When we hear the phrase
“problematic skin”
many of us first think of facial acne, however the truth is that many people suffer from acne in various places on their bodies.
“Body acne known as truncal acne, as it affects the trunk of the body, can be found on the chest, neck, back, upper arms and even on the bottom and bikini line. It is not unlike facial acne as a breakout also occurs when the skin’s pores get clogged by oil, debris and dead skin cells,” explains Dr Bradley Wagemaker, Medical Director and Co-Founder of Lamelle Research Laboratories.
The blocked pore creates the perfect environment for skin bacteria to grow and flourish leading to infection.
Studies have shown that truncal acne is mostly found in places on the body where movement takes places – such as the upper back (52%), the upper chest (30%), lower back (22%), shoulders and extremities (16%) and the neck (8%).
“Friction and trapped heat can irritate the skin further increasing acne development. Acne mechanica, which is acne caused through friction, is especially common among athletes who wear tight clothes or use sporting equipment that rubs against the skin. The combination of the friction and sweating can cause an outbreak,” comments Dr Wagemaker.
Understanding truncal acne is important when it comes to treatment. The more inflammation and infection, the more severe the acne. Truncal acne blemishes can look different to one another, as there can be a mix of different types of acne in one location – inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne can be found on the chest and the back, due to different circumstances occurring in the same place.
Different types of acne that can occur on the body include:
● Whiteheads – there is no inflammation and the pore is sealed with skin
● Blackhead – there is no inflammation and the pore is open
● Papules - there is a small amount of inflammation
● Pustules – there is an increase in inflammation and pus is present in the pore
● Nodules/cysts – deep inflammation and infection
When it comes to reducing truncal acne, Dr Wagemaker suggests trying the following:
Keep your skin clean by washing it regularly with gentle, non-comedogenic soap or body wash to remove dirt, oil and sweat that can clog pores and cause outbreaks.
Avoid harsh soaps and scrubs that can further irritate your skin. Use gentle, fragrance-free products instead.
Use products that are created for the reduction of truncal acne, specifically ones that include salicylic acid to help clear the breakout. Lamelle Research Laboratories’ Clarity Active Body Spray is used for the treatment and prevention of inflammatory and non-inflammatory spots on various areas of the body. Studies have shown an 86% improvement in acne over 8-12 weeks when using it twice a day.
Use gently exfoliating products regularly to help remove dead skin cells that can clog the pores.
Wear loose, breathable clothing over the affected area. Tight, synthetic clothing can trap sweat and oil against your skin, which is why it is very important to change your clothes immediately after working out.
“Although truncal acne is a condition that is fairly common, it is underreported by patients which leads to less diagnoses and treatments. Many are embarrassed to admit to having this condition, and therefore it goes untreated, which could eventually lead to breakouts and acne scarring on the body. Just as with facial acne, truncal acne needs to be treated to avoid further outbreaks and reduce spots and any inflammation,” recommends Dr Wagemaker.
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