Howtoget rid ofstubborn chest acne? #WorldHealthDay

By Dr. Sruthi Gondi (Founder and Managing Director at Science of Skin, Hyderabad)

Usually we discuss about acne treatments for face, but acnecan occur on the body as well. If you’re having tendency of acne from risk factors like hormones or oily skin, you might develop lesions on your whole body – including chest. Acne comes out when your pores get clogged. Pores are all over our body and chest is no exception. So, if you have an acne-prone skin then you might observe following types of acne, on your chest:

  • Blackheads
  • Cysts
  • Pimples
  • Pustules
  • Whiteheads

Chest acne may not be as visible as face pimples, but can be quiet irritating. Here are some ways you can get over chest acne even before pimples develop or help clear breakouts formed after pimples.

Shower regularly:

Chest acne develops more easily if you’re not in a habit of bathing daily. Regular shower helps remove all the elements that block your pores. This includes- bacteria, dead skin cells, dirt, oil (sebum) etc. And to lessen your chances of chest acne, make sure you shower daily. This also includes months that are colder and drier, when we usually think we don’t need a shower. Use lukewarm water (not hot) for the best results.

Exfoliate once a week:

Your skin goes over a procedure of cell turnover in which dead skin cells comes to the surface and make way for new skin cells. But then the dead skin cells don’t shed themselves. They end up staying there on your pores and clog them, which leads to acne. This is where exfoliating will help you. This process will help you to remove those dead skin cells and make your skin smoother. Don’t exfoliate more than one a week as it can irritate the pre-existing blemishes.

Use a non-comedogenic body lotion:

In layman terms, non-comedogenic means non-pore-clogging. It is very important when you’re choosing a product for yourself that will last the whole day. Non-comedogenic body lotion helps to hydrate your skin without causing acne. Some lotions also contain very little amount of salicylic acid which helps to get rid of pre-existing breakouts.

Wear loose and breathable fabrics:

Another way to keep your chest acne away is to wear clothes that allow your skin to breath such as loose and non-irritating clothes. Tight clothes most likely trap bacteria, dirt and oils that develop blemishes. Fabrics like nylon, wool and spandex can cause irritation. The most comforting fabric to wear is cotton.

Try spot treatments:

Spot treatment can help chest acne breakout through reducing pimples and curing underlying inflammation. Over-the-counter (OTC) spot treatments proliferate, and most of these have either salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. Among these ingredients, salicylic acid is better because benzoyl peroxide isinfamous for bleaching clothes. There’s a risk of noxiousness when salicylic acid is used for a large areas, so ensure you limit it to spot treatments when using it in the chest area.

When to see your dermatologist

You should have patience while using acne products as it may take approximately 2 to 3 months to show its effect. Your skin care specialist can advise the best way to treat your chest acne. The doctor may prescribe some antibiotics to cure severe inflammation linked to cysts.

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