Acne is the most common skin issue that most people experience in life.
Acne lesions occur mostly on the face, neck, back, chest, upper arms, and shoulders. It is characterized by blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, and deeper lumps (cysts or nodules). Acne scars and blemishes can also become a lasting skin issue for people prone to hyperpigmentation.
According to the estimates presented by the American Academy Of Dermatology, about 50 million Americans face acne issues annually.
The reasons for acne in different locations of the body depend on particular health conditions and lifestyle habits of the individuals.
Acne on the chest, neck, and back usually happens in adults. It is quite different from the acne the fact that most people usually get.
The chest and neck are conspicuous parts of the body; keeping them free of acne scars and blemishes is important for the beauty and attractive look of an individual. If you have ugly acne scars on the chest and neck, it can make you feel embarrassed to wear fashionable dresses and casual wear that reveal your chest and neck.
In this article, we are going to discuss in detail how you can get rid of acne on the chest, neck, and back. Here we shall be mostly concentrating on the easy removal of chest acne with simple home remedies and popular non-prescription OTC products; also simple and practical steps for preventing chest acne.
What Causes Chest Acne?
The causes of chest acne mostly have their origin in the diet and lifestyle habits of the individual. Understanding the reasons for acne will help you to adopt the best remedies and preventive methods to get rid of it.
Different types of chest acne have a few verities of causes active behind them. Let us now look at some of the general reasons that usually give rise to chest acne.
1. Clogged Skin Pores
Clogged sebum and sweat glands are the chief causes of acne on the chest.
2. Sleep Deprivations
Lack of sleep will promote stress which leads to the increase of a steroid hormone called Cortisol in the body. Cortisol, in turn, causes the skin to secrete more sebum, which results in acne
3. Allergic Reactions
Chest acne could be caused by allergic reactions to drugs, foods, or cosmetic products that are used by the individual.
4. Excessive Stress And Tension
A few of the researchers have assigned stress as one of the reasons for chest acne. Stress directly does not impact acne, but it destabilizes the healthy levels of hormones in the body which in turn increases the production of sebum. Acne caused by stress appears as pimples on the chest and the back along the spine. However, there is a need for more studies to elucidate the connection between chest acne and stress.
5. Poor Hygiene
Lack of attention to elementary personal hygiene is often a cause of acne on the chest.
6. Immune Deficiency
Some people get acne on the chest because of severe immune deficiency and diabetic conditions.
7. Tight Outfits And Innerwear
The red pimples on the chest usually happen to individuals who wear very tight clothes. Wearing tight clothes deprives your body of ventilation and causes violations of thermoregulation.  Acne in the form of red pimples usually appears around surrounding areas of women’s breasts.
8. Poor Diet Habits
Some people experience increasing incidences of acne on the chest and back when they have too many acne-promoting foods. Dairy products, soy, bread, sugar, coffee, and edible oils are some of the commonly used foods that may trigger chest acne.
9. Hormone Imbalances
Hormone imbalance in the body can cause the irregular production of sebum and weak local immunity. Many women get acne on the chest because of hormonal imbalance that happens due to pregnancy, lactation, menopause, menstrual disorders, and hyperthyroidism.
Ways to Manage Chest Acne
Natural remedies are the safest and most effective treatment for chest acne. They are inexpensive and easy to use in the comfort of your home.
However, you need to be patient and regular with natural remedies for they take a little longer time to start working.
Let us now look at 7 popular and proven DIY solutions that can help in chest acne removal.
1. Baking Soda
Exfoliation is beneficial for the reduction of chest acne flare-ups. When it comes to skin exfoliation, there is no home remedy better than Baking Soda for doing a perfect job. Baking soda solution helps in removing the dead skin tissues and excess sebum that clogs the skin pores.
Directions For Use:
- Prepare baking soda lotion (Baking Soda 10 grams and 40 ml warm water);
- Apply the solution to the acne-affected areas of the chest;
- Wash off the application after 10 minutes with warm water;
- Repeat the exfoliation twice a week.
2. Lemon Juice
The acetic acid in lemon juice helps to eliminate the bacteria that cause chest acne. The lemon juice also purifies and cleanses the clogged pores of the skin.
Directions For Use:
- Cut a fresh lemon into two pieces;
- Run the open portion of the cut lemon on the acne-affected areas of the chest;
- Wash the chest with water after 2 hours of the treatment;
- Repeat the treatment once a day for two weeks.
3. Oatmeal
Oatmeal treatment on the chest helps to absorb the oil and dirt that clogs the skin pores. It also reduces the inflammation and redness on the skin caused by acne.
Directions For Use:
- Take 50 grams of cooked oatmeal;
- Add a teaspoon of lemon juice and honey to the oatmeal and blend them well;
- Apply the oatmeal paste to the acne-affected areas on the chest;
- Rinse the chest using warm water after 30 minutes of the treatment;
- Repeat the Oatmeal treatment once a day for 10 days.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar
The acidic content in Apple Cider Vinegar is beneficial for eliminating the bacteria that cause acne. ACV also helps in balancing the pH level of the skin; the right Alkaline level in the skin helps to prevent acne-causing bacteria.
Directions For Use:
- Take one tablespoon of ACV;
- With a cotton ball apply the ACV on the chest;
- Wash the chest with fresh water after 30 minutes;
- Repeat the ACV treatment twice daily.
5. Toothpaste
Toothpaste irritates the skin, and this can help in the peeling of acne. It also contains anti-bacterial properties that can gradually destroy the bacteria that promote chest acne.
Directions For Use:
- Apply the toothpaste to acne-affected areas on the chest;
- Leave the application on the chest for the overnight healing of acne;
- Wash the chest with fresh water in the morning;
- Repeat the treatment until the acne on the chest disappears.
- Warning: Careful of the allergic effects it might produce for some.
6. Cinnamon And Honey
The antimicrobial properties of Cinnamon are beneficial for getting rid of the bacteria which is responsible for chest acne. Honey has antibiotic qualities beneficial for reducing chest acne.
Directions For Use:
- Dilute 3-5 grams of cinnamon powder in the 15 ml honey;
- Apply the honey lotion to the acne-affected areas of the chest;
- You can wash off the applied honey after 30 minutes;
- Repeat the treatment once a day.
7. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera contains soothing properties that are excellent for healing itchy acne and it also helps to remove the acne flakes. This is also used for getting rid of the acne scars on the chest.
Directions For Use:
- Take 1 ounce of fresh Aloe Vera juice;
- Use fresh Aloe Vera juice to massage the chest;
- Let it stay on the skin for at least 30 minutes before you wash it off;
- Repeat the treatment twice daily.
Regular Solutions for Chest Acne
Let us now look at some of the commonly used mainstream treatments for the removal of chest acne.
a) Using Exfoliating Cleanser
Try to exfoliate the chest skin in the acne-affected area with an exfoliating glove and a cleanser containing 2% Salicylic acid. It is better to select a soap containing Salicylic acid for scrubbing the chest. You have to gently scrub the chest so as not to irritate the acne or deplete the natural skin oil. Repeat this treatment once a day when you have the shower.
You can also use other exfoliation creams or lotions. Exfoliation is beneficial for clearing clogged skin pores and reducing excess sebum in the skin tissues.
b) Using Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide is one of the best prescription medicines for getting rid of the bacteria that cause acne on the chest. It helps in peeling off the dead skin layers and drying out the acne eruptions.
c) Apply A ‘Zit Zapper’ Cream Topically
Apply on the chest a ‘zit zapper’ cream that contains up to 2% of salicylic acid. You can smear the cream on the acne-affected skin area on the chest; this helps to dry out the acne quickly.
d) Using Aspirin Paste
An aspirin tablet contains Salicylic acid beneficial for healing acne and removing the inflammation caused by it. You can crush two Aspirin tablets and add them to a mixture of 1 teaspoon each honey and water.
e) Using Mandelic Acid Mask
Apply a Mandelic acid mask on the chest 15 minutes before you have your daily shower. It is effective to use an acne wash to rinse off the mask. Alternatively, you can also use a clay or charcoal mask that contains Mandelic acid or tea tree oil.
Ways to Prevent Acne on Your Chest
If you are highly prone to getting acne on the chest, neck, and back, then you can take preventive steps to stop future occurrences of acne. Here are some of the precautionary measures you can adopt to keep acne at bay:
1. Avoid Dairy Products
Hormones from the cows are present in the dairy product which stimulates the skin oil glands and leads to the excessive production of sebum. If you have to take milk, then it should only be skim milk.
2. Drink More Water
Your skin needs at least 8 to 12 cups of water daily to keep it well hydrated. But do not substitute your water intake with unhealthy drinks like sugary beverages, sodas, or juices as they also trigger acne. Â Sugary drinks cause a spike in insulin which gives rise to the production of pimple-causing hormones.
3. Eat Healthy Diets
Eat more fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. It is better to avoid foods rich in unhealthy fats, sugar, and oil. You should include green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds, fish, and cereals in your daily diet.
Avoid eating fried foods and junk foods; they are extremely dangerous for acne.
4. Wear Linen Or Cotton Clothes
Linen and cotton are the most breathable fabrics. They allow the sweat to evaporate quickly without forming a layer of sweat and dust on the chest which can clog the skin pores and cause the growth of bacteria.
Wearing tight clothes increases the friction on the chest and irritates the acne.
5. Avoid Stress And Tension
Excessive stress leads to the increased production of hormones that adversely affect acne. The cells that produce sebum become unregulated when the person is undergoing a lot of stress. It is also important to have a good sleep and rest to reduce the occurrence of acne.
6. Engage In Physical Exercises
Participating in regular exercises helps in improving blood circulation and relieves stress. However, you should have a good shower after the exercises to cleanse the body of sweat and dust accumulation in skin pores.
7. Improve Your Hygiene
The unhygienic habits of people are one of the reasons for acne in most people. Always keep your body clean. Do not touch your chest with unclean hands otherwise, this might increase the bacterial activities that cause acne on the chest.
8. Avoid Oil and Chemical Based Skin Care Products
Skincare products like body lotions, deodorants, talcum powder, and skin creams must be free of harmful chemicals and oils. Some of these skincare products make the skin pores to get clogged, and this aggravates the acne eruptions on the chest.
9. Keep Your Beddings Clean
Unclean bed sheets and pillowcases are breeding grounds for bacteria which aggravates the acne attack on the chest and rest of the body. Do not use bed sheets and pillowcases for more than a week without washing them.
10. Do Not Pick And Scratch The Inflamed Acne
All types of acne become severe and spread further when they are constantly scratched or picked. Similarly, after touching the acne on the face with your fingers, do not touch with the same fingers on other parts of the body like the chest or neck.
Tips for Disguising Acne
If you have acne on the chest and neck, you might find it embarrassing to wear dresses that reveal your neck and chest. Here are a few tips for hiding the acne scars on the chest and neck:
- Apply concealer makeup that contains salicylic acid; preferably one shade darker than your skin complexion.
- Dab the acne marks with Q-Tip soaked in ‘eye drops,’ this helps to reduce the inflammation and redness.
- Dust your chest with talcum powder; preferably use herbal talcum powders that do not contain chemical substances that irritate the acne.
- Apply foundation cream that matches your skin complexion.
- Use Calamine lotion to cover up the acne spots; choose the one that has color matching to your skin.
- Wear cotton or linen clothes that have an upper collar.
Final Thoughts
It is not difficult to get rid of acne on the chest and neck. It calls for personal care and a little patience to use any of the natural remedies repeatedly for a couple of days.
To eliminate chest acne, you should be able to discover the reasons that are particularly responsible for your acne and weed them out.
If all your personal efforts to heal acne do not yield fruit, you should take the help of a dermatologist. Start using the prescription creams and medications recommended by the doctor that will give a definite solution to your acne problem.
If you are not sure about making DIY recipes for acne, it might damage your skin and even aggravate the acne. If you are unsure about the natural remedies, then you should consult your doctor before using them.
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