What is body acne: causes, types, treatment, recommended products

Even if not as visible as facial acne, body acne can represent a real challenge. However, with proper care principles, dermatological treatment, and the use of suitable products, body acne can be successfully controlled.

This article will help you understand the causes and risk factors that lead to body acne, so you can better prevent or manage this condition.

Table of Contents

What is body acne?

Body acne is a fairly common chronic inflammatory disease that affects the pilosebaceous follicle, similar to facial acne. Statistics show that around half (48-52%) of people who suffer from facial acne also have lesions on their body.

Adolescents and adults alike can experience acne lesions, with a predominance of body acne in males.

Truncal acne appears in different proportions on body areas, such as:

• Upper back – 52%
• Anterior chest – 30%
• Lumbar region – 22%
• Shoulders and arms – 16%
• Cervical – 8%

Reference: Woo YR, Kim HS. Truncal Acne: An Overview. J Clin Med. 2022 Jun 24

Body acne manifests through the appearance of different types of acne lesions that can coexist in multiple forms, depending on the severity of the disease:

• Closed comedones – whiteheads
• Open comedones – blackheads
• Papules and pustules – pimples
• Nodules and cystic lesions – large, deeper, and painful lesions

Besides the undesirable aesthetic impact, if not treated properly and promptly, acne lesions can cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and scars that are extremely difficult to manage later.

What are the causes of body acne?

The causes leading to body acne are generally considered to be similar to those that cause facial acne:

• Excessive sebum secretion – by the sebaceous glands under hormonal stimulation.
• Follicular hyperkeratosis – dead skin cells accumulate and block hair follicles (pores), preventing the natural elimination of sebum.
• Chronic inflammation – which occurs due to blocked follicles.
• Colonization of pilosebaceous units with bacteria – Cutibacterium acnes overgrows, maintaining inflammation.

Ultimately, acne vulgaris (common acne) is a single disease, but it has some particularities depending on the location of the lesions (on the face or trunk).

What are the risk factors for body acne?

Several factors can increase the risk of developing body acne, some of which can be influenced:

• Genetic factor – cannot be modified and represents an inherited predisposition to develop body acne. This means that if you have a family history of acne, your chances of developing this condition are higher.
• Hormonal imbalances – adolescence, pregnancy, polycystic ovary syndrome, or the use of certain medications can cause hormonal imbalances that may lead to the appearance of acne lesions.
• Excessive sweating – is an important factor that maintains trunk acne.
• Stress – a high level of psycho-emotional stress can trigger the release of hormones that stimulate sebum production and a general state of inflammation.
• Unbalanced diet – intestinal microbiota is closely linked to that of the skin, and consuming highly refined foods, rich in sugar and fats, can influence sebum production and inflammation.
• Use of inappropriate cosmetic products – which either have unsuitable active ingredients or have a too rich texture and can block pores, leading to the appearance of retentional acne lesions (comedones).

What other symptoms are associated with body acne?

As a rule, acne lesions are more symptomatic at a psychological level, due to the unsightly appearance they confer.

However, besides decreased self-esteem, lack of confidence, and sometimes even depression, body acne can be accompanied by the following symptoms:

• Pain – in severe cases, nodules and cystic lesions can be painful.
• Itching or irritation – in the case of the back, where there is a higher level of friction, the affected skin can be sensitized.
• Scars and pigmentation spots – can appear after any acne lesion, especially if they are manipulated.
• Superinfection – purulent discharge and yellow crusts may appear in case of bacterial superinfection of acne lesions.

How many types of body acne are there?

Similar to facial acne, there are several types of acne lesions that are intertwined, but depending on the predominance of one type of lesion, several clinical forms are recognized:

• Comedonal acne – milder form, where blackheads and whiteheads mainly appear.
• Papulo-pustular acne – moderate form of the disease, where the generally known pimples are most commonly found.
• Nodulocystic acne – severe form, with deep, painful lesions.

Who can be affected by body acne?

Unfortunately, body acne can affect people of any age, but it is more common in adolescents and young adults, ages at which hormonal fluctuations are more frequent.

However, people over 30 can also suffer from this condition, especially women with polycystic ovary syndrome or those who are pregnant.

Also, people who exercise or engage in activities that involve abundant sweating are more susceptible to developing body acne lesions.

How can body acne be treated?

Treating body acne involves a combination of dermatological treatment, adopting a balanced and healthy lifestyle, and appropriate skin care through dermo-cosmetic products.

Here are some effective methods to keep body acne under control:

1. Dermatological consultation – it is essential to consult a specialist at the first signs of the disease to receive a personalized treatment plan. This way, acne will be active for a shorter time, and you will minimize the risk of hyperpigmentation and post-acne scars.
2. Rigorous hygiene – daily skin washing is important, especially after sports or activities that involve abundant sweating. Ideally, showering should be done with a gentle cleansing gel, specially formulated for acne-prone skin, to help remove excess sebum and dead cells.
3. Exfoliation – using an exfoliating product once a week can prevent hair follicle blockage and the appearance of acne lesions.
4. Topical products – Creams and lotions containing active ingredients such as zinc, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or retinoids help cleanse pores, reduce sebum secretion, promote cell regeneration, and reduce inflammation.
5. Oral treatments – in severe and carefully selected cases, the dermatologist may recommend systemic treatment (with pills) with vitamin A derivatives, antibiotics, or hormonal medications to control body acne.

Are there prevention methods for body acne?

Yes, body acne can be prevented by adopting healthy skin care habits such as:

• Showers after physical activities – cleaning the skin immediately after an episode of sweating helps prevent the occlusion of hair follicles.
• Loose clothing made of natural fibers – avoid tight, synthetic clothes that can irritate the skin and aggravate acne.
• Frequent changing of towels and bed linen – consistently clean towels and bed linen reduce the accumulation of bacteria and sebum on the skin.
• Non-comedogenic products – choose skin care products specially designed for acne-prone skin that do not block pores.

How can Ivatherm products help treat body acne?

Ivatherm products are formulated with effective, yet gentle active ingredients that help restore skin balance without irritating or excessively drying it.

Ivatherm offers the Ivapur product range, specially created for skin with excessive sebum secretion and acne-prone skin.

Here are some products that can be helpful in treating body acne:

? Discover Ivapur Purifying Cleansing Gel!

Ivapur Purifying Cleansing Gel – can be used on both face and body, removes makeup, and because it foams, it can also be used as shaving foam for males who suffer from acne.

Regarding body acne, Ivapur Purifying Cleansing Gel effectively cleanses the skin without drying it and regulates sebum secretion, offering a feeling of freshness and comfort to the skin. It also has antibacterial (Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus epidermidis) and anti-inflammatory properties.

It is available in 2 quantities, 250 mL and 500 mL, the latter being equipped with a pump dispenser for easier use.

Key ingredients: Zincidone (a double-active ingredient with antiseborrheic and antibacterial action), Juniper essential oil (a natural ingredient known for its antiseptic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties), Natural vegetable glycerin (attracts and retains water in the skin, for a moisturizing effect), Herculane Thermal Water (rich in minerals and trace elements, with an anti-irritation effect).

? Discover Ivapur Gentle Purifying Exfoliant!

Ivapur Gentle Purifying Exfoliant – gently removes impurities and dead cells, with very good tolerance. It gently exfoliates layers of dead cells without causing irritation or sensitizing the skin.

The product is applied to damp skin, massaged gently with fingertips, and rinsed with plenty of water.

Key ingredients: Exfoliating microparticles (have medium hardness, are chemically inert, and provide gentle mechanical exfoliation suitable for sensitive skin), Glycolic Acid (stimulates cell renewal), Zincidone (antiseborrheic and antibacterial effect, but also restores the skin barrier function), Herculane Thermal Water (rich in minerals and trace elements, with an effect of combating irritations).