Having acne on your face is bothersome enough, but getting it on your back can be doubly annoying. Sweating, wearing constrictive clothing and even participating in sports can exacerbate your acne and leave your back covered in blemishes. Luckily, there are ways to treat your back acne and knock out your blemishes.
Step 1
Use an over-the-counter acne medication to treat your back acne. Benzoyl peroxide works to kill acne bacteria and soak up excess oil. Apply a cream containing this ingredient to your back twice a day after cleansing to start drying up your acne.
Step 2
Take antibiotics. Topical ones like erythromycin and oral ones like doxycycline and tetracycline work to kill acne bacteria and give your skin time to heal from breakouts.
Step 3
Visit your dermatologist to obtain other acne prescription medication like tretinoin or isotretinoin. Tretinoin, or Retin-A, works by unclogging your pores and preventing new blemishes from forming. It's applied topically. Isotretinoin, or Accutane, is an oral medication that works to decrease the size of your oil glands and kill bacteria. Consult with your dermatologist regarding possible side effects before taking these medications.
Step 4
Undergo laser treatment to kill the bacteria that's causing your back acne. During this procedure, your doctor will aim a laser at your back to kill the bacteria in your pores. After several sessions, you will be cured of your back acne for at least two years, according to the Baylor College of Medicine.
Things You'll Need
- Benzoyl peroxide
- Antibiotics
- Tretinoin
- Isotretinoin
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