What’s the Best Way to Treat Acne Breakouts on my Back?
We are often asked the question, “What’s the best way to treat acne breakouts on my back?” Now is the time to start thinking about clearing acne from your back, in time for upcoming spring break vacations. Here are NY acne expert Dr. Schweiger’s tips for treating acne on the back:
- Consider oral medication: Your dermatologist will recommend the best oral medication for your back acne. It is often difficult to apply topical creams to the hard-to-reach areas of the back, so oral medications can provide an effective method of delivering medication to the skin. Common oral medications used for the treatment of back acne include oral antibiotics, spironolactone, and isotretinoin when necessary.
- Sprays are helpful: Some medications, such as salicylic acid and glycolic acid, are available in spray formulations. This allows these topical medications to be applied to the back with ease.
- Washes too: Medicated washes, often containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, can be used while showering to deliver medication directly to the back.
- Embrace technology: The Clarisonic cleansing brush is an excellent tool for removing more oil and dirt from the pores than regular cleansers alone. There are now an extender available for use with the Clarisonic Pro, which helps to reach the middle and lower back.
- Laser treatments for acne: In-office treatments, such as laser and light based treatments, can produce significant improvement. They often work more quickly than prescription medications and help to address scarring simultaneously.
- Chemical peels: Chemical peels can be helpful when treating back acne, both to clean out the pores and to help lighten dark spots from old acne.