| Treating acne on the back can be difficult and | | | | more than 10 minutes a day, because overexposure |
| frustrating, only because the area is hard to see and | | | | increases your risk of skin cancer. |
| reach. Here are five steps that you can take for | | | | On the other hand, if you live in a climate where it is |
| better skin health in general and a few pointers for | | | | possible, taking your shirt off and spending as little as |
| the back, specifically. | | | | 10 minutes in direct sunlight could help. Sunlight helps |
| 1. Buy a filter for your shower-head. Water filters for | | | | to dry up excessive sebum and it also causes the |
| the shower-head are becoming increasingly popular, | | | | production of molecules, such as hydrogen peroxide, |
| due in part to their mention on daytime TV shows. | | | | within the skin that have a slight antibacterial action. |
| One thing that was not mentioned on the shows is | | | | 4. Wear loose fitting clothing that breathes. If you |
| that showering in filtered water may reduce acne | | | | work out, don't wear those tight nylon tops that hug |
| outbreaks, all over the body, but specifically on the | | | | your skin. They cause irritation. |
| back. | | | | If you are a woman, make sure that your bra straps |
| We have a tendency to stand with our backs to the | | | | are not too tight. The continuous pressure causes |
| shower-head. Hot water, sometimes loaded with | | | | irritation that leads to break outs. Choose loose fitting |
| chemicals beats down on your back and feels great, | | | | natural materials that breathe. Cotton is a good |
| but it is damaging your skin. | | | | example. And, go bra-less whenever you can. |
| Research has shown that showering in tap water | | | | 5. Watch what you eat. Although this is the fifth step |
| changes the skin's natural pH level and causes | | | | here, it may be the most important. Some |
| excessive dryness. Your body responds to | | | | researchers believe that unhealthy dietary habits are |
| excessively dry skin by producing more oil or sebum. | | | | the underlying cause of moderate to severe acne, |
| Excessive sebum production is one of the causes of | | | | anywhere on the body. |
| acne. | | | | Years ago, people thought that drinking sodas and |
| 2. Use natural cleansers and don't scrub. The skin | | | | eating candy caused pimples. A single study led to |
| naturally has some defenses against the bacteria that | | | | the mainstream idea that diet was not a factor. The |
| cause acne. One is a slightly acidic pH level. | | | | study was flawed. |
| Most soaps and cleansers change the pH from slightly | | | | Now, we know that specific foods, especially junk |
| acidic to slightly alkaline, which allows bacteria to | | | | food and simple carbohydrates like white bread, |
| multiply greatly. Sulfur-based soaps have long been | | | | contribute to inflammation throughout the body and |
| recommended, because they have a neutral to | | | | stimulate the production of hormones that are |
| slightly acidic pH level, yet they clean just as well as | | | | believed to be the primary causes of acne. |
| other soaps. | | | | Avoid convenience and fast foods. Eat lots of fresh |
| If you don't like the fragrance of sulfur, don't buy a | | | | fruits and vegetables. Avoid white potatoes. Whether |
| product with artificial or added fragrances. They are | | | | they are baked, mashed or fried, they cause a spike |
| among the most common causes of allergic | | | | in blood sugar and insulin levels that contribute to |
| reactions, which can cause irritation and inflammation, | | | | inflammation. |
| another cause of pimples and blemishes. | | | | Choose fish whenever possible, instead of other |
| All natural cleansers that contain tea tree oil or | | | | meats. The oils in fatty fish are particularly beneficial, |
| manuka honey have antibacterial activity that will help | | | | because the omega-3 fatty acids they contain |
| heal blemishes and keep new ones from forming. | | | | reduce inflammation throughout the body. |
| Invest in a back scrubber with a soft sponge and | | | | Dairy products may also trigger breakouts. Some |
| replace it frequently. But, don't overdo it. | | | | people keep a food diary to help them figure out |
| Break outs are not caused by excessive dirt. Only | | | | which foods are problems. |
| use a cleanser or the scrubber when your skin is | | | | With consistency and a little time, the five steps here |
| actually dirty. Scrubbing can cause tiny scratches that | | | | should provide the results that you want. Remember |
| can lead to inflammation and infection. | | | | to take a good fish oil supplement and a daily |
| 3. Get a little sun. Again, don't overdo it. If you are | | | | multivitamin, too. Your skin will look better when it is |
| fair skinned, you should expose your skin for no | | | | well nourished. |