Body acne is a common skin condition that shows up most commonly on the chest, back, upper arms and buttocks. Body acne can be caused from dirt and bacteria clogging pores and hair follicles on the body. Here are some tips to banish these breakouts:- Exfoliate daily. Exfoliation helps to unclog pores and hair follicles. Using a loofah gently with an exfoliating body wash will allow your skin to renew itself and better absorb oxygen. Avoid harsh scrubs with uneven particles (like apricot scrubs) as these may cause micro-tears in the skin, making you even more prone to pimples. We like Cosmedix Body Clean which uses lactic acid to clear pores and wash away dead skin cells.
Need more help? Consider a professional exfoliating body scrub and/or a Rejuvenating Back Treatment. These will also go a long way to relax and rejuvenate you…great for reducing stress-related breakouts.
- Clear and Remodel. Retinol is still the gold standard for acne treatment and will serve as a potent exfoliant and pore-refining agent. We love Body Build by Cosmedix for visible results in no time. Body Build is available to you through a physician only, so be sure to contact us for instructions on proper use of this potent product.
- Wear 100% cotton clothing to allow skin to breath.
- Shower and/or change clothing as soon after a workout as possible. It’s also helpful to keep a medicated spray in your gym bag to prevent breakouts from forming. Try Cosmedix Purity Balance with salicylic acid, lactic acid and tea tree oil to cool and revitalize the skin.
- Become aware of other triggers that may be causing or making body acne worse like dietary changes. Cutting down on alcohol, sugar and other inflammatory substances can make a real difference in the severity of breakouts for many people. For others, hormonal changes may be the culprit. In either case, it is essential that you examine your diet and consider internal treatment in additional to topical. Nutritional supplements with proven results amongst our clients include Cosmedix Clarity Supplements and Balance Greens. Antibiotics are now obsolete in our practice thanks in large part to these highly effective, normalizing supplements.
- Be aware of special circumstances. If you have ingrown hairs, psuedofolliculitis or keratosis pilaris, these conditions can be responsible for your body breakouts. In all of these cases, while the suggestions above will help, you must address the underlying cause…the hair. Consider laser hair removal to get rid of these issues definitively.
Protecting your skin from the sun is not just for skin cancer prevention. No matter what your skin tone, minimizing sun exposure also means less fine lines, discoloration, uneven texture and broken capillaries. Sunscreen alone typically does not provide enough protection. Here are nine basic steps you can take to keep your skin healthy and looking young!