Stress, heat, lifestyle fuel surge in body Acne Cases in Bengaluru

Bengaluru: The stressful pace of urban life is beginning to show its effects on skin health in more ways than one in the city. Beyond the usual complaints of eczema flare-up and hairfall, dermatologists are increasingly seeing cases of back acne, commonly called bacne, and body acne among adolescents and young adults.

While acne was once largely associated with teenagers undergoing hormonal changes, doctors say multiple lifestyle and environmental factors are now causing people in their 20s, 30s, and even 40s to battle it.

“Many people are now experiencing acne not only on their faces, but also on the back, chest, shoulders and upper arms,” said Dr Sudheendra Udbalker, senior consultant, dermatology, Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road.

Doctors say body acne is often caused by a combination of excess oil production and fungal overgrowth on the skin. “This combination, which is definitely more common in summer, causes the fungus to grow and leads to something called folliculitis, which is inflammation of the hair follicle. It looks like acne,” said Dr Shireen Furtado, senior consultant, medical & cosmetic dermatology, Aster CMI Hospital. Stress, she added, worsens the condition by increasing oil production.

Dermatologists also point to hormonal changes, diet, genetics, pollution, tight clothing and poor hygiene after workouts as major contributing factors. “In some cases, back and body acne can also be triggered by oil massages done in parlours, external skin treatments, or diets that are high in fat and oily foods,” said Dr Surendra VHH, dermatologist, Apollo Hospitals, Jayanagar.

“Sweat, friction from tight clothing, bacterial growth, and skin irritation can worsen it further,” said Dr Sudheendra, adding that severe cases may lead to painful cystic acne, inflammation, and acne marks, affecting both skin health and self-esteem.

Body acne has also given rise to beauty trends such as back facials and exfoliating scrubs, commonly offered at salons and skincare clinics. However, dermatologists remain divided on their effectiveness. “The skin on the back is almost 10 times thicker than skin elsewhere on the body. So superficial treatments like back facials or scrubs are not going to work for acne or the marks left behind by it. It needs medical treatment,” said Dr Shireen.

Dr Sudheendra, however, said gentle exfoliation may help mild acne if done correctly, though aggressive scrubbing can worsen the condition.

Doctors recommend seeking medical treatment before opting for cosmetic procedures. “We recommend salicylic acid-based cleansers and topical applications. In severe cases, oral antibiotics, peeling agents, antibiotic creams and oral retinoids may also be prescribed,” said Dr Surendra.

If left untreated, doctors warn that body acne can lead to pigmentation and scarring.