Bacne is a term for acne when found on the shoulders, the back of the neck and shoulder blades. In some cases, it can also spread to the mid-back.  No matter where on the body any type of blemish shows up it’s not welcome, but acne on the back is usually uncomfortable and difficult to treat.  No method of preventing bacne is completely guaranteed given the nature of acne, but there are ways to reduce the number of breakouts, and to shorten their duration.

Acne appears in the places it does for reason. The face, neck, chest, back, and shoulders are all areas of skin where the largest number of functional oil glands resides.  This is the true of cause of acne.  When the oil glands overproduce, and the hair follicles become clogged with oil, dead skin, and debris the result is an eruption on the skin.  This eruption can take the form of whiteheads or blackheads, papules, pustules, nodules or cysts. Whiteheads and blackheads are not serious, but do blemish the skin for a short period of time. Papules, pustules, and nodules signal an infection of the hair follicles, and are not only more painful, but can sometimes leave tiny scars.

Nodules are large painful lumps beneath the skin that are formed deep within the hair follicles. Since they are deeper, and often larger they can leave pits and scars.  Cysts are by far the most uncomfortable and painful type of skin eruption.  These are also deep under the surface of the skin, and they form boil-like infections that leave deep pits and scars.

While friends, family, and others will try to offer helpful advice, often their information is not correct.  All forms of acne are genetic.  The problem is with the overproduction of the oil from the glands, and not due to anything, the person experiencing the problem did wrong.  It is not a matter of taking too few baths or showers or eating incorrectly that started the problem. Bacne and acne usually strike in a person’s teenage years, but the problem can start or reoccur at any point due to hormonal changes.

Even through, infrequent showering did not start this problem, making sure the body is kept free of perspiration can help prevent future breakouts.  Taking a shower after a workout, or participating in sports is common practice, but a shower to prevent more clogged follicles should follow up even short bursts of exercises as soon as possible.  When sweat is allowed to dry on the skin it can trap more oil and dead skin near the follicles.

Another method of reducing the frequency of breakouts is to wear loose clothing to prevent sweat from being trapped close to the skin.  Drinking more water throughout the day will flush out chemicals that cause oil production to increase. Never using the same towel twice without washing it, and changing bed sheets at least weekly reduces the amount of oil, dead skin, and tiny debris that are transferred back to the skin otherwise.  When outbreaks are occurring frequently, or cysts and nodules start developing, seeing a doctor for medication is recommended. A doctor can prescribe medication that slows the production of oil from the glands.