Summer is here, bringing with it days at the beach and afternoons splashing in hotel swimming pools – scenarios that spark fear those who dread exposing their spotty backs in public.
Back acne – commonly dubbed ‘bacne’ – affects around half of people in the UK with acne, a common condition which causes pus–filled pimples, oily skin and in some instances, skin that is painful to touch.
Bacne can manifest as blackheads or whiteheads, minuscule spots that appear black or white on the skin, inflamed red bumps and even deep cysts.
Because these lesions appear on the back, which is harder to see, reach and treat, it can often be more challenging to manage effectively than facial acne.
For many sufferers, which include Dance Moms star Maddie Ziegler, the condition can also cause embarrassment – particularly during the summer months when wearing lighter clothing tends to reveal more skin.
But the good news is that there are a number of ways to treat and prevent it.
To find out what causes the condition and how to get rid of the spots, we spoke to leading dermatologists and skin experts.
Read on to see their tips and tricks for beating bacne – and enjoy summer with confidence.
Back acne – commonly dubbed ‘bacne’ – is a common condition which causes pus–filled pimples, oily skin and in some instances, skin that is painful to touch
What causes bacne?
Bacne is most common among teenagers and young men, although acne is more widely diagnosed in adult women.
The condition develops when hair follicles – located in tiny pores in the skin – become clogged with excess oil, dead skin cells and bacteria.
On the back, this can be worsened when sweat is trapped beneath clothing, particularly during exercise. Friction caused by shirts, sportswear, backpacks and other tight–fitting garments can irritate the skin, triggering new breakouts or worsening existing ones.
Dr Nihal Affam, a dermatologist and founder of Doctor Style Clinics, tells the Daily Mail that skin on the back ‘contains a high concentration of oil–producing glands, making it prone to excess oil production, clogged pores and inflammation’.
She adds: ‘Sweat, friction from tight clothing, backpacks, sportswear and hormonal fluctuations can all contribute. Genetics can also play a role, meaning some people are simply more predisposed to developing acne on the body.’
According to the NHS, acne – including on the back – can run in families, meaning people with a family history of the condition are more likely to develop it themselves.
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A study previously found that people whose parents both had acne were more likely to develop severe acne at a younger age, while those with a parent who experienced acne in adulthood faced a greater risk of developing adult acne themselves.
How do you naturally get rid of bacne?
Unfortunately bacne cannot be ‘cured’ completely – but there are a number of ways to manage the condition and reduce the amount of spots on the back.
Dr Affam says one of the most effective first steps is adopting the right skincare routine.
She recommends using body washes or sprays containing ingredients such as salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or glycolic acid, which have been found to help unclog pores, reduce excess oil and calm inflammation.
Dr Affam adds that showering after exercise and changing out of sweaty clothing can also help.
She adds: ‘Consistency is key, as back acne often takes several weeks to improve.’
Experts also recommend wearing loose–fitting clothing, particularly during exercise, as this can reduce the friction and trapped sweat that often aggravate breakouts.
Others advise avoiding rich moisturisers and body products that may clog pores.
Ingredients flagged as problematic include butters such as cocoa butter and shea butter, as well as certain plant oils like palm oil and carrot seed oil.
Mineral oil, lanolin and ingredients high in oleic acid are also reported as possible triggers for acne–prone skin, although individual reactions can vary.
Is there any treatment for bacne?
If lifestyle changes and over–the–counter treatments fail to help tackle bacne, the good news is that there is a range of treatments available.
However, Dr Sabika Karim, award–winning aesthetic doctor, global educator and founder of Skin Medical, says ‘the best option depends on the severity and underlying cause of the acne’.
She explains that treatment options can include prescription medications, which should be discussed with a doctor, as well as light–based therapies such as the Dermalux Tri–Wave LED – which targets acne–causing bacteria.
All treatment choices should be discussed with a medical professional, but experts often warn that seeking help early is recommended – often to prevent scarring.
Daily Mail spoke to two skin experts about treating bacne in time for summer, Sabika Karim (left) and Dr Nihal Affam (right)
Hassan Galadari warned that bacne can return if it is not maintained properly
Can a healthy diet help?
Research suggests that eating a balanced diet may help improve all forms of acne, including bacne.
High-glycemic foods – such as pasta, white rice and white bread – have been found to trigger spikes in blood sugar, which may contribute to acne.
Therefore, experts recommend eating a balanced diet rich in low–glycemic foods, including whole grains, legumes, fruit and vegetables, to potentially help reduce the likelihood of breakouts.
Other foods often recommended as part of an acne–friendly diet include nuts, beans, fatty fish, quinoa, blueberries and wholemeal bread.
Dr Karim says ‘maintaining a balanced diet may help reduce flare–ups in some individuals’.
There is no evidence that any diet can completely cure acne or bacne.
Can bacne return?
While bacne can often be managed successfully, experts warn that it is frequently a recurring condition.
Dr Hassan Galadari says: ‘Back acne is often a recurring condition that can flare up throughout life.
‘Hormonal changes, stress, sweating, certain medications, supplements and even friction from tight clothing or gym wear can all trigger future breakouts.
‘While many people can get it under control, maintenance is often needed to keep it at bay.
‘Using appropriate skincare products, showering after exercise and addressing any underlying triggers can help reduce the likelihood of it returning.’
Are there ways to get rid of scars?
Acne on the body – including the back – often leaves deeper and more obvious scars than on the face.
According to the London Dermatology Centre, this is because the skin on the back is thicker, allowing spots and inflammation to penetrate deeper into the skin. Healing can also take longer, which makes scarring more likely.
The back is also home to more of the hair follicle pores which are prone to acne flare–ups, making the area more prone to repeated breakouts.
Scars can often be made worse by picking or scratching spots, increasing the risk of long–term skin damage and visible marks.
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But the good news is that these marks can be treated.
Dr Hassan says: ‘Both acne scars and the dark marks or redness left behind after breakouts can often be improved significantly with treatment. The best approach depends on whether you’re dealing with textural scarring, pigmentation or both.
He says treatments such as microneedling, radiofrequency microneedling, chemical peels and fractional laser resurfacing can help improve skin texture and stimulate collagen production.
These procedures work by encouraging the skin to heal itself, helping to smooth uneven skin and reduce the appearance of scars left behind by bacne.
Dr Hassan adds: ‘For lingering redness and post–inflammatory pigmentation, treatments such as Lumecca Peak may also be beneficial.
‘This treatment works by delivering targeted light energy into the skin, helping to break down excess pigment and reduce visible redness without damaging the surrounding tissue. Over time, this can help create a clearer, more even skin tone.
‘The earlier scars and marks are addressed, the easier they are typically to treat.’
