Acne on the body: where do they come from, how to deal with them and what does the gym have to do with it?

According to statistics, 48% of adult women suffer from rashes on their backs. And in the summer, this problem is exacerbated by increased sweating. Why do acne appear, what will help in the fight against them, and what does the gym have to do with it? Dermatologists Olga Samoilova and Natalia Akulova, cosmetologists of the LazerJazz clinic, and cosmetologist Anna Kapitanova answer.

Why does acne appear on the body?

The causes of acne on the back and chest in adulthood are almost the same as on the face. Among the main ones are genetic predisposition, endocrine disorders, stress, malnutrition and smoking. Under hormonal disorders usually means an increase in the level of dihydrotestosterone, an androgen hormone responsible for the functioning of the reproductive system and libido. Its activity is directly related to the formation of acne.

Non-banal reasons include taking hair products from the back.

Anna Kapitanova, beautician

“If the strands are long, a balm or conditioner may remain on the skin and clog the pores, followed by inflammation. To prevent this from happening, try not to get hair products on your back skin. For example, fix your hair in the shower with your makeup on and rinse off residue thoroughly, preferably with a washcloth.

Exercising in the gym can also cause acne on the body.

Natalia Akulova, Dermatologist, cosmetologist at LazerJazz clinic

“Inflammation can appear or worsen due to friction, skin contact with dirt, increased body temperature, and excessive sweating. Dirt, sweat and bacteria accumulate on the surfaces and then infect the wet and heated skin, clogging open pores, and bacteria multiply in new comfortable conditions, triggering the pathogenesis of acne.

What can help fight acne?

In order to get rid of acne, the skin must be purified from excess oil and dead cells. There are two ways – mechanical and chemical. Only the latter are suitable for acne – with the help of acids and enzymes, since painful cleansing will not give a long-lasting effect.

Anna Kapitanova recommends adding AHA/PHA acids and enzyme powders to your care. They remove excess skin cells and the pores are not clogged. The most effective and potent are glycolic and salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide and retinol. For sensitive skin, mandelic and lactobionic acids, gluconolactone and niacinamide (vitamin B3) are suitable. A particularly suitable format for the body – discs dipped in solution, shower gels or lotions (can be applied pointwise to problem areas)

Pimples should not be dried. Since the pores are distant, the oils form a plug and do not come out. When we dry the comedone, we thicken the sebum even more. Therefore, products with alcohol in the composition will not bring the desired results, but will worsen them – they will even remove the necessary physiological fat, which will lead to an increase in sebum secretion.

The surest way to better understand the causes of acne on the body is to have hormone tests.

How to train in the gym so as not to harm the skin?

Olga Samoilova, Dermatologist, cosmetologist at LazerJazz clinic

To minimize the appearance of acne during sports, follow the basic rules:

– The main rule for facial skin is to train without decorative cosmetics. This will help prevent clogging of pores and further development of acne.

– During training, blood circulation increases, metabolism accelerates and sweating increases. Therefore, do not touch your face, do not wipe the sweat with your hands, do not wipe your face with disposable tissue paper or individual towel.

– Before exercising with a projectile or simulator, disinfect surfaces that come into contact with the bare skin of the body. Put on a towel, or if you’re doing yoga, do it on your own mat.

– At the end of the workout, be sure to take a shower and clean your face – this will deprive the bacteria of favorable conditions for life and reproduction. After washing, do not forget to take care of normalizing the pH balance of the skin and giving it the necessary moisture.