
No matter where acne appears, it can be uncomfortable, embarrassing and stressful. This is especially true when they appear on your chest, an area that is more visible and harder to hide than other areas. But don’t worry – chest acne is more common (and treatable!) than many people realize. . We talked to dermatologists and estheticians about our 101 guide to understanding this particular type of body acne.
What is chest acne?
As defined by Papri Sarkar, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in Newton, Massachusetts, chest acne is often referred to as “folliculitis” because that’s what it is: an inflammatory process around the hair follicles. Just like acne on the face, there are several types and causes of chest acne. One type is caused by a high concentration of sweat glands in the skin that become clogged. Another cause may be hair growth, especially in men.
Dr. Sarkar added that people may be more likely to develop chest acne due to genetic factors if there are many people in the family who suffer from acne. Wearing tight, snug and non-breathable clothing while sweating can cause pimples to form on the skin underneath. According to Deanne Mraz Robinson, M.D., FAAD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Yale-New Haven Hospital and chair and co-founder of Modern Dermatology, this is in part why athletes or fitness enthusiasts are more likely to develop chest acne. As she explains, when we do a lot of exercise, it creates a combination of sweat, heat and friction, all of which provide the perfect mixture for bacteria to multiply in clogged pores.
In addition, says celebrity esthetician and dermatology nurse Natalie Aguilar, any time your hormones change, including intense stress, puberty, pregnancy or hormone supplementation (including birth control), you may be more prone to acne. “Stress produces hormones called androgens, which can irritate hair follicles and oil glands, leading to more inflammation and the development of acne,” she says. “Hormonal changes can cause your glands to produce more oil and lead to more acne, and the friction of clothing can irritate it and inflame it.”
How to get rid of chest acne
If you are experiencing acne, you want the fastest and easiest way to make it go away. Treating chest acne is a lot like treating facial acne, but there are some exceptions. Here are some important tips from the pros.
Change your closet.
Since sweating and irritation are a problem here, Dr. Sarkar recommends trying to wear dry, sweat-absorbing clothes that aren’t too tight and changing as soon as possible after sweating. The goal is to have some airflow between your skin and your clothes so it creates ventilation and doesn’t allow bacteria to collect in those pores.
Shower immediately after exercise.
If you can, shower immediately after completing your fitness routine. And make sure to strategize your skin care routine so that it contains the right ingredients. dr. Sarkar recommends using a cleanser that reduces bacterial overgrowth and contains some anti-acne agents, such as benzoyl peroxide. Her favorite over-the-counter remedy is Panoxyl Acne Foaming Wash Benzoyl Peroxide ($10; amazon.com). After showering, Dr. Robinson recommends using a gentle exfoliator to ensure all sweat is removed. Her top choice is Skinbetter AlphaRet Peel Pads ($110; skinbetter.com).
Watch out for sugar and nonfat milk.
When our diet is full of sugar, it can lead to increased acne. While we often associate sugar with sweets and drinks, Dr. Sarkar says that sometimes skim milk can cause acne. How can it? It contains more sugar than whole milk due to a higher concentration of carbohydrates and less fat.
Give your boobs some TLC.
While most people spend most of their lives developing the right regimen to keep their facial skin clean, few people give the same attention to the rest of their body. That’s why sometimes, chest acne can surprise us. As Aguilar says, where there are oil glands, there is a risk of clogged pores. In other words, the only difference between facial acne and chest acne is location and triggers. “The chest is exposed to different factors that don’t affect the face, such as clothing materials, bras, scarves, jewelry, perfumes, long hair and temperature,” she says. “It is also often overlooked compared to the face. Most people just start using skin care products on their chin and don’t regularly cleanse, moisturize and apply SPF to their chest.”
First, up your sunscreen game by being picky and diligent about SPF on your chest and make sure to use it daily, says Karen Fernandez, chief esthetician at SkinSpirit. “To fight acne and avoid the next breakout, choose a ‘physical’ sunscreen with physical coverage and no chemical SPF ingredients whenever possible.” This is important, she adds, because sun exposure and acne are a one-way ticket to scarring.