When it comes to any activity that involves exposing your chest area, you want to look and feel your best, whether it is at the beach, at home, or anywhere. The last thing you want to people to notice is body acne – particularly, chest acne. Some acne on the face is normal for almost everyone at some point in their life, but chest acne can be quite embarrassing as it is not usually expected in this area. Having bad chest acne can cause self esteem issues and cause you to shy away from social situations due to embarrassment. If you are wondering how to get rid of chest acne, then read on.

The Cause of Chest Acne

Let’s be clear one thing first: Scientists have no idea what causes acne. They know it has a bit to do with skin oils (sebum) clogging pores, and then those pores becoming infect by a bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes or just P. acnes for short. However, what really stumps scientists is that they have no idea why some people get acne and others don’t. Some people have oily skin and get acne. Some people have dry skin and get acne. Some people transcend through puberty and their teens years with flawless skin, and never experience so much as a minor blemish or pimple. Some people get severe acne from their teen years on into their 30s and 40s. Some people get terrible acne on their face but none on their back or chest. Some people get it mildly on the face but terrible on the chest and/or back. And nobody knows exactly why. Before you think about how to get rid of chest acne, you first need to understand that the cause is probably nothing that you are doing wrong, but quite simply your genetics. You are simply genetically predisposed to have chest acne.

How to get rid of Chest Acne – Over the Counter Treatments

Here are some ways to get rid of chest acne that are over the counter. Try all of these methods first before moving on to the prescription medicines.

Salicylic Acid

Gently use a loofah (shower sponge) when bathing and lather up some salicylic acid and gently scrub the chest area. This will help keep the area oil free. This is especially important after working out, when sweat, dirt and oil are at their peak. Also, it might be beneficial to add in an anti bacterial soap, but make sure it is mild and does not dry out the skin too much, especially if you have sensitive skin, or you will do more harm than good.

Benzol Peroxide

Benzol Peroxide, along with salicylic acid, is the most common over the counter acne treatment available. Benzol Peroxide comes in the form of a white lotion/gel that you run into skin, and it kills the bacteria P. acnes (the bacteria that cause acne). Benzol Peroxide works wonders for some, and not so well for others, but you will never know unless you try it for yourself. Benzol Peroxide comes in several strengths: 2.5%, 5%, and 10%. Some people opt straight for 10% because they think it is the most powerful, but 2.5 and 5% have been shown in clinical trials to treat acne just as well, and with less skin irritation. I personally recommend trying a lower percent benzol peroxide first, then possibly moving on to the harder stuff.

ORGANIC Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar comes from, you guessed it, apples. This is a funky little acne treatment that works well for some and has seemingly no affect for others. The most common way to use apple cider vinegar to fight acne is to drink it, about 2 – 4 tablespoons a day. The theory behind its efficacy is that it helps regulate the pH of the skin to keep it soft, smooth, and acne free. If you drink apple cider vinegar, makes sure to dilute it in water first and sip it through a straw. If you drink it normally, it may dissolve the enamel on your teeth and cause tooth decay. Alternatively, some people run the apple cider vinegar into their skin rather than drinking it. It is also recommend that you dilute it in with water before rubbing it in as well, maybe 1 part apple cider vinegar and 5 parts water. Try both and see what works best. Also, make sure you buy ORGANIC apple cider vinegar to get the strongest acne fighting benefits.

Products that Contain Sulfur and Resorcinol

Sulfur and resorcinol have been used as an acre treatment for hundreds of years. They work by drying and peeling overly oily skin so that the oil will not clog the pores and become infected. One product that contains both sulfur resorcinol is Clearasil.

How to get rid of Chest Acne – Prescriptions

If you have tried these over the counter treatments with no success, then it may be time to move on to several prescriptions medications to get rid of your chest acne.

Oral Antibiotics

These work by like other antibiotics do: They kill bacteria, but they are specifically designed to target P. acnes (the bacteria that cause acne). Like all acne treatments, people have varying degrees of success with them, and there are several kinds on the market, with new ones constantly coming out. Overall, the success rate with oral antibiotics is usually pretty low, but you never know unless you try it for yourself.

Retin-a

Retin-a is a cream that you massage into the skin that shrinks the pores and dries up any oil so that the pores do not get clogged as easily. Smaller pores that are less likely to get clogged mean less break outs. Retin-a usually provides decent results. There are several medications that contain retin-a on the market. Epiduo contains both retin-a and benzol peroxide.

Accutane

Accutane has always been notorious for having horrible side effects and it is now finally banned because it has been linked to side effects such as IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and Chron’s disease. This is a shame, because Accutane is by the far the strong acne medication ever developed. Acctune will completely wipe out acne in 99% of patients, but it does come with lots of terrible side effects. You can still find accutane on the black market, usually online from offshore pharmacies (the kind that bank of selling Viagra, etc.). However, I strongly advise against taking accutane (especially from an untrusted source). The only time when taking accutane might be justified are cases when the acne of the patient is so severe that is stands out as far beyond the normal limits and it is literally running their life, causing a severe state of depression and isolation from social activities. Even then, all other possible treatments must be considered first, because the side effects from accutane can be horrible, far worse than depression caused by the acne in the first place.

Other Products on the Horizon

There are constantly new acne medications being developed. One day, scientists will find a way to cure acne, and every day we get a just a little bit closer. If you are wondering how to get rid of chest acne in the best possible way, make sure you meet with a highly experienced dermatologist, possibly more than just one as some aren’t as good as others, and explore both the newest prescription and over the counter acne medications, as well as the “tried and true” methods that have withstood the test of time.