Pimples on the back

Pimples on the back

Pimples on the back are an inflammatory reaction that occurs in the sebaceous glands. Acne is a common condition and affects 25-85% of young people, but can also affect adults and into their 30s. Acne is considered a skin disease, but can also be experienced as a cosmetic problem for many.

What are pimples on the back?

Pimples, or acne, are caused by an inflammatory condition in the sebaceous glands of the skin. This occurs when the opening in a sebaceous gland becomes blocked and thus causes sebum to accumulate at the bottom of the gland. The skin bacteria, Cutibacterium acnes (formerly Propionebacterium acnes), will break down the accumulated sebum and release waste products, but this will cause irritation and inflammation in the sebaceous gland. There are different degrees of pimples, and it can be anything from small red pimples to larger and deeper pimples. This will depend on how deep the inflammation occurs in the sebaceous gland. It is common to have breakouts on the face, neck, upper chest, back and shoulders.

Causes of acne on the back

There can be many different causes for pimples on the back.

• Hormonal changes can cause the body to produce more of the male sex hormone testosterone, which in turn leads to enlarged sebaceous glands and increased sebum production.

• In some people, pimples on the chest and back can occur due to stress, increased sweating and clothing rubbing and irritating the skin.

• Certain drugs, such as cortisone and testosterone, can cause acne breakouts.

• There has been a lot of discussion about whether diet has a role in the development of acne, but there is weak evidence that consuming a lot of sugar is associated with an increased risk of acne.

Symptoms and severity of acne on the back can vary from person to person and from mild to severe acne.

Good advice to get rid of pimples on the back

• Do not pick or squeeze the pimples, as this can worsen the symptoms and cause scarring.

• Use mild cleansing products that do not irritate the skin.

• It can be difficult to get to the back, and a good tip is therefore to use a spray. Clear Start Micro Pore is a cleansing spray that fights sebum and pimples on the back and face.

• Avoid using products with scrubbing grains and also do not scrub too hard, as this can irritate the skin.

• Shower and wash the skin well after training and physical activity, to wash away sweat from the body. Use a body soap with a neutral pH.

• Use an oil-free moisturizer. If the skin receives too little moisture, the skin will try to compensate for this by producing more sebum.

• Do not wear tight-fitting clothes, this can irritate the skin and increase acne breakouts.