Dr. Pimple Popper’s Top Bacne Hacks: Effective Tips for Clear Skin
Learn how to treat and prevent pimples — even when you can't reach them.
Published:
3 minute read
If you’ve got acne-prone skin or experience periodic hormonal breakouts, chances are you’ve got pimples popping up on your back and shoulders aka “bacne.” Acne on your back isn’t just weather-related; body breakouts result from a combination of biological and lifestyle factors.
We’ve covered the basics of back and body acne before — so let’s cut to the chase and answer one question: how do I clear up my bacne? Here, dermatologist and SLMD Skincare founder Sandra Lee, MD (aka Dr. Pimple Popper) shares her top bacne hacks to help you achieve clearer skin.
What is bacne?
Bacne, or back acne, refers to acne that develops on your back. It occurs when pores on the back become clogged with oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria, leading to the formation of pimples. Bacne can be influenced by various factors, including genetics, hormonal changes, and lifestyle habits.
Causes of back acne
- Clogged pores: Sweat, oil, and dead skin cells can clog pores and create comedones, especially after physical activities.
- Friction: Tight clothing and backpacks can irritate the skin and contribute to a form of bacne known as acne mechanica.
- Hormonal changes: Hormonal fluctuations can increase oil production, leading to more breakouts.
- Diet and stress: Poor eating habits and high cortisol levels from stress can exacerbate acne.
Here are the top bacne hacks from the expert, Dr. Sandra Lee.
#1 Shower immediately after sweating
When you’re actively breaking out on your back, showering once daily may not be enough. Dr. Lee suggests that her acne-prone patients wash their face both morning and night, plus after sweating or wearing a mask. The same holds true for body skin. Here are her tips:
- Shower both morning and night: Ensure you're cleansing your skin twice a day to remove dirt and oils.
- Shower after working out: Sweat can trap bacteria and clog pores, leading to breakouts.
- Use warm water (not hot): Hot water can dry out and irritate your skin, worsening acne.
#2 Exfoliate regularly
Just like the pimples on your face, back acne begins with clogged pores. The buildup of dirt, oil, and dead skin can become trapped inside pores, especially in a hard-to-wash area like the back. Exfoliating regularly helps to keep pores clear and prevent bacne. For the job, Dr. Lee favors salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid that penetrates pores to clear out trapped sebum and debris. Try using SLMD Glycolic Acid Body Scrub, and SLMD Salicylic Acid Body Spray for easy application on hard-to-reach areas.
Dr. Pimple Popper's Bacne Fighters
#3 Use an antibacterial body wash
Incorporating an antibacterial body wash into your routine can significantly reduce the presence of acne-causing bacteria. Dr. Lee recommends using products containing benzoyl peroxide. This ingredient helps to kill bacteria and reduce inflammation, making it an effective treatment for inflammatory bacne. Try SLMD BP Body Wash.
#4 Avoid heavy, comedogenic lotions
Use lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizers to keep skin hydrated without clogging pores. Heavy lotions can trap oils and exacerbate back acne. Opt for gel-based or water-based moisturizers that provide hydration without the grease.
#5 Change your sheets often
According to Dr. Lee, this one isn’t always on patients’ radar, but it’s one of the simplest fixes. Sitting around in sweaty clothes (whether from a workout or just summertime heat and humidity) is a common culprit — so change those soiled shirts and ideally, take a shower. If you’re not washing your linens (read: sheets, towels, even your bathrobe) at least once a week, you’re likely sleeping or lounging in a film of dead skin, oil, and bacteria. This is especially the case if you’re a back-sleeper and you’re regularly waking up to new pimples.
Dr. Lee's Last Word
If you’re prone to acne on your face, there’s a good chance you also experience some bacne, because there are a lot of sebaceous glands in the skin of your upper back and shoulders. But with the right ingredients and some simple lifestyle changes, it’s often possible to clear up your back acne at home. If it doesn’t clear up in a few months, call your dermatologist.
