Bacne (back acne) can happen to anyone, at any time. If you’ve been dealing with back acne you may well be concerned about the scarring that can come with it. That’s perfectly normal.
Here’s the good news: It’s possible to minimise the likelihood of back acne scars, as well as make them less visible. We spoke with Dr Sapna Divani-Patel, a doctor at Software, who revealed her tips for dealing with acne scars.
Why can bacne cause scars?
“Acne is caused by three main factors, explains Dr Divani-Patel. “Firstly, increased sebum and oil production from pilosebaceous units on the skin. Then hyperkeratinisation – which is ineffective shedding of dead skin cells, causing a build-up of trapped sebum. And, most importantly, inflammation.
“It’s this inflammation that leads to increased melanin production and hyperpigmentation. When that inflammation cascade is triggered, it also causes destruction of the structures in our skin including collagen and elastin, leading to pitted acne scars.”
Do bacne scars disappear?
Unfortunately, bacne scars don’t go away on their own. However, they often become less apparent over time and there are things you can do to speed up the fading process.
“If you currently have bacne, you can reduce your chances of scars by starting treatment as soon as possible,” says Dr Divani-Patel. “While you may believe (and hope) that your bacne will disappear on its own, delaying treatment will only lead to a higher risk of scarring.
If the back acne has resolved and you’re left with scars and dark spots, there are certain skincare ingredients you can try. Firstly, let’s look at prevention.
How can you prevent scars?
Your first line of defence is to prevent breakouts and try to stop your back acne from worsening.
Showering after your workout
“Working out regularly is important for general health, but it actually may be the cause of your back acne. If you’re wearing clothing or using towels that haven’t been washed since your last workout, you might expose your skin to bacteria and oils, and make the acne worse,” Dr Divani-Patel explains. “Instead, wear clean clothes, and try to shower quickly after your workout to wash off toils and sweat.”
Take cooler showers
“Showering in overly hot water can increase swelling and irritation and further inflame pimples,” says Dr Diani-Patel. “Slightly cooler water will help reduce some of the irritation and inflammation. It will help your acne heal quicker with less scarring. It doesn’t have to be cold water. Just ensure it’s not so hot to cause dehydration and dry skin.”
Introduce salicylic acid
This superhero ingredient soothes inflammation and is an excellent exfoliant that can help treat both superficial and deep bacne.
Dr Divani-Patel says, “A salicylic acid wash is great to help exfoliate the trapped dead skin cells that lead to acne. You can use this in the shower, but remember to use water that isn’t too hot.”
Use oil-free sunscreen
SPF is a crucial skincare step for anyone, especially if you have bacne. “UV rays can darken blemishes and trigger scarring. However, applying greasy sunscreen on acne-prone skin can lead to blocked pores,” says Dr Divani-Patel. Instead, choose a non-comedogenic, oil-free formula like Skin Software Daily Defence SPF50+.
Don’t pick at your bacne
Doing so can cause real damage to your skin. There’s a chance the pimple may become infected. Also, popped pimples can easily leave scars on your skin.
How to get rid of bacne scars
Although for the most part, acne scars are permanent, there are things you can do to make them pretty much not noticeable.
If you have mild scars, it’s a good idea to incorporate hyperpigmentation-fighting ingredients into your body care routine. Vitamin C, azelaic acid and retinol are three examples of ingredients that can effectively brighten your skin.
For deeper scars, you may want to see a dermatologist for professional advice.
