Got bacne, bro?
Back acne – often abbreviated as “backne” or “bacne” – is something no man wants.
Embarrassed to take off your shirt at the gym, on the athletic field, or at the pool for fear of what someone will see when they catch a glimpse of your backside? There’s no need to go into hiding; effective back acne treatment is available for active men in Austin just like you!
Whether you’re into fitness, cycling, running, CrossFit, bodybuilding, boating on Lake Travis, attending outdoor concerts, or simply hanging out at Zilker Park, Flycatcher is here to help you pursue your interests with more personal confidence. If you’re in need of some good bacne treatment, rest assured that you’re also in good company.
Acne is recognized as the most common skin condition in the world, affecting not just the face, but also the chest and the back. 80% of those between the ages of 11 and 30 have acne, and one out of five people who experience acne eventually develop acne scars.
Wondering how to get rid of bacne? We’ve got you covered; read on for some helpful tips.
How Acne Happens: It Starts With the Pores
If you’ve got skin, then you’ve got pores – more specifically, sweat pores and oil pores. Sweat pores are typically too tiny to see with the naked eye, but they serve the important function of helping regulate body temperature.
Oil pores cover nearly all of your skin too, and secrete a natural oil called sebum, which helps keep your skin healthy, moisturized, and supple. Oil pores are larger than sweat pores and are sometimes visibly noticeable.
Skin pores do more than just secrete sweat or sebum, too. Some pores are mainly intended for housing hair follicles. Problems can occur whenever these pores become clogged, resulting in secondary problems like acne or folliculitis.
Generally speaking, males tend to have larger pores than females, but this doesn’t necessarily mean you will get acne. These pores typically do a great job of sweeping out oil, dead skin cells, and other detritus and debris. However, oil and dead cells can sometimes become trapped in the pore or in the hair follicle itself; this can result in acne formation.
Leading acne factors include skin type, hormones, stress, and environmental factors. And if the hair follicle becomes irritated or infected, that can also lead to folliculitis (inflammation of the hair follicles).
Understanding Back Acne
Facial acne and back acne are related, and share many of the same root issues. Facial acne appears on the face and upper neck, while back acne can appear on the lower neck, shoulders, and back.
Often, back acne occurs whenever sweat, oil, or dead skin cells get trapped in the pores. And because the skin on the back is generally thicker than facial skin, there are some differences in treatment approaches.
Back acne can present itself in many different forms, including:
- Pimples and whiteheads
- Blackheads
- Red bumps with no established “head”
- Pustules (small, inflamed bumps with a white or yellow pus-filled center)
- Nodules that can be large, painful, red, and/or hard
- Cysts (large, pus-filled bumps that can be painful and also leave scars)
Root Causes of Bacne
While most forms of acne stem from similar causes and irritants, bacne tends to have some specific root causes:
- Overactive sebaceous gland and oil production
- The role of sweat, especially post-exercise- Whenever you exercise, you also sweat. Sweating during exercise can lead to a higher prevalence of bacne.
- The influence of tight clothing and skin friction- If you wear tight clothing during exercise – like the outfit a cyclist would wear – sweat, dirt, oil, and bacteria can be trapped on the skin as a result.
- Genetic disposition and hormonal factors
Effective Treatment Strategies for Back Acne
At Flycatcher, we’ve established ourselves as specialists for delivering better skin solutions for active men in the greater Austin, TX area. And when it comes to back acne solutions, our Gentleman’s Backstage treatment is incredibly effective.
This ultimate treatment for persistent acne on the back and buttocks includes:
- Double cleanse
- Sea Salt Body Scrub
- Extraction of blackheads
- Clay mud mask
- Essential serums containing lactic and salicylic acid
After the initial cleansing, our provider will apply an exfoliating body scrub, extract any obvious blackheads, and then apply a therapeutic clay mud mask. The point of the clay mud mask is to draw out impurities and absorb excess oil. Once the mask is removed, we’ll then apply an essential serum which is both a skin balancer and a moisturizer, and includes a combination of both 10% lactic acid and 2% salicylic acid – salicylic acid is particularly noted for its effectiveness in acne treatment.
If the situation calls for it, we’ll also recommend a chemical peel add-on to address any residual back acne issues.
This isn’t a particularly uncomfortable or stressful experience; most men find it to be quite relaxing!
What’s the cost? Gentleman’s Backstage starts at $140 for an individual treatment of either the back or buttocks. For best results, you can purchase a series of 6 treatments for $700. There’s also a $20 add-on when additional time is needed for even more extractions. The chemical peel can be added for $75.
Preventative Measures You Can Do on Your Own
For starters, we recommend showering promptly after your workouts. This will help to remove any bacteria that might trigger acne on your back. At the very least, make sure to change out of your sweaty clothes right away.
It’s also a good idea to choose breathable, more loose-fitting fabrics to wear while exercising. This can help reduce the threat of sweat, dirt, oil, and bacteria being trapped on your skin. In the same way, it’s best to avoid wearing heavy backpacks that add extra skin friction.
Lastly, be sure to maintain a consistent whole-body skincare routine, including the use of a balanced, non-pore-clogging body moisturizer. Our providers at Flycatcher can make suggestions for you. The video below shows our recommended at-home protocol for treating back and butt acne.
[Bacne at-home treatment]
FAQs About Back Acne in Men
Is back acne related to a particular deficiency or hormone issue, like high testosterone?
Back acne in men is often triggered by hormonal fluctuations including increased levels of androgens like testosterone. An elevated level of testosterone can increase sebum production, which can also lead to more clogged pores and acne breakouts.
How do bodybuilders get rid of back acne?
Bodybuilders have found that some of the best ways to combat back acne (bacne) include maintaining good personal hygiene, exfoliating regularly, wearing more loose-fitting clothing in the gym, and using targeted skincare products that include salicylic acid.
Should you squeeze back acne?
What’s true for facial acne is also true for back acne. It’s always best to avoid popping or squeezing pimples. You can damage your skin by trying to pop zits, and squeezing or popping can lead to acne scars as well. Better to focus on regular cleansing and exfoliation, and to seek professional advice and/or treatment whenever needed.
Is back acne the same as butt acne?
Not usually. While both back acne and butt acne can appear as red, inflamed bumps, the bumps on the buttocks aren’t typically true acne. Rather, these tend to be incidences of folliculitis, a condition of inflamed hair follicles. While folliculitis can appear similar to acne, it is a distinct condition that requires different treatment approaches.
Do back acne scars fade over time? Can they be removed or lightened?
While acne scars can sometimes fade over time, they will most likely never disappear completely. It’s better to treat persistent acne proactively now, rather than give the resulting scars a chance to become permanent.
Flycatcher has treatment solutions for men with acne scarring. Microneedling with our SkinPen device can effectively treat mild to moderate scarring while our radiofrequency (RF) microneedling is a more aggressive approach to treating moderate to severe acne scarring.
Treatments like chemical peels can be effective in making acne scars appear less noticeable.
Seek Professional Treatment from the Experts at Flycatcher
While the self-care tips we’ve provided are certainly helpful to follow, sometimes professional treatment is the best course of action for addressing persistent back acne or scarring issues.
Flycatcher is here to help! If you’re ready to consult with a professional men’s skincare provider, we’re well-equipped to treat all major skin conditions that affect men in Austin, including acne. We offer a full suite of proven skin treatment options, and we’d be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Flycatcher has created a comfortable environment and experience that will put any man at ease. Located in Spicewood, Texas, just three miles west of The Galleria in Bee Cave, we proudly serve Spicewood, Bee Cave, Lakeway, and the surrounding areas of Austin and the Texas Hill Country.
We invite you to connect with us today- You can schedule your consultation and book an appointment online or simply give us a call or text at (737) 239-0112 today!
