Acne is the most common skin disorder among US adults. It occurs in various forms, such as blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, nodules and cysts, and can also affect the skin of the back. Back acne is typically caused by an abundance of sebum (the oil naturally produced by the skin), sweat, dead skin, and other impurities that clog the pores around the hair follicles. The presence of bacteria on the skin causes more severe acne lesions and breakouts. You can use natural home remedies to treat mild cases, but you should see your dermatologist if acne is moderate or severe.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Follow a General Skin Care Routine
Step 1. Take a bath or shower every day
Sweat, bacteria on the skin, dead skin cells and other impurities clog pores causing acne. You can reduce this risk by taking a shower every day.
You should also wash after exercising or after any activity that has caused you to sweat, as sweat contributes to pimples
Step 2. Use a mild cleanser
Like any other product you choose to treat acne, soap should also be non-comedogenic, meaning it shouldn't clog pores. The products of the Neutrogena, Cetaphil and Aveeno brands are delicate and do not cause blackheads. You can also find equivalent "generic" products. Remember that alcohol dries and damages the skin.
- To treat the problem on your back, you can use the same cleansers designed for acne on the face. Many contain benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and alpha hydroxy acids, which keep blemishes in check by chemically exfoliating skin and dead cells.
- Always follow the instructions on the package. Excessive use of a product does not lead to better or faster results, on the contrary it could make the problem worse.
- First, try cleansers with low concentrations of active ingredients to make sure your skin isn't too sensitive to chemicals. If you're not getting the desired results, but don't notice skin irritation at the same time, you can switch to a product with a higher percentage of benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or alpha hydroxy acid.
Step 3. Apply the cleaner with your fingers
Many people believe they need to use soap with an exfoliating applicator; however, this practice increases the risk of irritation. Use your fingers and gently massage the skin. You can use a soft sponge with a handle to wash hard-to-reach places on your back.
Step 4. Make gentle circular motions
You shouldn't rub or scratch the skin. Instead, make circular movements to form a lather with which to cleanse your back. Too vigorous action damages the epidermis and allows bacteria leaking from broken pimples to contaminate the surrounding areas. Damaged skin is more prone to acne.
Step 5. Do not tease, break, crush or touch the blackheads
Don't even let others do it for you. This action can trigger breakouts that take a long time to heal and leave scars.
Step 6. Protect your back from sun damage
Stay out of the sun and don't use tanning beds. The sun (and tanning lamps) ruin the skin, thereby increasing the risk of acne.
The medications listed below make your skin more sensitive to UV rays, so be especially cautious if you are taking them: antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, tetracyclines, sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim; antihistamycins such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl); chemotherapeutic agents (fluorouracil, vinblastine, dacarbazine); heart medications such as amiodarone, nifedipine, quinidine and diltiazem; non-steroidal anti-inflammatories such as naproxen; finally, acne medications such as isotretinoin (Accutane) and acitretin
Step 7. Put on cotton clothing
This material allows sweat to evaporate better, since excess sweat on the skin favors the development of pimples, as previously stated. Put on clean clothes every day and choose cotton sheets to reduce the risk of acne.
Remember to change your bedding often, to avoid sleeping in contact with dry sweat, which is also responsible for acne
Step 8. Go to a dermatologist
If you don't start seeing positive results within four weeks of following this skincare regimen, consider seeing a specialist.
Also, if the pimples on your back are the size of a pea or more and touch the deep layers of your skin, you may be suffering from cystic or nodular acne, which requires treatment with prescription drugs, regardless of your skincare regimen. These types of acne often cause scarring
Method 2 of 3: Prepare an Antimicrobial Herbal Bath
Step 1. Buy essential oils
Many of these products have antibacterial, antiseptic properties, which allow to kill the bacteria and other microorganisms responsible for the skin infection, as well as the pimples.
- Mint and spearmint. Both can be irritating to some people. Start with one drop of essential oil for every quart of water. These herbs contain menthol which is able to kill germs and strengthen the immune system.
- Thyme helps the immune system and has antibacterial properties. It is also able to increase blood circulation by dilating blood vessels.
- Calendula speeds up the healing process and rids the skin of microbes.
- Lavender has soothing power, reduces anxiety and depression. It also possesses antibacterial qualities.
- Tea tree oil. Test an area of acne-free skin, as it can irritate some people's skin, making it worse.
- If you don't have essential oils available, you can replace them with 4-5 tablespoons of the corresponding dried herb. You will get a compound that tends to dirty more, but of the same effectiveness.
Step 2. Take a sensitivity test
Since each person has different reactions to essential oils, experts recommend trying the product on a small area of skin before taking a full bath. Add a drop of oil to 250ml of water before dipping a cotton ball into it. Squeeze the cotton ball and then place it on your skin. Remember to try each oil separately; if you mix them, you won't be able to recognize which one triggered an adverse reaction.
Step 3. Fill the bathtub with hot water, at the temperature you prefer
Make sure the tub is clean before proceeding. Hot water does not alter the effectiveness of the oil, so keep the temperature high enough and it is pleasant.
Step 4. Add essential oils
If the skin shows no negative reaction to the tests, drop 5-10 drops of the oil into the full bathtub. If this dose is not effective for your problem, you can increase it to 10-20 drops.
If you want to transform your herbal and aromatic bath into a real spa treatment, add 200 g of sea salt
Step 5. Soak for 20-30 minutes
You need to give the oils or herbs plenty of time to work. Soak in the tub for 20-30 minutes.
Step 6. Rinse thoroughly
Before getting out of the tub, you need to rinse your body thoroughly with clean water. This is especially important if you are using dried herbs.
Step 7. Pat dry
Dab your back instead of rubbing it with the cloth, otherwise it will irritate your skin.
Method 3 of 3: Prepare Homemade Acne Medicine
Step 1. Get the ingredients
You can prepare a herbal medicine yourself, if you want to know exactly its content. Astringent herbs firm or tone the skin, while antibacterial herbs kill pathogens. Essential oils are the easiest product to use, but powdered herbs are just as effective. For your home medicine you need:
- 5 tablespoons of honey. Medicinal honey (manuka oil) is the best choice, but any pure honey works as an antibacterial and astringent agent;
- 2 egg whites. In addition to having astringent properties, the egg whites thicken the compound;
- 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. It is an astringent and whitener that reduces the visibility of blackheads;
- 1 teaspoon of mint;
- 1 teaspoon of spearmint;
- 1 teaspoon of lavender;
- 1 teaspoon of thyme;
- 1 teaspoon of calendula.
Step 2. Mix all ingredients thoroughly
You don't have to worry about following any particular order; however, it is easier to incorporate solid substances into liquid ones.
Step 3. Spread the mixture on your back
To do this, you need to get help from a parent, partner, or other person you feel comfortable with.
Step 4. Wait 15 minutes for the mixture to dry
You need to allow the herbs to dry out and work against acne. Wait about a quarter of an hour before rinsing your back thoroughly with warm water.
Remember to pat your skin dry without rubbing
Step 5. Apply a non-comedogenic moisturizer
This means that it does not clog the pores; the product label should clearly state "non-comedogenic". Some examples are the creams of Neutrogena, Cetaphil and Aveeno.
- You can also find organic non-comedogenic moisturizers if you prefer an all natural solution.
- If you want to make your own moisturizer at home, consider using these non-comedogenic oils: hemp, mineral, safflower, castor oil, and petroleum jelly.
Step 6. Return the leftover mixture to the refrigerator
You can use the treatment every day. Store it in the refrigerator, but remember to bring it back to room temperature before using it again.
