Back Acne

 

As  the sun  gets stronger  and we  wear  less clothes  and  spend

more time  outdoors, it becomes more and more important to get

rid of your back acne. Back acne treatment can take time, so it is

never too early to begin treating the breakouts on your body.

Although  over-the-counter treatments are generally not effective

at  treating  body  acne,  there are  thankfully  many  prescription

treatments and in- office options  for improving back acne. Now is

the  time to  visit your  dermatologist  and  begin  treating acne in

time for swimsuit season!

 

Evaluation of Back Acne

 

Once our  physician  evaluates  your  skin, they will determine the

best  regimen  for your acne and skin type. It is important to treat

back  acne,  because  without  treatment  permanent scarring can

develop.  Hypertrophic,  or keloid,  scars  are  the  most  common

scars  to  form on  the back. These  scars do  not go away without

treatment,  which can  involve  pricey laser resurfacing treatments

or  steroid    injections.   For   this   reason,  doctors  often  use  a

comprehensive   approach  when   treating  back  acne.  The  best

treatment   regimens  for  moderate   back  acne   may  include  a

combination of treatment types.

 

Topical Medications for the Treatment of Back Acne

 

Topical prescription medications used for back acne treatment include topical antibiotics (such as clindamycin), benzoyl peroxide, and prescription strength retinoids (such as Tazorac or Atralin gel.) Each of these topical acne medications works in a unique way to prevent acne, either by killing the acne-causing p. acnes bacteria or preventing excess oil and debris from accumulating in the pores. Acne treatments for the back often use unique vehicles to deliver the medications, as it can otherwise be difficult to apply creams to the back. Vehicles used to deliver acne medications to the back include medicated washes, sprays, and foams. Oral treatments for back acne include oral antibiotics, and anti-androgen hormonal medications (for women). Oral antibiotics work well for both men and women, to kill the acne-causing p. acnes bacteria on the back. Oral anti-androgen medications, which work well for treating hormonal acne in women, work by decreasing the androgen hormone influence on the skin. If the androgen influence on the skin is not controlled, it can lead to excessive oil production, which leads to acne. Isotretinoin may be the right medication for back acne, though it is saved for treatment of moderate to severe acne, which has not responded to other treatments.

 

Back Acne and Laser Light Treatments

 

Dermatologists have found that in-office laser and light treatments work very well for back acne treatment. Treatments such as the Isolaz, Photodynamic Therapy, and Blue Light Therapy in combination with various chemical peels and medical extractions of cystic acne can improve the condition of back acne more quickly than prescription medications. The Isolaz acne laser works by simultaneously cleaning out excess oil and debris from the pores, while a broad-spectrum light kills bacteria in the pores. Photodynamic Therapy also kills acne-causing bacteria on the skin, while also decreasing excess oil production from the sebaceous glands. Blue light therapy is the weakest light-based treatment and is used to maintain clear skin. Dr. Edwin Ishoo at Boston Acne Specialists will help you determine the best regimen of hands-on, chemical and light treatments for your skin. For the treatment of back acne, these in-office treatments may be combined with a topical skin regimen.

 

Purifying Back Treatment 

 

Similar to the skin on the face which goes out of balance, so does the skin on the back. This is a complete purifying treatment that will help congested areas of the back as well as address sun damaged skin. Your back, like your face, has numerous sebaceous glands that secrete sebum, an oily substance. Sebum, along with dead skin cells and bacteria, can build up in the hair follicles on your back and clog them. Clogged pores/follicles, if left untreated properly, may result in an acneic condition. This can occur naturally or by comedogenic products.

Dr. Ishoo at Boston Acne Specialists will analyze the condition of your skin to determine and apply the type of products that will be most effective for your skin’s needs. Depending on the severity of your skin’s congestion, additional treatments may be recommended.

 

Body Brightening Treatment  

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A series of peels to treat skin discoloration including PIH (post inflammatory hyperpigmentation) from the residual affects of acne. Body peel treatments resurface and restore the skin by stimulating the production of young, healthy skin. Commonly treated areas include  chest, back, arms, and shoulders. (up to 25% of the skin's surface per treatment)