Acne on the chest in male and female can be unsightly. Women and teens may be more vulnerable to outbreaks due to hormonal changes in puberty, pregnancy and periods. Get more insight into the causes, treatments options, remedies and more.
The causes very similar to the reasons and factors that lead to acne anywhere on the body including chest, back, chin, cheeks, foreheads and so on.
Sometimes, the acne can be so severe and leave behind scars. For instance the kind on the picture below is likely to cause scarring.
Types
Table of content
Do you have this problem or they are just pimples at puberty? Chest acne can be presented in various forms. Here is what can help you figure out if the pimples or bumps are any of the various forms of acne:
1. Comedones
They comprise blackheads and whiteheads which in majority signal the initial breakouts and they are mild.
2. Papules
Papules are characteristic red, tender, inflamed bumps with no heads that appear on the skin (acne lesions). These normally cause skin inflammation. If squeezed they would give rise to nodules (below).
3. Pustules (fluid-filled zits)
Pustules are usually inflamed lesions marked by red circles but with white or yellow centers. Unlike papules, pustules are the fluid-filled (pus) skin bumps but differ slightly from nodules.
4. Nodules
Moving on, there is yet another type of referred to as nodules. They can be compared with papules. However, they often appear under the skin. They look large, feel hard also painful and sensitive to touch especially with a raw appearance.
If you are tempted to squeeze or poke them they become aggravated and even more painful and tend to grow bigger or become huge.
Notably, acne nodules on the chest or on the body occur later stages of breakouts. Therefore they can last longer. However, they are not fluid-filled as in the case of typical cysts.
Nodules can severely cause scars if left unresolved or not properly treated.
5. Other acne lesions
These comprise cystic acne. These are typically painless but when infected they cause pain and become inflamed too. Moreover, they could result in scarring.
Why chest acne is difficult to treat
Why can’t I get rid of this type of acne easily? Some people find it quite hard to deal with breakouts in this region. Treating acne on the chest can pose a lot of challenges. The following are some the reasons to explain why even an effective treatment can turn out to appear not just getting you the best results.
1. Other skin problems
One of the reasons why it is difficult to get rid of deal with pimples in this area is that there are other similar skin problems such as chest bumps besides the acne bumps nodules and lesions. More importantly, any cure attempts can be futile and inappropriate if you ignore or do not consult your experts when trying to get rid of such skin problems all by your own means of treatments.
According to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, patients who suffer from pityrosporum folliculitis, for instance, can experience symptoms similar to acne that are not getting better after treatments with antibacterial medicines. That is to say, if such patients have acne and pityrosporum folliculitis co-occurring.
2. Skin or body reaction to synthetic materials
Besides the ill-fitting clothing, fashionable clothing material made of irritating materials can make treatmentto be difficult. Individuals who have a sensitive skin, in particular, can hit a raw ordeal.
In addition, certain fabrics can trigger sweating or actually reduce evaporation to occur especially when you live in hot environments. These not only are the cases of clothes but also may include your sheets or your beddings.
3. Hormones
Besides it being the major cause, unexpected changes in the release of hormone or concentration can quite be another reason for a hard time in terms of treatment of chest acne. Whether these changes are triggered by steroid medications, pills or stage in human growth (i.e. puberty, periods, and pregnancy).
4. Rough exfoliants, scratching or touching your chest skin
You know what that means in terms hygiene. This can sound simple in all sorts of manner but keep in mind that touching or just scratching with fingernails can easily transfer germs, including bacteria that cause infections. The other critical factor as far as treatment of a target skin problem is concerned would be an infection (esp. secondary infections).
Therefore, do your best to stop touching your skin around the chest more often. In fact keep your fingers off this area if you have pimples or pimple-like bumps (unless you are doing so for the purposes of treating, applying a remedy or cleaning only.
Be gentle while exfoliating your chest area. All in all, if you are trying to get rid of chest acne nodules especially if you rely on the over the counter medications may not be easy.
5. Trapped sweating
Though it can be quite controllable in a number of ways, excessive sweating is a culprit to the effective or quick treatment, including those behind neck or on the upper back. Sweat would easily combine with dirt and toxins. When they end up in pores, they can add up to clogging.
In female
Being female with an outbreak of acne on chest or breasts does not imply there is an association between your sexuality and this problem. The causes are the same.
- Ill-fitting bras and tops in can aggravate
- Steroid (anabolic) medications can lead to a sudden outbreak
- Hormone therapy, contraceptives or the pill can occasionally have a hand in female breakouts
Treatments
The skin around the chest is so thin and delicate and therefore treatment of acne on the chest should be prioritized (whether it is a mild form, moderate or severe.)
1. Over the counter medications
OTCs approved by health bodies and agencies such as FDA are safe for use when utilized to optimal level or as a self-care therapy. Most of them can be used at home.
Here is a simple general guideline on what you should use and how you should go for as an over-the-counter product for acne.
- Water-based or (oil-free) products labeled “non-comedogenic” to help reduce clogging of skin pores
- Consider microdermabrasion
- Peeling agents that are gentle on skin
- Age of the affected
- Body health state such as being pregnant
- Products with benzoyl peroxide (as lower concentration as possible) for mild cases
- Consider when you are on medication or certain treatments
Some OTC products like benzoyl peroxide and peeling agents can cause skin dryness. Factors like having sensitive or oily skin should be considered strictly. Otherwise, DO NOT compromise with the manufacturer.
CAUTION: DO not apply skin peeling agents with aggressiveness if you notice very little or no improvements. You may end up with horrible scarring from acne.
Results are expected a few months if you apply these medications to routine. Nevertheless, you would see quick improvements in symptoms.
2. Prescription treatments
Your doctor should examine your skin lesions and ask you more about symptoms. In many cases doctors would combine creams, oral medicines and recommend body washes for you.
These include:
- Antibacterial creams or agents such as azelaic acid
- Retinoids
- Oral contraceptives
- *isotretinoin
- Oral antibiotics such as Ampicillin, Minocycline or Tetracycline among other oral medicines
You are therefore expected to follow and stick to the instructions you are given by your physician or doctor.
NOTE: In case an issue arises as you go on with medication, notify the doctor promptly.
3. Other clinical treatment procedures
If your acne nodules or lesions are not responding to medications, you would need to see a dermatologist for an advanced cure forms such as:
- Dermabrasion
- *Laser resurfacing techniques
In most cases, these treatment forms require you talk to a skin specialist who should look into your skin condition. Sometimes, he or she can refer you to a doctor or a dermatologist according to your problem in question.
Some procedures may not be covered by an insurance something that calls for consultation with a dermatologist and proper post-treatment self-care.
How to get rid of it overnight or fast
Can you actually get rid of acne symptoms within nights? This is not possible. You can only make it faster and reduce symptoms. However, some key considerations should be made before deciding to use the quick treatment methods.
- What type do you have? Is it mild or severe?
- If it is mild acne on chest, face or back you have a little better chance to get rid of it in a few weeks
- Harsh ingredients whether homemade or acquired from the drugstores can aggravate symptoms such as inflammation, redness, and pain
- It would be very difficult to get rid symptoms quickly if you are constantly involved in stressful times
Some of the safer but quick methods to deal with acne symptoms include:
- Use of a gentle cleanser product at least after every sweaty workout or day full of heat
- Applying calamine powder or solution to address inflammation
- Consider apple cider vinegar to calm down your body when you feel there is irritation or need to itch or just touch the chest area
- Gently wash the chest area with salicylic acid soap solution or acne wash such as Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash, Dermatologica Clearing Skin Wash, Dial Acne Control body wash once or twice a week for a few weeks
- Get a herbal toothpaste and apply overnight and then rinse thoroughly in the morning with cool water
Repeat routinely if you have mild symptoms on chest and areas on the neck base.
Remedies including for nodular or cystic
While a few homemade or natural ingredient recipes can help fight acne on your chest, most are not a guarantee to get rid of the real problem. Here are samples of most useful procedures to help you out in terms of treating infections or getting better of the symptoms accompanied this problem.
1. Tea tree oil remedy
To start off, you can use tea tree oil as a preventive therapy to take care of the bacteria (p. acnes) that is linked to outbreaks.
Additionally, tea tree oil has both antibacterial and anti-inflammatory property to help reduce inflammation in clogged pores. With least of the side effects, tea tree oil – whether diluted or not – is more beneficial to your skin.
In procedure
To use tea tree oil to clear chest acne effectively, you should dilute some in a carrier oil to make a toner for your skin.
Use a cotton ball to gently apply after you have prepared or treated your skin.
For those with sensitivity concerns, it is wiser to make your remedy more applicable by adding your favorite essential or pure oil such as jojoba, lavender or coconut oil, etc. to your undiluted tea tree oil.
2. Apple cider vinegar (ACV) + water
When it comes to dealing with mild symptoms, raw apple cider vinegar is the best. Besides the capacity to unclog the pores, apple cider vinegar can as well reduce the extra sebum oil produced.
The working power of this natural treatment is based on the acetic acid that apple cider vinegar has. This acid does well to control symptoms by destroying germs acne-causing germs.
Procedure
- Measure equal parts of raw apple cider vinegar and cool water to dilute ACV
- Using a cotton ball, apply to the affected area to rid bacteria
- Apply twice daily to speed up healing and the removal of pimples and pustules from your chest
NOTE: It is safe to use diluted apple cider vinegar always.
3. Sugar scrub + lemon + honey
Using a natural sugar scrub is another way of improving acne symptoms. It helps peel away dead skin cells allowing for newer cells in the process, removing excess sebum and improving the texture of chest skin.
To increase exfoliating power in this natural scrub and how it works on skin, add a few drops of fresh lemon juice.
You would want to buffer your remedy with honey for enhanced healing.
Procedure/how to use
- Measure 1/4 cup of white sugar crystals. Add about 1 tablespoon of lemon and then warm. Add your honey and mix well
- Clean the area with warm water
- Gently massage the honey remedy into the affected skin on your chest.
- Leave for 5 minutes and rinse off.
For good results apply the sugar scrub remedy 3 times each week at most.
4. Lavender oil
Studies in research have shown that lavender can help
- To reduce redness
- Address inflammation
- Reduce swelling associated with inflammatory activity of bacteria ( acnes)
You can use lavender oil in the same way as tea tree oil to reduce the number of pimples on your chest. Dab a small amount of lavender oil directly on an inflamed spot for instant relief and to kill bacteria.
5. Zinc cream plus vitamins A and E
Zinc creams are ideal for clearing up pores and reducing inflammation due to acne lesions.
Researchers in diseases have indicated that a lack of sufficient vitamin A and E can spark a flare-up in people with moderate to severe acne.
Furthermore, in case deficiency is a problem that leads breakouts, a healthy diet rich in vitamin A and E and Zinc as a nutrient can prevent further outbreaks.
IMPORTANT: If you have to increase vitamin A intake through supplements you must consult a nutritionist or doctor in this profession.
6. Other useful natural remedies
- Fresh Aloe Vera gels
- Witch hazel water
- Oatmeal solution
- Baking soda (NOT baking powder)
Severe outbreaks are usually difficult to treat using natural means. Also, when severe, it tend to recur sometime later and that leaves you in danger of chest acne scars. See a dermatologist for further help.
References
- https://www.skincare.com/article/what-causes-chest-acne
- http://www.aocd.org/?page=PityrosporumFollicu
- https://www.olay.com/en-us/skin-care-tips-and-articles/body-breakouts
- http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/302002.php