instead of night cream. They are applied in a thin layer to a clean skin surface.
Oils act on pores clogged with dirt and hard fat, regulate sebum production, and affect cell regeneration.
Which oils to use? Here is their list:
- Hazelnut in pure form or as part of other oils. Under the influence of the product, the surface of the skin is cleansed, smoothed and restored, the pores are tightened.
- Grape seeds, after which the surface of the dermis looks moisturized and without noticeable pores.
- Berries, buds, black currant leaves - the product is endowed with antibacterial properties, the skin after it becomes elastic, the tone increases.
- Sesame seeds, which influence the normalization of the functioning of the sebaceous glands, narrowing of pores.
- Almond kernels, which cope with cleaning pores and irritation of red spots.
- Tea tree leaves - oily composition saves from acne and normalizes the condition of the dermis.
- Lavender restores dullness to the skin and has an anti-inflammatory effect on the dermis.
Use hazelnut oil (50% of mixing) with the addition of 10% of other selected oils. If you take essential oils (from sandalwood, rosemary, juniper, bergamot, grapefruit, cedar), add 1-2 drops to the base oil composition.
Cosmetic treatments for oily skin
What to do if your skin is oily and acne appears? To eliminate the problem of oily skin, it is permissible to include the following measures:
- using scrubs (from almond, apricot, salt, clay, etc.), this will even out and cleanse the skin;
- the use of peelings with acids (lactic, fruit, pyruvic, trichloroacetic, glycolic, etc.), this will reduce pH, regulate sebum production and reduce the fat content of the dermis;
- consumption of masks (mud, clay, seaweed based), and this will disinfect, soothe the skin surface and remove excess fatty deposits.
It is recommended to contact a cosmetologist in a specialized center to carry out professional cleansing of the epidermis.
TOP 5 treatment methods
Skin with excess oil content that is prone to peeling requires additional treatment prescribed by a dermatologist or cosmetologist.
The course of treatment is determined by a specialist after receiving the results of a blood test (glucose, hormones), familiarization with hereditary predispositions, medical history, etc.
The skin surface can be cured of oiliness using hardware measures:
- Laser biostimulation. The beam induces photochemical transformations in the dermis. During the sessions, the epidermis is smoothed, renewed and regenerated. Its elasticity and tone change for the better.
- Microdermabrasion of the dermis. Based on the action of an abundance of microscopic particles. They will polish the skin without pain, eliminate wrinkles, tighten pores, and reduce stretch marks.
- Iontophoresis. It acts on the sebaceous dermis with microcurrents. As a result, blood flow to it, nutrition and microcirculation improves. The treatment restores the skin surface due to deep diffusion of nutrients and eliminates oiliness.
- Cavitation (ultrasonic) peeling. With a shock wave, it cleanses the skin without pain, removes excess sebum from the pores of the hair follicles, and cleanses the keratinized dermis.
- Ultrasonic phonophoresis. Based on mechanical vibrations. The procedure achieves massage, destruction of fibrous tissue, lymphatic drainage (removal of excess fluid). The technique prevents oil from clogging the hair follicles and reduces skin rashes and irritation on the dermis.
Darsonvalization with pulsed high-frequency current affects the skin with vacuum electrodes. As a result, the skin dries out, nutrition and tissue restoration are enhanced.
The doctor decides at the appointment which method of treating oily dermis is suitable for a particular patient.
Expert opinion
- Cosmetologist
- Surgeon
Reducing the consumption of fats in food will not change the situation much. Be sure to use special products when washing your face; water simply cannot thoroughly cleanse the skin. But do not overdo it, as this can lead to excessive degreasing or drying out.
To wash your face, use gels, foams suitable for your skin type, and cold water. Use toners, and moisturize your skin with cream before applying cosmetics. I also recommend not to forget about sunscreen. Cleanse your skin daily in the evening to remove dirt and makeup. And apply the cream again, only at night. These are simple rules, but they will help maintain the beauty of your skin.
Proper care and a healthy lifestyle will eliminate excess oily skin. It makes the surface of the dermis attractive, eliminates acne and greasy shine. At the same time, it is not difficult to maintain the visual youth of the face.
To do this, you should follow simple rules and take care of your skin. If you cannot solve the problem of excess fat on your own, you should consult a doctor.
Behavior rules
If you have demanding skin, adopt simple principles of caring for it and some rules, and it will not cause almost any problems:
- Remove spices, chocolate, coffee, hot seasonings, fatty and sweet foods, and alcoholic drinks from your diet.
- It is best to use skin care cosmetics labeled “non-comedogenic.”
- Exfoliate regularly, but don't overdo it. The optimal amount is once a week. If necessary or if the product is gentle - twice.
- Your skin needs to be well toned in the morning and evening, and after removing any of the masks, ideally you need to close enlarged pores. 1-2 cubes of cosmetic or regular ice help very well. Don’t forget that we walk along the lines of the lymph flow with a cube, without stopping in one place. This procedure is considered rejuvenating.
- Don't use soap. Special soft foams and gels have been developed for you. Apply a small amount of product to a moistened face and rub it thoroughly into the skin. Then wash your face with plenty of water. Or use a homemade folk remedy made from oatmeal and herbal tea. The recipe is simple: dilute the flour with a decoction, lather and apply in a circular motion, wash thoroughly.
- You should use hydrated night creams and night masks with a very light texture.
Stay young and beautiful longer with us.
Where do acne on the back come from?
Such an unpleasant situation as acne on the back has, by and large, only two reasons: external and internal. Well, then, as usual, there are nuances.
We are talking about those cases when rashes become an inflammatory reaction of the skin to an unfavorable environment. Most often, this reaction results in How to Get Rid of Back Acne:
- Insufficient hygiene. There are many sebaceous glands on the skin in the shoulder blade area. Sebum is an excellent breeding ground for the proliferation of various bacteria, which cause acne. Some people produce less fat, some produce more. And if you belong to the second category, it is important to take a more careful approach to back hygiene.
- Synthetic clothing. If clothes made from natural fabrics wick away moisture well and allow the skin to breathe, then synthetics often play the role of a kind of thermos. Due to poor ventilation, we sweat more actively, sweat remains on the skin and, like fat, improves the well-being and personal life of microbes. With all the consequences.
- Tight T-shirts and sweaters that are too tight. They can literally rub dirt and sweat into your pores.
- Loose hair. They share their own dirt and oil with the skin of their back. In addition, the ends of the hair irritate the skin, causing it to produce excess amounts of sebum.
- Using the wrong cream or lotion. For example, an excessively greasy sunscreen can perfectly protect your back from the sun's rays, but at the same time it will ungodly clog your pores, increasing the risk of inflammation.
In fact, this is not a complete list of external reasons. Science honestly admits that it cannot always catch situations that are preconditions for a rash. This is due to the individual characteristics of each person and the fact that sometimes acne occurs for seemingly completely ridiculous reasons. How to Get Rid of Acne on Your Back. For example, they can be caused by an ordinary backpack or your love of driving (the seat puts pressure on your back, irritates the skin - and now you have acne).
Among them, doctors mention How to Get Rid of Back Acne:
- Genetics. Predisposition to acne is often inherited from parents.
- Changes in hormonal levels. Many people experience acne on the back and shoulders during adolescence - this is due to changes in the body. In women, acne can also be caused by hormonal changes during menstruation and pregnancy.
- Stress. Emotional stress does not directly cause the rash. However, they can affect hormonal levels or the immune system, which, in turn, already provoke rashes.
- Nutritional features. Foods with a high glycemic index (you can find a list of them here) and milk are suspect. Not that the connection between diet and back acne has been proven unambiguously, but Growing evidence suggests a possible link between diet and acne from the American Academy of Dermatology shows that diet helps get rid of acne.
- Side effects of medications. So, taking some antidepressants can lead to rashes.
- Hidden diseases. Endocrine disorders (diabetes), problems with the liver (hepatitis), genitourinary system, gastrointestinal tract - all this can manifest itself as a rash.
Combination skin. Combination skin type
Caring for combination skin requires special attention. Here you have to combine two skincare lines at once, suitable for both oily and normal skin. The unique thing about combination skin is that it combines both oily skin and normal or dry skin.
How can you tell if you have combination skin type?
This type of skin is easily recognized by its oily T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) and completely normal cheek area. Due to such a heterogeneous texture, the skin on dry areas of the face is prone to peeling and even the formation of early wrinkles! But in the oily area of the T-zone, the skin is at risk of developing rashes, comedones and blackheads.
Combination skin type is one of the most common. It is familiar to many teenagers, because almost 85% of schoolchildren have mixed skin. Often this type of skin changes over the years, because only 15% of people have it already in adulthood. Combination skin can become normal! But for this she will need competent care.
The following signs indicate that you have combination skin:
- You have oily shine in the T-zone (forehead, nose and chin).
You have enlarged pores in the T-zone.
If you have dry or normal skin on your cheeks and temples, your T-zone becomes very oily.
You have gray, dull skin without a healthy glow. At the same time, rashes sometimes appear on the T-zone.
Combination skin types require enhanced care depending on the time of year. For example, in summer, normal and dry areas of the face (temples, cheeks) are exposed to sunlight. This can cause dryness and flaking. And in severe frosts, these areas (temples, cheeks) are subject to frequent chapping and become very sensitive.
However, it is worth remembering that combination skin has a number of advantages. For example, its owners do not suffer from rashes and oily shine on their cheeks. They also do not have early wrinkles on the forehead.
Try a little experiment! Wash your face and do not apply any skin care products to your skin. After 2 hours, blot the T-zone and cheeks with a napkin. If you see that there is a greasy mark left on the T-zone, but the napkin remains clean on your cheeks, your skin is of a combination type.
Causes of combination skin
Mixed or combination skin appears due to the fact that there are a large number of sebaceous glands in the T-zone. It is the forehead, nose and chin that are subject to their active work. All this happens due to the fact that the sebaceous glands secrete too much sebum. And it, in turn, remains on the surface of the epidermis as a greasy film.
The reason for this is the male hormone – testosterone. It actively stimulates the sebaceous glands, which are the cause of the oily T-zone. The cheek area has the opposite effect. With this type of skin, it is always normal or dry. Let's find out the main reasons for the appearance of mixed skin type:
- Puberty. Most often, teenagers face combination skin type. This is due to hormonal changes in the body. At the same time, the epidermis also changes.
- Increased activity of the sebaceous glands. This occurs exclusively in the forehead, nose and chin areas. This production is due to the fact that there is a large amount of testosterone in the body.
Increased testosterone. An excess of this hormone affects the condition and type of skin.
Disruption of the gastrointestinal tract and endocrine system.
Hereditary factor. We know what influence genes have on our body. Skin type is no exception and can be passed on to children from parents.
Stress. Unfortunately, this factor affects not only skin type, but is also dangerous for the entire body as a whole. Depression or nervous breakdowns always increase sebum production.
Lack of proper skin care. Unfortunately, inappropriate cosmetics can only aggravate the situation with skin problems. First of all, pay attention to the expiration date of the product and the tightness of its packaging.
Poor nutrition. Lack of a routine and an unbalanced diet will sooner or later lead to health problems. And first of all, this will affect the condition of the skin. Avoid fatty, spicy and fried foods.
How to get rid of back acne in simple ways
It happens that the causes of the rash are almost obvious. It is enough to analyze the changes in lifestyle that preceded the appearance of acne. Perhaps you have become more active in your training? Or has something appeared in your wardrobe that you can’t get out of? Or maybe you started using new body skin care products?
If you notice such a trigger, try to eliminate it for a while (put away a comfortable dress or sweater, return to your usual cosmetics) and monitor the condition of your skin. Improvements will give a clear answer.
If there is no obvious reason, you need to act comprehensively. This is what doctors recommend How to Get Rid of Back Acne to do first.
Mandatory - after every workout. If you are just sweating, also, if possible, run to the shower or at least wipe your back with wet wipes.
Such products are good at cleaning pores from impurities. If your skin is not sensitive, you can try the heavy artillery - How to get rid of acne on the back cleansers containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.
Cosmetics with tea tree oil have also proven themselves well.
Your goal is to remove annoying hair from your back.
By the way, when you wash your hair, try to prevent conditioner or balm from running down your shoulders and shoulder blades: such products can clog pores.
This includes sunscreens and nourishing lotions. At least for your back, use the lightest moisturizing products possible.
Do you travel in a hot minibus or actively run around doing office work, but there is no opportunity to take a shower at work? Then take a change of dress, T-shirt, shirt with you and change as soon as you sweat. It's important to act quickly: the longer moisture is in contact with the skin, the higher the risk of new acne.
The breathable and moisture-wicking properties of cotton and linen in this case can hardly be overestimated.
Try to exclude foods with a high glycemic index: white bread, pasta, pastries, potatoes... Let vegetables, fruits, lean meats, whole grain breads and cereals take their place.
If rash is listed as a possible side effect, consult your doctor. Perhaps he will select an alternative drug for you.
It also happens: the less stress, the less acne. Maybe this is your case?
Eliminating medical reasons
As we know, there are 4 skin types. Excess sebum is just a sign of one of them, a physiological feature that you need to learn to regulate and control correctly . However, it also happens that the cause may be a serious illness:
- Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas
- Thyroid problems
- Constant stress
- Hormonal imbalances during puberty, pregnancy, etc.
As well as poor nutrition, addiction to alcohol-containing care products, improper or too frequent peeling. The intensity of secretion can change depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle, and even on the weather, climate change, and changes in cosmetics.
Think about it, if the nature and amount of secretion has changed, it is better to consult a doctor first. However, if you can ascertain at least one of the other factors, adopt home cosmetology techniques and traditional medicine.