Our backs are the hardest to reach parts of our body. The back is almost always covered to keep our bodies warm and give away a chance for the skin to breathe freely. The back, therefore, is prone to getting acne as a result of clogged pores. Dead skin cells, sweat, and oil produced by the skin clog pores lead to acne. In the long run, the skin may retain scars that are a result of acne. We will share a few tips and tricks on how to get rid of back acne scars, but first, let us learn the types of back acne scars you may experience.
Fun fact: "Bacne" is a term used to refer to back acne.
Types of Acne Scars
1) Hypertrophic Scars
Hypertrophic scars are some of the most common types of back acne scars that most people get. A hypertrophic scar is normally a wide, raised car that is a result of an injury. The scar tissue forms when the body responds abnormally when healing a wound, injury, or trauma. Some people experience the production of excess myofibroblasts that increases collagen production depending on the person's skin type. For example, when a wound is inflamed or infected, overproduction of collagen occurs. The same happens when the wound experiences tension or is left to heal without stitches.
Acne scarring happens through this process when the wound due to acne does not heal in the right manner. However, these types of scars are milder than keloid scars and do not grow past the boundaries of the wound.
2) Keloid Scars
Keloids are formed when smooth, hard scars form over wounds when healing is taking place. Keloids can be wider than the initial wound size, and in some cases, growth may occur when extra scar tissues develop. Keloid scars are not harmful to the body. However, wearing tight clothing might irritate the scars.
3) Pitted scars
These are types of scars that appear due to the loss of tissue during cell regeneration. The scars occur after severe acne infections on the body. The skin left behind looks like pits, hence the name. Deeper layers of the skin get damaged. These scars are similar to rolling scars. Other types of scars include boxcar scars and ice pick scars, and can all be referred to as pitted.
Getting Rid of Back Acne Scars
There are multiple different ways of getting rid of back acne scars, including home or office methods. However, deeper scars will require the input of a medical professional. A dermatologist will give you the best actionable steps that you need to take.
a) Silicone Sheets
Silicone sheets are applied once an acne wound heals. The sheets are non-invasive and are considered the best treatment for hypertrophic scars. In addition, silicone sheets offer back acne scar treatment through increasing hydration of the top layer of the skin, also known as the stratum corneum. This process also reduces the production of collagen that is known to increase the growth of scar tissue. Silicon can be applied in other forms, including gel, sprays, and foams.
Silicone also performs the important task of preventing bacterial infection that may occur on the wound. More collagen gets produced when bacteria is detected on the wound. Silicone is one of the best-recommended treatments that you can do from the comfort of your home. The spray form makes it easier to access the hard-to-reach areas of the back.
b) Laser Treatments
Laser therapy is one of the most efficient ways dermatologists offer to get rid of back acne. The treatment works by flattening, and burning scars elevated scars. Scars that turn pink can be whitened using laser treatment. Back acne scarring can be a thing of the past for people with severe scarring who want to treat acne scars.
c) Bleomycin
This mode of treatment is a very interesting science feat. The method involves the injection of an antibiotic that reduces cell replication. The method helps reduce itching and pain. However, the more you scratch, the higher the chances of getting a bigger scar on your skin's surface.
d) Chemical Peel
The chemical peeling method removes the outer layer of old skin, including bacne scars, while developing new skin. As a result, the new skin will not have any signs of superficial acne scarring. Acids like glycolic acid and salicylic acid do a good job of getting rid of back acne scars. Glycolic acid smooths out the skin's surface, leaving no trace of any trauma that might have been a result of back acne scarring.
Lactic acid can do a good job in getting rid of scars by smoothing out the skin and exfoliating the remnants of an acne wound. In addition, lactic acid evens out the skin tone and generally gets rid of dead skin as an advantage. Chemical peels are a good choice to get a more even result.
e) Cryotherapy
This is where things get interesting. This process involves using liquid nitrogen to freeze scar tissue in an attempt to flatten out the tissue. Cryotherapy is a safe, non-toxic method that has been tried and tested. In addition, the process does not hurt; therefore, there is nothing to fear.
f) Surgery
Surgery is a method that seems to hold the answer to everything. Back acne scars are no exception when it comes to surgical removal. Surgery can be recommended by your dermatologist if necessary.
g) Massage or Pressure
Massage or pressure on the scar weakens the scar tissues, making the appearance to be more improved.
Back Acne Scar Prevention
i) Treat Acne Properly
As we all know, prevention is better than cure. So the best way to go about acne scars is to treat acne well as soon as they appear. Seeing your dermatologist is the best way of knowing the type of acne you have and how to go about it.
Even before considering treating acne, you need to prevent the acne from occurring in the first place. You can prevent acne by taking good care of your skin at all times. Shower frequently, washing your back well. Try and shower immediately from the gym or from running to prevent sweat and dirt from clogging the pores and hair follicles. Gym clothes contain a lot of germs and dirt. Dead skin cells are removed every time you cleanse your body.
There are many over-the-counter drugs that you can consider using if your skin is acne-prone. First, use a body wash that has cleansing properties. Very harsh soaps might irritate your skin, causing inflammation and eventually acne. Washing sensitive skin with very hot water might lead to dryness. Dry skin can lead to a lot of flaking that may end up clogging the pores, leading to acne. Knowing your skin type will determine the anti-inflammatory body lotion that you will pick for your use.
ii) Avoid Inflammation
Scarring takes place as a result of an injury. One sure way of getting an acne injury is by messing up with the acne as it is still fresh. When you have active acne, avoid touching the head and trying to pop it out all the time. It is good to note that there are different types of acne, some with heads and some without. Acne without ahead is much more likely to form a scar if forced out. All you need to do sometimes is take an antibiotic or remedies like benzoyl peroxide to moderate acne on your skin.
iii) Let Scabs Be
A scab is a natural patch that forms on the skin as the wound heals. When you pick on a scab, you simply make the wound fresh and reduce the healing time. You may be tempted to think that removing a scab is a quick fix, while the effect is quite the contrary. Letting the scab fall on its own will reduce scarring a great deal by maintaining a good skin condition. Once you suspect that the scab is dry, gently exfoliate using a body scrub.
iv) See a Dermatologist
The best way to be aware of your skin type is to see a dermatologist who might give you a professional opinion on your skin type. If the oil glands on your skin produce too much oil, you might get a lot of acne that home remedies might not tame. Excess oil production coupled with dead cells is a sure way of getting clogged pores.
A dermatologist might suggest preventive measures that will ensure your back acne does not get worse. Remember that a bad remedy will make the situation of your skin worse that may lead to greater problems. For example, sensitive skin might react badly to medication, soaps, and body lotion. A dermatologist might suggest some at-home treatments, but at least they will be saying what they know.
v) Watch your Diet
Your diet can affect the hormones in your body, which may, in turn, cause different reactions, including the production of acne. For example, some researches link proteins and a rise in insulin levels with acne. Alternatively, focusing on a diet that gets rid of acne can help inhibit the occurrence of acne on the skin. You can find glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and other vital nutrients in foodstuff.
vi) Avoid UV Rays Exposure
Apply sunscreen each time you get exposed to the sun. The sun has rays that can lead to burns and cause scarring on the already existing acne. In addition, the sun can cause inflammation on sensitive skin. Summer brings with it hot or warm weather that might tempt you to go out. Just wear sunscreen before you do.
vii) Micro-needling
Micro-needling or dermarolling causes micro-injuries to the skin, stimulating collagen production in an attempt to heal the body. When cell turnover takes place, the chances of scarring reduces significantly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Back Acne Scars
a) Is Back Acne Normal?
Bacne is more common than you may imagine. Bacne occurs mostly during the teenage years or when there is a lot of hormonal change. We all go through hormonal change at one point in life, which might bring hormonal change along with it. If you are expectant, you might get acne in most parts of your body, including your back. You no longer need to be too worried about acne, but it is wise to see a dermatologist because acne can signify something other than excess oils and clogged pores.
b) Is Back Acne Similar to Face Acne?
To answer the question, the skin structure is similar, regardless of the location in the body. Different parts of the body experience different experiences. For example, the face gets in contact with more beauty products than the rest of the body. Therefore, the face will have a slightly different reaction than the rest of the body.
The back, however, has its challenges too. We lean our backs when we sit, carry bags, and the back is always enclosed. All these situations cause friction that leads to many flaking and dead skin, which blocks the skin pores. In addition, the back tends to produce oils that may cause acne.
c) Can a Loofah Cause Acne
Loofahs help us scrub our backs. However, loofahs harbor bacteria and fungi because of the dampness and the bathroom environment. Ensure the loofahs are dry right after using them. Once you are done showering, wash your loofah and wring all the water completely to avoid any bacteria or fungi from growing. When showering, you can accidentally transfer bacteria to your skin, leading to acne formation.
Final Take
When summer comes, we do not feel like having heavy clothes on during the day because it gets too hot. However, we might not be too confident about our backs when they are ridden with scars. Acne scars can be embarrassing, but that does not have to be the case. Looking good is not all the reason why we should take care of the skin. Staying healthy is the most important reason why you should take care of your skin at all times. Always see your dermatologist before making any decisions to get the best remedy for your back.
