Although most people picture facial acne when they think of blemishes, it can develop on any part of the body where oil is produced, including the back. To get rid of these blemishes, shower regularly using a body wash that contains acne-fighting ingredients, making sure to apply the wash to your entire back. To help to keep your pores clear, which is often the cause of moderate acne, use an exfoliating body wash once a week to remove dead skin cells. After every bath or shower, apply an acne treatment to the affected area, and any time that you wash or apply any products to this area, make sure that you are as gentle as possible to avoid irritation.
A medicated body wash is one of the best ways to treat existing body acne. When attempting to get rid of back blemishes, it is important to shower one to two times a day, depending on how active you are; generally, you should always shower after you work up a sweat to prevent your pores from becoming clogged. Body cleansers that contain salicylic acid or antibacterial ingredients can help to break up any buildup in your pores and kill any bacteria that is causing back blemishes. If you have body acne on areas of your back that you cannot reach, use a gentle back brush in order to cleanse the entire area thoroughly.
Exfoliating once a week with a body scrub meant for acne can also help to get rid of back blemishes. These types of scrubs help to remove the outer layer of dead skin, preventing dirt and sweat from becoming trapped in your pores. A scrub meant for acne will also be gentle, often using very tiny exfoliating beads so that it does not irritate your already-sensitive skin. For most people, once a week is more than adequate for using an acne scrub, as anything more than that can actually make your back blemishes worse.
Topical treatments are one of the most proven methods of clearing up mild to severe acne no matter where on the body it is located. In most cases, these creams or ointments will contain salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or alpha hydroxy acid. Depending on your skin type, it is usually best to start with the lowest concentration first and then work your way up if necessary, as these ingredients can be extremely drying and make sensitive skin uncomfortable. While many treatments are available over the counter, you may need to visit a dermatologist for a prescription topical treatment if your acne does not respond to initial treatment.
Perhaps the most important part of getting rid of back acne is treating your skin as delicately as possible. Contrary to popular belief, scrubbing mercilessly will not clear up your back blemishes any more quickly and, most of time, it will actually irritate your existing blemishes as well as the surrounding skin. For washing your back to applying treatments, always use soft cloths, sponges, and clean, gentle hands.