If you are prone to problematic skin, you’ll be all too familiar with the feeling of dread when a new pimple appears. Breakouts are a major confidence crusher, and sadly, they’re not just reserved for your teenage years.
Year after year, adult acne is gaining momentum. Whether you’re in your 20s or 40s, it’s no longer unusual to experience regular breakouts. But it’s not just your facial skin that’s at risk. Body acne, also called “bacne,” is commonly experienced by men and women in their teens and adulthood.
Body acne refers to breakouts on areas other than the face. Most commonly found on the back, chest or buttocks, body acne can be caused by several factors, including genetics, hormones and lifestyle.
There are different types of body acne, namely:
Acne mechanica: Body acne caused by repeated friction or pressure on the skin, such as sweat-soaked clothing during a workout or exercise gear and workout equipment. This is common among athletes and those who lead an active lifestyle, as sweat may clog pores and cause breakouts when it sits on the skin for an extended period.
Acne cosmetica: Body acne caused by cosmetics products such as pore-clogging shampoos or conditioners that contain silicones and oils. This is common among those with long hair, as shampoo and conditioner may run over your neck, shoulders and back during a shower.
Hormonal body acne: Hormonal changes can increase the skin’s sebum production, resulting in clogged pores and, ultimately, breakouts. Hormonal acne is prevalent among women, especially those who are pregnant or going through menopause.
Fungal body acne: Also known as Malassezia folliculitis, fungal body acne is a fungal infection of the hair follicles that leads to clusters of small, red, itchy bumps that sometimes grow bigger and turn into whiteheads.
Other factors contributing to body acne include a poor diet, stress, poor hygiene and genetics.
How to manage body breakouts
When determining the best course of action, it’s important to consider the cause of your body acne. Switching out your shampoo won’t solve the problem if hormonal fluctuations are causing the breakouts.
Speak to your medical practitioner or Lamelle therapist to determine the best course of action for treating your body acne. They’ll put you on the right path with a treatment plan and solution tailored to your skin’s unique needs.
There are also plenty of simple things you can do to help prevent and heal existing breakouts:
Shower after working out
Hit the shower as soon as you are finished exercising to avoid friction between your skin and sweat-soaked clothing. If you can’t shower immediately, pat your skin dry and change into a fresh set of clothes.
Use a cleanser containing salicylic acid
Salicylic acid is one of the best ingredients to treat problematic skin. It unclogs pores, gently exfoliates and reduces the redness and swelling associated with breakouts. Swap out your regular soap or body wash for a salicylic acid cleanser like Lamelle Clarity Active Cleanse. This soap-free cleanser contains hydrating ingredients to prevent dryness while thoroughly cleansing your skin of impurities and oils. It contains salicylic acid, allowing for exfoliation and decongestion of the skin, as well as tea tree and ivy extract, known for their antibacterial properties. The salicylic acid Lamelle uses is six times more effective at penetrating into pores than regular forms of the ingredient, meaning it is six times more potent at cleaning pores of congestion.
Be diligent about doing laundry
This is particularly important during summer. Sweat, dead skin cells, and cosmetic products may remain on your clothes and other fabrics, like bedding, if you do not wash them regularly. Don’t wear yesterday’s outfit before giving it a wash, and stick to a routine of regularly washing your sheets and pillowcases.
Use non-comedogenic body products
Some shampoos, conditioners, and body washes may clog your pores if they contain oils, silicones, or waxes. Choose gentle, non-comedogenic, or non-acnegenic formulas to ensure they don’t lead to breakouts.
Use a breakout-controlling body spray
Applying acne-targeted lotions or creams to hard-to-reach places like one’s back is almost impossible. Add a body acne spray to your skincare regime to help calm and heal existing breakouts and prevent new ones from forming. Lamelle Clarity Active Body Spray offers next-level pimple reduction power. Suitable for use all over the body (except the face), it contains key acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid, niacinamide, azelaic acid and a Beta Hydroxy Acid to decongest pores, gently exfoliate and soothe inflammation. Its formula effectively reduces P.acnes, ROS (free radicals that damage cells and tissues) and lipid oxidation, improving both inflammatory and non-inflammatory pimples.
The Lamelle scientific difference
Successful treatment of acne and body acne does not happen overnight. Once you’ve made some necessary lifestyle changes and embarked on a targeted skincare routine, it may take some time to see the difference.
Lamelle Research Laboratories’s innovative approach to skincare and product development has earned the brand its reputation as a leader in the skincare industry. Their Clarity range has been trusted for years to change the course of problematic skin with safe, effective solutions.
The Clarity Acnevelle inside-out approach has been pivotal in changing skin, and many people have restored confidence in themselves by using this simple, effective skin solution. Powered by potent active ingredients in efficacious delivery systems, Clarity doesn’t just treat existing pimples; it addresses the root cause of the breakout while soothing the skin and getting inflammation under control (and all that without drying out or irritating the skin!). Unrivalled in its performance, the Clarity range is safe for men and women of all ages and ethnicities. Discover the range here.
Regain your confidence with Lamelle Clarity and enjoy clearer, healthier skin, regardless of your age. Learn more at www.lamelle.co.za.