Why You May Be Having Such An Issue With Body Acne

There are an estimated 50 million Americans who suffer from acne, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, a substantial figure considering around 332 million people live in the U.S. However, it's not just the United States. All around the world, acne is an incredibly common problem. While many of us think of the face when we think of acne, it can also affect several other areas of your body. Although body acne may not be as visible to the everyday eye, that doesn't make it any less frustrating or problematic. If you experience it yourself, you may often wonder what causes it and how to get rid of it.

While cases differ from person to person, there are some common culprits that may be triggering your body acne. For example, your lifestyle may be a contributing factor to your acne woes, among several other triggers. Thankfully, many causes have solutions, so you may even be able to work on them yourself. Likewise, there are some easy ways to get rid of back acne. So why are you having such an issue with body acne?

As it turns out, your genetics may impact your chances of experiencing body acne. This likely explains part of the reason some people get more body acne than others. However, lifestyle choices may also have an impact. Speaking to Banner Health, board-certified dermatologist Trevor Thompson, M.D., echoes this sentiment, explaining that "genetics, hormones, and diet are likely some of the bigger triggers for acne." 

Alongside your diet having an impact, other factors may also be at play, including sleeping habits and stress, according to WebMD. Of course, all of these causes you can adjust accordingly to figure out if they're affecting your body acne. However, if you're unsure what's causing it and you're trying everything you can, you can always seek professional advice.

Body acne is incredibly common and nothing to be ashamed of. Once you figure out the issue, you should be able to treat it accordingly and make your body acne woes a lot more manageable.

Another reason you may be having an issue with body acne is your hormones, according to board-certified dermatologist Ife Rodney, M.D., who owns his own medical, cosmetic, and surgical dermatology practice in Maryland, United States. Speaking to Real Simple, he explains, "Body acne often suggests a significant hormonal component. Hormonal acne tends to show on the chest and back, similar to where hair would grow." So if you're noticing a lot of acne in those areas, hormones may be the cause. Of course, consulting with a doctor will likely give you a more accurate conclusion.

How exactly are your hormones and acne connected? It turns out that "hormonal fluctuations, which can be menstrual or cyclical (or both) in women, do cause increased oil production in the pore," explains board-certified dermatologist S. Manjula Jegasothy, M.D., to Self. So if you have hormonal acne, this could be why you are seeing an increase in those pesky spots around specific body areas. 

Thankfully, you can easily treat chest acne and other types in numerous ways. However, you should always remind yourself that what works for one particular individual may not necessarily work for you. If you want to find the most effective way to treat your acne, it's always best to liaise with a medical professional.