How to get rid of chest acne.
Yep, it's that time of the year again, organising your summer closet and planning outfits to complement your sun-kissed skin and summer nights. But wait, what about my chest acne?
Well, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, acne is the most common skin condition in the United States, in fact, 50 million people in the US alone suffer from it and although it is more common in teens and young adults, there are many cases of adult acne.
So don't fret because you're definitely not alone!
There are several different potential causes of chest acne and the exact cause varies from person to person.
But don't worry, we've got you covered. Read on to find out what could be potentially causing you to break out and what you can do about it.
HORMONAL FLUCTUATIONS
Women's hormones are forever changing if you are on any medication check if there is a possibility they are interfering with your hormones, as acne breakouts are a common side effect of many medications.
Another reason you may break out is because of the friction from your breasts swelling.
DEHYDRATION
You probably don’t need me to tell you how important water is for your overall health but I am going to tell you anyway.
There are no two ways about it, the key to healthy skin is water so staying hydrated is a must.
Dehydration can cause the skin to become flaky and dry which in turn, signals the skin to increase its production of oil in an attempt to rehydrate itself. Consequently, the flakes and dryness get stuck in your pores which then causes breakouts, so make sure you drink up!
LAUNDRY DETERGENTS WITH DYES OR PERFUMES
Many people overlook this but laundry detergents that contain dyes and perfume may be one of the causes of chest acne.
Your best bet is to switch to a dye and perfume-free detergent.
DRY SKIN AND SUN EXPOSURE
Some of us aren’t fortunate enough to live in a hot country, so when the sun does come out we tend to go a little crazy. After all, we need that source of vitamin D.
However, exposure to the sun can lead to dehydration because it causes your skin to dry out, therefore, it causes your acne to flare up. So if you want that summer tan that’s another reason to drink up!
OILY MOISTURISERS
While some moisturisers can work wonders for our skin, using the wrong moisturiser could actually wreak havoc on it.
To prevent this, use non-oily moisturisers as oil-based ones tend to trap dirt and block your pores, creating more bacteria causing acne to form.
It's worth talking to your dermatologist and getting a recommendation about what moisturiser would be best for you.
MAKEUP AND PERFUME
I know it's hard to resist, but spraying perfume all over yourself before you dash out the door is a bad habit no matter how good it makes you smell. When you spray perfume directly on to your skin, it may irritate it causing acne to form or flare-up.
If you use makeup to cover up your acne then stop that now! Like oily moisturisers, it blocks your pores and will cause more breakouts.
FOOD (SUGAR AND DIARY)
Sugar is bad, it's delicious, but it's extremely bad. It's especially bad if you are prone to acne as sugar often triggers a spike in your blood sugar levels, which may result in you breaking out.
There has been research to suggest that there is a link between dairy and causes of acne with one theory suggesting that growth hormones, which is already found in milk naturally, may aggravate acne-prone skin.
Research also suggests that everyone's skin is triggered differently by dairy products. It should be noted that not all dairy products affect acne equally. For example, some studies have cited that skimmed milk is the most likely source of dairy that could trigger your acne.
DO WORKOUTS HAVE ANY IMPACT ON BODY ACNE?
Most of us love to lounge around after a workout; we deserve it after an intense sweat session.
However, staying in your sweaty clothes may cause a break out so it is recommended that you shower straight after a workout but, that's not always possible.
The alternative comes in the form of wipes. You can use oil-free wipes, gentle cleansing cloths or wipes that contain acne medication. The best part is you can just throw them in your bag and use them on the go.
HOW DO I PREVENT CHEST ACNE WHILE WORKING OUT?
Try washing before a work out you don't have to jump in the shower per se but you can gently cleanse the area with wipes.
Wear clean and loose workout clothes, as they will cause less friction and won't irritate your skin.
Remove any makeup you might have applied.
HOW LONG DOES CHEST ACNE LAST?
This varies from person to person due to their skin type and levels of breakouts. Usually, it takes about six weeks to see a difference so patience is key.
DOES CHEST ACNE GO AWAY?
If you follow all the recommended advice then you should see an improvement over time and for some those small changes have resolved their chest acne completely.
Having said that, it really depends on the severity of your chest acne, some patients require additional treatment.
LIFESTYLE CHANGES TO GET RID OF ACNE
Although old habits die hard, if you have acne-prone skin, it is definitely worth making lifestyle changes mentioned in this article not only for your skin but for your overall health.
Incorporating foods like blueberries, kidney beans, avocados and almonds into your diet help to prevent inflammation.
And please, no matter what you do, do not pop your pimples! Avoid this at all costs, in fact, you are doing yourself no favours by popping the pimples as this leads to scarring, hyperpigmentation and inflammation so you're actually making it worse for yourself.
DO SCRUBS HELP WITH BODY ACNE?
Although using a body scrub alone won't help get rid of your acne it may certainly help decrease it. This is because exfoliating removes any dead skin cells that may contribute to your clogged pores.
Keep in mind that you may have to use a body scrub a few times before you start to see any difference but it’s certainly worth a try.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Chest acne or any type of acne is nothing to be embarrassed about, we ALL break out at some point or another and unfortunately, there is no overnight miracle so just hang in there!
With the help of your doctor, dermatologist and a few simple lifestyle changes you will certainly be on our way to clearer skin.
