Body Acne

Acne can show up all over the body.  Body acne can be found on the back, chest, shoulders, arms, neck, butt, and genitals.  It can be very frustrating and embarrassing when it shows up in some of the more personal areas.  For this reason, it pays to use a good treatment to attack body acne. 

Just like facial acne, body acne tends to lend itself to the same treatments.  The good news is that body acne attacks parts of the body that are a little more durable and less sensitive than the face.  This means it can withstand stronger treatments that the face should not utilize.  The old mainstays of over the counter treatments include benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid.  This work well with body acne with a slight preference for benyzoyl peroxide products for most people.  Although it may cause some initial irritation to the skin, this tends to go away after a few weeks.  Also, the same treatment method should be used as you would use to the face. 

1.   Wash the face. 

2.   Apply the benzoyl peroxide. 

3.   Finish with a good moisturizer.  (This step is not essential, but it is very helpful to those who experience skin irritation). 

If over the counter treatments do not resolve the issue, you can get prescriptions for stronger products.  These products include Retin A, Accutane and a few others.  These products have shown to be effective for a number of people who have more severe cases of body acne..  Naturally, these require a doctor’s prescription and have their share of side effects.  For instance, Accutane has been linked to birth defects for women who were using the product during pregnancy.  For this reason, you will want to discuss the possible advantages and disadvantages of these products with your physician.

Body acne may be a fact of life, but this does not mean you can't combat it and minimize any outbreaks.