June is Acne Awareness month

On the list of the most annoying places acne can appear, the back and shoulders are right up there next to the back and chest. On the bright side, acne in this hard-to-reach area is not impossible to deal with. Shoulder acne can be addressed similarly to how one would approach facial acne —with a targeted routine. Here are some of my tips on how to stop breakouts and get rid of shoulder acne, once and for all. What Causes Shoulder Acne? “Acne can develop almost anywhere on the body,” says board-certified dermatologist Elizabeth B. Houshmand, MD. “It is not only on the face. Acne on the shoulders is seen in both men and women, but more commonly in men.” While gender can play a role in this skin-care issue, there are other factors that come into play, as well. Shoulder Acne Cause #1: Not Showering Right After a Workout After hitting the gym, be sure to hop in the shower and rinse off within ten minutes. “When you have acne on your body, it’s often caused by waiting too long to shower after working out. Take a spare T-shirt or clothes and get out of those sweaty closes ASAP! Shoulder Acne Cause #2: Friction From Sports Equipment It’s so common for athletes to get acne from their sports equipment that there’s actually a name for it: acne mechanica. Anything that rubs — from backpacks to synthetic uniforms — and traps sweat and heat on your skin can cause irritation. To help prevent flare-ups, try placing clean padding between the equipment and your skin to limit rubbing and stick to loose-fitted clothes. Shoulder Acne Cause #3: Not Washing Your Clothes After Sweating Sweat, dirt and other bacteria can stick to your clothes if you don’t wash them after a workout.  Make a habit of tossing your dirty laundry directly into the wash and also bring a change of clothes with you to exercise, especially if you sweat profusely. Sitting in your sweaty clothing for too long can cause body acne to form. “Get out of gym clothes or anything sweaty as soon as possible,” Dr. Houshmand says. “The faster the sweat evaporates, the less likely you are to develop bumps.” Shoulder Acne Cause #4: Hormones Due to an increase in sebum production from hormone fluctuations, adolescent women going through puberty are the most prone to a variety of forms of acne, which can include body acne. How to Clear Shoulder Acne If shoulder acne has made a home on the surface of your skin, here’s how you can help safely clear those blemishes: Shoulder Acne Tip #1: Use Anti-Bacterial Soaps and Body Washes As far as body wash goes, the fresh smell of lavender is a popular shower pick but if your skin is sensitive, using products formulated with fragrances may cause irritation. I recommend anti-bacterial soap to help clear shoulder acne, I always recommend using an antibacterial soap and an exfoliant such as SkinCeuticals Micro-Exfoliating Scrub. “If patients continue to have problems, I recommend adding SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense to their problem areas.” Shoulder Acne Tip #2: Cleanse With Benzoyl Peroxide or Salicylic Acid Body Wash Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are some of the most popular acne-fighting ingredients in skin-care products. You can find them in face washes, creams, gels, spot treatments and more. If using a benzoyl peroxide wash, let the product sit on your blemishes for a few minutes before rinsing. The skin on your shoulders is thicker so this tactic helps for better penetration of the ingredient. We also recommend trying the CeraVe SA Body Wash. It’s formulated with salicylic acid to help exfoliate bumpy skin without stripping the skin of its moisture. Shoulder Acne Tip #3: Try an Acne-Fighting Body Spray Shoulders aren’t the most easily accessible part of the body, which is why acne sprays come in handy for targeting blemish zones that are hard to reach. We recommend turning to AcneFree’s Body Clearing Acne Spray as it’s formulated with salicylic acid, glycolic acid vitamin B3 and aloe to help clear body breakouts.  Shoulder Acne Tip #4: Exfoliate Your Skin  “It is crucial to gently remove the buildup of skin cells on your shoulders by exfoliating when you shower,” says Dr. Houshmand. I recommends using products that contain alpha- hydroxy or beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs), which are chemical exfoliators. These ingredients help gently slough away any dirt, grime or buildup from your skin’s surface. Shoulder Acne Tip #5: Don’t Pick at Your Bumps Picking at your pimples will only worsen their appearance and can lead to infection. If you feel like you’ve exhausted all options, don’t resort to picking at your skin. “Instead, see a board-certified dermatologist for help with acne that won’t resolve,” Dr. Houshmand advises. “There are medications that can be prescribed to help clear acne,” Shoulder Acne Tip #6: Apply Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen Sunscreen is a necessity for protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays, yet many people still tend to forget to apply it all over their bodies. No matter what time of the year it is, Dr. Houshmand recommends applying sunscreen daily on your shoulders, face and any other areas of exposed skin. “You’ll want to make sure you’re protecting your skin with a non-comedogenic sunscreen,” she says. “If you have oily skin and are prone to blemishes, make sure your sunscreen is also oil-free.” The La Roche-Posay Clear Skin Oil-Free Sunscreen is made with SPF 60, absorbs excess oil and reduces shine without a greasy feel upon application.