We all know the struggle of dealing with facial pimples, but what about the spots that appear in less visible places?

Just like facial acne, body acne can affect anyone, and just when you start to enjoy summer and showing more skin, it seems to get worse. This can be down to humid weather, sweaty commutes and pore-clogging sun creams which can cause spots on our chests, backs, shoulders, and buttocks.

Dealing with body acne can be a frustrating and sometimes embarrassing ordeal, but remember, you’re not alone and there are plenty of options to help you manage it. By understanding the causes and taking steps to prevent it, you can reduce the frequency and severity of breakouts. And if home remedies aren’t cutting it, professional treatments can offer good results.

What is body acne?

Body acne is spots and pimples that can appear on your chest, butt (buttne) and back (bacne).  “There are six types of acne spots, including blackheads, whiteheads, papules (small red bumps that feel tender or sore), pustules (similar to papules but with a white tip at the centre, nodules (large, hard, painful lumps under the surface of the skin), and cysts (large pus-filled lumps),” says Dr Ross Perry, EV Expert and Medical Director of Cosmedics.

Treating spots on our face is a conversation we’re used to having, and there’s no shortage of products to help treat and prevent them. But knowing how to treat those on our body can be more confusing, and because they tend to crop up in harder-to-reach places, it makes it even trickier.

Who gets body acne?

Body acne is a common issue that can affect anyone, regardless of age or gender. As Dr Perry says, “at some point in our lives, most of us will suffer from acne to a certain degree.” Of course, teenagers commonly get acne due to the hormonal rollercoaster that comes with puberty and early adulthood, but the rest of us aren’t off the hook, either.

Many women notice breakouts get worse near their period or when they’re dealing with stress, whereas men, particularly those who play sports or go to the gym, can also find themselves wrestling with unwelcome and painful bumps.

What causes body acne?

A myriad of factors can cause body acne. “It tends to occur when hair follicles become blocked causing whiteheads, blackheads and spots”, says Dr Perry, but there are a few usual suspects:-

Sweat
Sweat mixes with oils and dead skin cells to block pores, leading to acne. Leaving too long to shower after your workout, keeping your gym kit on for too long or not washing it after each exercise session can all exacerbate this.

Products
Lotions, sunscreens and even laundry detergents can be responsible for irritating the skin and clogging pores.

Hormones 
Just like facial acne, hormonal fluctuations can lead to breakouts on the body, particularly when your hormones are changing, such as puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. Some conditions such as PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) can also be linked to body acne.

How to prevent body acne

This often involves a bit of trial and error, but the following tips will hopefully help:

Shower smart
Try to shower as soon as possible after sweating to wash away pore-clogging grime. Use a gentle, non-comedogenic body wash containing exfoliating salicylic acid, such as CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser with Salicylic Acid, which will stimulate healthy cell turnover while calming inflammation.

Wear breathable fabrics
Opt for loose, breathable clothing, especially during workouts. Tight clothes are a breeding ground for breakouts as they trap sweat and bacteria against your skin. The same fastidiousness applies to your bed sheets and pillows too, especially during the warmer weather, so wash frequently.

Spot treat
Treat and help breakouts by using an over-the-counter treatment such as ZO Skin Health Acne Control, or Murad Deep Relief Blemish treatment.

See your GP
For more severe cases, oral antibiotics can help reduce bacteria and inflammation. Birth control pills are another option for women whose acne is linked to hormonal fluctuations. Speak to your GP or consult a dermatologist.

In clinic treatments

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, body acne just won’t quit. That’s when it might be time to bring in the professionals.

Lasers
When acne is active, laser therapy can target bacteria through the skin, by focusing laser lights that can penetrate outer skin layers without damage, killing bacteria, reducing the amount of sebum produced and lower inflammation. Aviclear, the first and only FDA-approved acne laser treatment, suitable for all skin tones, which can treat mild to severe acne in as little as three months with up to three treatments.

Light therapy
Light Emitting Diode (LED) Phototherapy blue light can reduce bacteria and inflammation, helping to clear up active acne while slowing down sebum production. Results may be seen after one session or multiple sessions may be needed.

Chemical peels
Skin peels involve applying a chemical solution to the skin, which helps exfoliate and remove dead skin cells, while triggering the healing response. Superficial, medium or deep peels may be prescribed by your aesthetician, depending on your skin and the severity of your condition.