Back Acne
Oily skin, blackheads, whiteheads, red spots, yellow pus-filled pimples, and scars are all characteristic of acne on the back. People who are prone to acne have oil-producing glands that are particularly sensitive to some hormones.
At Charmelle London, we see many patients in their 20’s, 30’s and 40’s who are still really struggling with acne on a day to day basis. It can even recur in the 50’s and late onset acne is especially an issue for those undergoing hormone changes (e.g. menopause) or stress.
Symptoms of acne
- Spots on the skin, ranging from mild blackheads and whiteheads to tender pus-filled pustules and cysts, which can become infected
- Greasy skin due to excessive production of sebum
- Usually occurs on the face, back and chest
- Flushing (redness) or skin pigmentation, especially in darker skin types
Frequently Asked Questions
Nodules and cysts
Cysts and nodules reside deep underneath the skin’s surface. Cysts are filled with pus and are usually softer than nodules.
Increased skin cell turnover
Acne-prone skin produces more dead skin cells than is typical, and these cells aren’t properly shed.
Inflammation
Acne occurs when hair follicles become clogged and blocked with oil secretions and dead skin cells. If the clogged pore becomes infected with bacteria, inflammation results.
Excess oil
Your back, like your face, has numerous sebaceous glands that secrete an oily substance called sebum. Sebum, along with dead skin cells and bacteria, can build up in the hair follicles on your back and clog them.
Increased bacteria
People who suffer from acne are likely to have more of one of two versions of a type of bacteria, propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), on their skin. This can cause breakouts.
