Back acne can be a year-round problem, but it can be worse in the summer. The summer heat can increase the conditions that cause acne, which means more acne to handle. If you have back acne, here is what you need to know about the skin condition and the summer months.

Why Is It Worse During the Summer?

Back acne is caused by the same factors as facial acne. It is the result of excessive oil production, bacteria, hormonal changes, and the presence of excessive dead skin cells. The skin cells clog your pores. In the summertime, you sweat more, which could mean a worsening of your skin condition.

Your back also suffers from having a smaller blood supply than the face. The increased blood supply that the face has helps with healing the acne. Your back is also more likely to scar than your face. The face has a higher skin turnover rate than the back because of the larger blood supply.

What Can You Do?

Although it might sound like all bad news, there is some good news. Your back is less sensitive than your face. Therefore, you can use stronger treatments on your back to get rid of the back acne. For instance, you can use a topical treatment that has a higher percentage of salicylic acid than that found in facial topical treatments.

Back acne can be exacerbated by sweat being trapped on the skin surface for prolonged periods of time. You can reduce the likelihood that you will have an acne breakout while working out or engaging in any physical activity by wearing clothes that are loose-fitting. You also need to look for fabrics that work to trap the sweat. In addition to this, shower and change clothes as soon as possible.

You also need to change your sheets on a regular basis. While sleeping, dead skin cells rub onto your sheets. The buildup can cause a breakout. You need to change sheets at least once a week.

What If the Problem Persists?

If the back acne does not improve, schedule an appointment with a dermatologist like those at Strnot Dermatology. He or she can prescribe a topical medication that can be used daily to treat the acne.

In addition to this, the dermatologist can recommend other treatments, such as light therapy. In the treatment, your doctor will use a blue light to attack the bacteria that is causing the back acne.