What You Need to Know About Your Back Skin

Men's skin care doesn't stop at the face. When it comes to back skin, men have to deal with everything from back hair to back acne to embarrassing stretch marks. If you're ready to make a change, there are a variety of options to help you get a clear, smooth back, including back waxing. The sooner you get treatment, the sooner you can leave any self-consciousness behind!

Treating Back Acne

Most people are familiar with facial acne, but it's also common to suffer from back acne--particularly for men. Acne is primarily caused by a hormonal sensitivity coupled with the skin's bacteria and oil glands, which are prevalent on the back. To treat back acne, consider the following:

• Ask a friend or family member to help you apply over-the-counter products with benzoyl peroxide and salicyclic acid. These ingredients help destroy the bacteria, unclog your pores and get rid of back acne.
• Each day, cleanse your back skin in the shower with a back sponge (they have long handles to reach your back) and a gentle formula made specifically for skin prone to back acne.
• See a dermatologist, who may be able to prescribe an antibiotic to reduce your back acne.
• Wear loose clothing that doesn't hug the skin.

Dealing with Back Hair

If you're embarrassed or self-conscious about back hair, you may want to consider hair removal options, such as back waxing. Unless you have someone willing to help you with an at-home hair removal--such as shaving or depilatory cream--the best treatments are done in a professional setting:

• Large patches of hair on the back can easily be removed with back waxing by a licensed professional.
• Laser hair removal usually requires a few treatments and can be painful and expensive, but it's one of the longest lasting methods for back hair removal.
• Many men opt for electrolysis to remove back hair--if done right, the results can be permanent. However, it can be a slow process.

Toning Down Stretch Marks on Back Skin

If you've lost or gained weight at a fast pace, you might notice stretch marks on your lower back. The marks might start out a red or purple hue and overtime will generally turn a silver or white shade on your back skin. The best way to remove stretch marks or lighten their appearance is to see a dermatologist to improve men's skin care. Your dermatologist can suggest over-the-counter lotions or procedures like chemical peels.

Resources

Eldor, K. (n.d.). Hair removal trends for men. Retrieved March 22, 2010, from the Ask Men Web site: http://www.askmen.com/fashion/trends_100/103_fashion_men.html.

MenScience Androceuticals Staff. (2007). Eight ways to battle back acne - Bacne treatments. Retrieved March 22, 2010, from the MenScience Androceuticals Web site: http://www.menscience.com/Eight-Ways-to-Battle-Back-Acne--Bacne-Treatments_ep_53.html.