Acne affecting the neck area is just as annoying as that of the face. Being thicker than that of the face, the epidermis of the neck tends to produce more sebum, sometimes causing severe acne breakouts or cystic lesions. Acne in this area, more similar to that of the body than that of the face, can be alleviated by adopting good cleansing rituals and doing targeted treatments. If the situation does not improve within a few months or if you observe infections, see a dermatologist.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Wash the Neck
Step 1. Wash your neck 1-2 times a day
Keeping it clean is the absolute most effective way to start getting rid of acne. It is therefore necessary to wash it at least once a day, 2 in case of intense sweating (for example, after a workout it is good to take a shower).
Step 2. Wash it with a mild detergent
Read the label - it should be non-comedogenic and oil free, so it won't clog pores and clean your neck thoroughly to fight acne.
- Check the label to make sure it's non-comedogenic.
- Check the ingredient lists of any products you buy to make sure they don't contain alcohol - it can irritate the skin and exacerbate acne.
Step 3. Apply the cleanser to the neck using only your fingers
Do not use sponges or other abrasive materials, as they can cause irritation, leave scars and make the situation worse. Instead, apply it gently with the help of your fingers, avoiding massaging vigorously.
- Rinse your neck after massaging the cleanser.
- Pat it dry with a clean cotton towel.
Step 4. Avoid irritants
You may not have noticed it before, but clothes and accessories can contribute to pimples and aggravate acne. Avoid using tight collared sweaters, scarves and turtlenecks, as they can irritate the skin. Anything that comes into contact with the neck should be clean. Also, don't touch it. Never tease or scratch pimples, otherwise you risk leaving ugly scars.
- Try not to use oily sunscreen or cover pimples with foundation or other types of makeup. If you use styling products, avoid them coming into contact with the skin of the neck.
- Do you have long hair? The sebum can end up on the back of the neck - try to collect it in a ponytail when treating acne.
Method 2 of 4: Sea Salt Treatment
Step 1. Get everything you need
Preparing a sea salt treatment is easy, among other things, the ingredients are available at the supermarket. It allows you to exfoliate the skin and dry pimples. You will need:
- 1 cup of hot water
- 1 teaspoon of sea salt
- 1 green tea bag and / or 1-2 tablespoons of aloe vera
Step 2. Make a cup of green tea
Green tea extract has been shown to be effective in fighting acne, but a cup of tea, which will be the basis of the solution, will also work for this treatment. You can use a teaspoon of green tea leaves or a sachet.
- Put the sachet or the infuser in a cup;
- Bring water to a boil and pour it over the tea to the brim of the cup;
- Let the tea steep for about 3 minutes, then remove the teabag or infuser.
Step 3. Pour a teaspoon of sea salt into the tea and stir until it dissolves completely
Step 4. Add a tablespoon of aloe vera, which has been shown to be effective in treating acne, not to mention that it has moisturizing properties
You can use it instead of tea or in addition. Pour a tablespoon into the sea salt solution and mix well.
If you want to use aloe vera only, mix 2 tablespoons of aloe and 1 tablespoon of sea salt. You will get a scrub to apply directly on the neck
Step 5. Massage the solution into your neck
Make sure it's not hot, or you risk getting burned. Let it cool down a bit first, then soak a clean cotton sponge and dab it on your neck.
If you only need to treat a few isolated spots, you can dip a cotton swab or cotton swab into the solution and apply it in a targeted manner
Step 6. Leave the solution on for about 5 minutes, no more, otherwise you risk drying the skin
At this point, rinse your neck with warm water and gently pat it dry with a clean cotton towel.
Step 7. Hydrate your neck
After the treatment, apply a moisturizer. Make sure it's non-comedogenic to avoid making the situation worse.
Step 8. Repeat the treatment once a day, no more
Although the skin is hydrated following the treatment, there is still the risk of drying it out.
Method 3 of 4: Egg White Mask
Step 1. Get everything you need
Some ingredients commonly used in cooking have antibacterial and therapeutic properties. They are therefore excellent for preparing an acne mask in no time. You will need:
- Half a tablespoon of dark honey (has more antibacterial properties)
- 1 egg white (do not use the yolk)
- 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice
Step 2. Mix the ingredients in a small bowl with a whisk or fork until a foamy solution is formed, then add the honey
The mixture should be very homogeneous.
You can also add other ingredients you have at home, such as 1 teaspoon of witch hazel water (it has anti-inflammatory properties) or a few drops of an essential oil, such as peppermint, spearmint, lavender or calendula, but it is not clear if they allow you to increase or decrease the effectiveness of treatment
Step 3. Massage the solution into your neck
If you want to treat the entire neck, you can smear it with your fingers. If you want to treat a limited area, then help yourself with a Q-tip or cotton swab.
Step 4. Let it dry, then rinse
Leave it on for about 15 minutes and rinse it off with warm water (it may be more practical to do this in the shower). While rinsing, melt the paste using your fingers.
Pat your skin dry and complete the treatment by applying a non-comedogenic moisturizer
Method 4 of 4: Medical Treatments
Step 1. Try over-the-counter treatments
Cleansers and creams containing benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, sulfur, or resorcinol acid are all effective for fighting acne and are available over the counter. Look for specific products to treat body acne, as they tend to be more effective than those for the face. Just be sure to be careful, avoiding using them accidentally on the skin of the face or the nape of the neck (much more delicate).
Step 2. Learn about retinoid creams
They help clear pores and clear neck acne, but can only be bought by presenting a dermatologist's prescription.
Step 3. Learn about antibiotics
Your dermatologist may prescribe topical antibiotics, such as clindamycin, which kills acne-causing bacteria and reduces redness. It needs to be applied twice a day and combined with benzoyl peroxide to prevent bacteria from becoming immune to the antibiotic.
Step 4. If you are a woman, find out about the contraceptive pill, which can help fight acne associated with hormonal disorders
Remember that it has side effects and should not be used by women trying to get pregnant.
Step 5. Consider steroid injections for cystic acne
If your dermatologist diagnoses you with a lump or cystic lesion, they may recommend that you treat it by injecting a steroid directly, which can quickly relieve the redness and resolve the problem. It may also reduce scar formation.
This treatment has several side effects, including thinning of the skin, increased photosensitivity and temporary atrophy of the subcutaneous fat (the area will therefore appear sunken)
Step 6. Consider isotretinoin for acute acne
It is a very strong active ingredient that should only be used in case the other methods prove ineffective. It can solve the problem within a few months, but it also carries several risks, including:
- Ulcerative colitis
- Liver damage
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Depression
- Alterations to the bones
- Severe malformations of the fetus in case of pregnancy
Step 7. Consider the laser
This treatment can also help get rid of acne by reducing the size of the sebaceous glands and making them less active. In some cases this therapy is associated with the administration of topical medicines in order to make it more effective.
Remember that you have to undergo multiple sessions to get good results
Advice
- Never tease, squeeze or break the pimples in your neck, otherwise you will be left with ugly scars.
- Do not apply pure sea salt to the skin: it can cause itching and irritation.
- Oily hair can also cause pimples to form. If they are long, wash and rinse them well.
