Tuesday, 18 October 2016 14:16

Surprising Causes of Body Acne

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Breakouts can occur all over the body, including the back and the buttocks. Some clients, however, may not be aware that some of their showering habits could be the cause of their body breakouts.

 

For starters, clients should not be taking more than one shower per day as it can irritate the skin and cause breakouts. If they know that they will be exercising that day, they should plan accordingly. Showering in the morning helps to remove byproducts that the body eliminated over the course of the night, while showering at night removes the pollutants that accumulated over the course of the day.

The temperature of the water also plays a role in the clarity of the skin. Neil Sadick, M.D., stated to Well and Good, "Cold water tightens the skin's pores, which doesn't allow the natural secretion of sebum and acne-causing bacteria, whereas hot water opens pores and stimulates excess sebum production that leaves [the skin] prone to further irritation." The best course of action for clients is to shower in lukewarm water.

It is also helpful for clients to use shampoos that do not contain sulfates, which can trigger back acne. Furthermore, many conditioners contain polyquaternium 10, which binds to hair to provide moisture, but can also adhere to the skin and clog pores. It is also beneficial for clients to wash their body after shampooing and conditioning their hair, rather than rinsing out their conditioner last. Washing last will allow for the removal of any hair products that might remain on their body.

Over-exfoliation in the shower is another potential cause of body acne. While most clients know that over-exfoliation is detrimental for their face, they might not apply that same theory to their body. For example, scrubbing harshly with a bath sponge, exfoliating towel, and loofah can irritate and dry the skin, leading to breakouts. Moreover, many shower exfoliating tools, like loofahs, harbor bacteria, mold, and germs due to the moisture of the shower. These unwanted growths can cause infections, impetigo, or folliculitis. Remind clients to use these exfoliating tools gently and not to use them on their face or private areas. After showering, they should place them in a dry area rather than leaving them in the shower. They can also use tools that are made from natural rather than synthetic material, soak them in bleach to kill germs, and replace them every three to four weeks.

References
Lapidos, R. (2016). Is Your Shower Routine Giving You Acne? Well and Good. web.
Oliver, D. (2013). What's Really Lurking On Your Loofah? Dermatologists Tell Us The Gross Truth. The Huffington Post. web.

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