Say goodbye to butt acne with these dermatologist-approved tips

Butt acne is normal, but can sometimes get annoyingly painful! In fact, if this breakout on your butt aggravates, then it causes issues even when you walk or sit. It’s pretty similar to the breakouts on your face, and once again, oily skin is the biggest culprit in this case as well! 

What else should you know about butt pimples? We have a top dermatologist Dr Rinky Kapoor from The Esthetic Clinics who will reveal its causes, danger, precautions, and some hacks that you can use to treat butt acne.  

So, what’s butt acne?

Dr Kapoor reveals that butt acne appears in the form of red bumps on the skin. “It might sound surprising but those who have been suffering from butt acne must know that it requires patience and care to get rid of these bumps on the skin, without leaving behind a scar or hyperpigmentation”, she says. 

Causes of butt acne

According to Dr Kapoor, butt acne or zits on the butt, especially on the lower portion, is caused because of these reasons: 

1. Blocked pores

People who are prone to acne on other parts of their bodies can get it on their butts too. It is largely caused due to hormonal imbalance and increased oil secretion.

2. Irritation and blockage of hair follicles or folliculitis

This is caused because of friction between tight clothing or clothing made from unbreathable fabric and skin. This causes the skin to sweat and break the protective barrier.

“The staph bacteria gets a chance to enter the skin resulting in infection. The clogged hair follicles are filled with pus”, says Dr Kapoor.

3. Sweating and chafing

“This happens especially when you do a heavy physical workout or gym routine. The clothes rub against your skin, and cause infections in the hair follicles and irritate them”, she explains.

4. Keratosis Pilaris

These fine red bumps are not itchy or painful. They are caused because keratin protein blocks the hair follicles!

5. Contact dermatitis

This is mainly caused due to allergies caused by chemical substances.
“If not treated in time, butt acne can develop into carbuncles (painful boils on the skin) and cause scarring”, she cautions.

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Here are some precautions that can help you avoid butt acne

With a little care of your overall health, you can avoid butt acne altogether. All you need to do is:

• Wash your buttocks twice a day with a good antibacterial soap or use a good quality body wash. If you are already suffering from folliculitis, then you must wash your butt twice a day, morning and evening to help remove dirt, sweat, oil, and dead skin, giving it a chance to breathe and heal.
• Wear loose fit clothes. Tight fitting yoga pants, gym shorts, skinny jeans are the main culprits that contribute to butt breakouts. Also, ensure that your underwear is made of breathable fabric, such as natural cotton. Nylon holds the sweat against the skin causing blockage in hair follicles.
• Must shower after workout. Dry yourself thoroughly, and wear fresh clothes as sweat accumulation can also lead to butt acne.
• Exfoliate your butt regularly to remove dust and oil. “This helps remove the dead skin cells and other irritants. Don’t be too harsh on the skin, use fine gentle strokes”, she recommends
• Never pick or pluck butt pimples.
• Avoid using moistened wipes on the butt.
• Use non-greasy moisturizers such as those containing lactic acid or salicylic acids to avoid hyperpigmentation and drying.

Dr Kapoor also recommends some simple home hacks that can help you deal with butt acne

• • Mix some salt in hot water, dip a washcloth into it, and cover it over the area of outbreak. This will help soothe the area, open the pores, and drain away the pus. Wash well after using a warm compress.
  • Grind some fresh tulsi leaves, and add a few drops of the juice to your daily bath. The antimicrobial properties of tulsi will keep the infection from spreading and reduce inflammation.
  • Tea tree oil is antimicrobial, antifungal, and antibacterial in nature and reduces the spread of infection by helping to clean out the pores. Mix a few drops of tea tree oil with aloe vera gel, and apply twice a day.
  • Mix some fresh ground turmeric with water or milk to make a paste and apply on the affected areas. Let the paste dry before washing it off. Turmeric helps in reducing bacterial growth.Also, watch:

• Dab some fresh lime juice on the butt using a cotton swab, and wash off after 10 minutes. 
• Vinegar reduces bacterial growth on the bum. Add a few drops of apple cider vinegar to a warm bath every day. 

But ladies, if none of these remedies works out for you, then you must visit a dermatologist for help.