Bengaluru: The stressful pace of urban life is increasingly impacting skin health in the city. Beyond common issues like eczema and hair fall, dermatologists are observing a rise in back acne, known as bacne, and body acne among adolescents and young adults.
Acne Affecting Older Age Groups
While acne was once primarily associated with teenagers undergoing hormonal changes, doctors now report that multiple lifestyle and environmental factors are causing people in their 20s, 30s, and even 40s to suffer from it. Dr. Sudheendra Udbalker, senior consultant in dermatology at Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, noted, "Many people are now experiencing acne not only on their faces but also on the back, chest, shoulders, and upper arms."
Causes of Body Acne
Doctors explain that body acne often results from a combination of excess oil production and fungal overgrowth on the skin. "This combination, which is more common in summer, causes fungus to grow and leads to folliculitis—inflammation of the hair follicle that looks like acne," said Dr. Shireen Furtado, senior consultant in medical and cosmetic dermatology at Aster CMI Hospital. Stress exacerbates the condition by increasing oil production. Other contributing factors include hormonal changes, diet, genetics, pollution, tight clothing, and poor hygiene after workouts. Dr. Surendra VHH, dermatologist at Apollo Hospitals, Jayanagar, added, "In some cases, back and body acne can be triggered by oil massages at parlours, external skin treatments, or diets high in fat and oily foods."
Dr. Sudheendra further explained that sweat, friction from tight clothing, bacterial growth, and skin irritation can worsen the condition. Severe cases may lead to painful cystic acne, inflammation, and acne marks, affecting both skin health and self-esteem.
Beauty Trends and Medical Advice
Body acne has spurred beauty trends such as back facials and exfoliating scrubs offered at salons and skincare clinics. However, dermatologists have mixed opinions on their effectiveness. Dr. Shireen stated, "The skin on the back is almost 10 times thicker than skin elsewhere. Superficial treatments like back facials or scrubs won't work for acne or the marks left behind. It requires medical treatment." Dr. Sudheendra noted that gentle exfoliation may help mild acne if done correctly, but aggressive scrubbing can worsen the condition.
Doctors recommend seeking medical treatment before opting for cosmetic procedures. Dr. Surendra advised, "We recommend salicylic acid-based cleansers and topical applications. In severe cases, oral antibiotics, peeling agents, antibiotic creams, and oral retinoids may be prescribed." If left untreated, body acne can lead to pigmentation and scarring.
