Changes in hormones, wearing clothes that are too tight, and the pressure from bag straps are some of the things that can cause shoulder acne. Home cures and over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription drugs may be used in treatment.
Acne is probably something you know about, and you’ve probably even had it yourself.
The American Academy of Dermatology says that between 40 and 50 million Americans have acne at any given time. This makes acne the most common skin problem in the US.
When dead skin cells clog up the pores in your face, you get acne. Acne is caused in part by the bacteria Propionibacterium acnes and the production of sebum (oil).
Changing your hormone levels, taking some drugs, and using comedogenic products can all make acne worse. Many people think of acne as only showing up on the face, but it can also happen on the shoulders, back, chest, and neck.
There are different kinds of shoulder acne, and this piece will talk about what you can do to treat and avoid them.
Causes of Acne on Shoulders
When dead skin cells and sebum from your face mix, they clog your pores and cause acne. Because it has more oil glands, the face is the most likely place to get acne. However, pimples can also show up on the shoulders.
A lot of people get acne on their shoulders. Almost everyone goes through it at some point. The following are some of the most common reasons why people get acne on their shoulders.
- Genetics
- Changes in hormones, especially in teens
- Sweat and dandruff
- Skin that is oily
- One of the effects of a drug
Shoulder Acne: 9 Effective Ways to Get Rid of it
Chose the right bath washes and soaps. Acne happens when germs, oil, and dead skin cells come together, so it’s important to keep the skin’s surface clean.
Choose items that don’t have scents because they can irritate your skin, especially if it is sensitive. Check out this shower routine to get rid of acne on your body.
1. Use A Benzoyl Peroxide Or Salicylic Acid-Based Cleanser
Salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are both well-known ingredients that help fight acne. Salicylic acid gets rid of clogged pores, and benzoyl peroxide kills germs that cause acne.
Both ingredients have a wider range of health benefits. Putting these extra-strong ingredients on your shoulders can help them get through the thicker skin there.
2. Exfoliate The Skin On Your Body
You can scrub your body as well as your face. The skin on your body also sheds and grows back. Your skin pushes the older cells to the top so that they can build up and mix with oil to clog your pores as your body makes new skin cells.
Face cell turnover is a very important process that helps your face stay healthy and young-looking. Exfoliating gets rid of the dead skin cells that have built up on the top, which makes acne less likely.
3. Leave Those Bumps Alone!
Do not pick at your pimples. It may be hard, but it will be worth it in the long run to resist the urge to scratch or pop your pimples. When you pick at pimples, they get worse.
This is true whether they are on your shoulder or somewhere else. Keep in mind that popping a pimple may get rid of that particular pimple, but the bacteria and oil from it may move under your skin to other pores, causing more pimples to appear in that area.
4. Apply Sunscreen
One of the most important parts of taking care of your face is putting on sunscreen. Always put sunscreen on skin that is going to be outside, no matter what time of year it is. Since your shoulders are always facing the sun, they are more likely to get sun damage.
If you don’t protect your shoulders from the sun’s UV rays, you might feel irritated and dry, even if you don’t get a sunburn. This can make your skin make more oil to keep it moist, which will eventually cause shoulder acne. There are oil-free sunscreens that you can use instead of sunscreens that make you look greasy and oily.
How to Prevent Shoulder Acne from Returning
What can you do to keep your shoulder acne from coming back after it’s gone? We have some tricks up our sleeves.
1. Keep Cleansing
Remember those ingredients we talked about earlier that fight acne, like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide? Use them even after your shoulder acne goes away to get rid of dead skin cells, fight bacteria that cause acne, and stop new breakouts from happening.
2. Shower Regularly
Once a week showers can help get rid of the sweat, oil, and germs that tend to gather in your pores. When you’re hot from working out, this is especially important. It is best to take no more than two showers a day. Any more than that will probably dry out your skin and make it worse.
3. Wear The Right Clothes
When you wear natural fibers that are open and airy, your skin can breathe, which lowers the risk of acne. On the other hand, wearing tight clothes made of synthetic materials can make pimples more likely to appear.
Keep heavy bags with straps away from your skin if you can help it. They can cause flare-ups. Too, tie up your hair when you can, since it can make the skin on your shoulders itch.
4. Use SPF (But Make Sure It’s Non-Comedogenic)
Sun safety is very important if you want to get rid of acne. UV rays from the sun can make pimples worse, but a good sunscreen will protect your shoulders and make it less likely that they will break out.
Choose a sunscreen that doesn’t clog pores while we’re at it. In simple words, this means it won’t make your pores clog up.
5. Avoid The Temptation To Pick
Remember not to pick at that big white pus-filled zit on your shoulder, even if you really want to. Scratching, picking, and popping your pimples can make things worse by either making the breakout worse or leaving scars.
The Bottom Line
It can be very hard to get rid of acne on your shoulders, especially since most of the information you can find online is about acne on the face. You’ll be on the right track if you keep the problem areas clean, use benzoyl peroxide and exfoliate regularly, and don’t pick at the pimples on your shoulders.
If you’re already a member of Proactiv, you can get extra products that no one else can, like the Acne Body Wash, which is great for treating shoulder acne.