Spots and acne
on your back
Spots, blackheads and inflammation on your back or shoulders are very common. Your back has a lot of oil glands, and sweat and friction keep acne going there. With a herbal peel or a chemical peel, as a single treatment or as a back course, a lot can be done.
Not every bump on your back is acne. Sometimes it is a yeast in the hair follicles or an ingrown hair, and then a different approach works. That is why we first look at what it is, and ask about sport and clothing.
At Diba Clinics in Rotterdam we treat acne on your back and shoulders with the herbal peel or a chemical peel, on its own or as a back course. A herbal peel on the back costs € 200, a back course of three € 499. If scars have been left behind, microneedling can follow, from € 180. Sweat and friction keep back acne going, so the skin therapist also looks at what touches your skin.
What is on your back?
Spots, itchy bumps, ingrown hairs or what the acne left behind: each asks for something different. That is why we first look at what it is.
Spots and blackheads
truncal acne vulgaris- What the practitioner looks at
- Whether there are blackheads among them, how deep the inflammation goes, and whether it coincides with sport, sweat or clothing that rubs.
- What it is
- Plenty of oil glands, plus sweat and friction. A sports bra, a backpack and a shirt that does not breathe do more here than you think.
- What we do
- An acid-free herbal peel or a chemical peel, as a single treatment or as a back course of three. We also look at sport and clothing, because if those habits stay the same, little will change.
With a peel, microneedling or laser hair removal, matched to what is on your back. What it costs is shown below.
Itchy bumps after sweating
pityrosporum folliculitis- What the practitioner looks at
- Whether the bumps are all the same size, whether they itch, and whether blackheads are missing. That last point suggests it is not acne.
- What it is
- A yeast that normally lives on your skin grows in the hair follicles. Heat and sweat give it room. It looks like acne, but it is an inflammation caused by that yeast.
- What we do
- An antifungal treatment helps here, through your GP or the pharmacy. A peel does little here; that only comes once the skin has calmed down again.
An antifungal treatment helps here, through your GP or the pharmacy. After that, we are happy to look further at your skin.
Bumps around ingrown hairs
pseudofolliculitis- What the practitioner looks at
- Whether there is a hair in the middle of a bump, and whether it coincides with shaving or waxing.
- What it is
- A hair that grows back into the skin after shaving causes an inflammation that looks like a spot. In some men with back acne, ingrown hairs play a part.
- What we do
- Laser hair removal on the back reduces the hair, and that gives a calmer back. If the acne is active and inflamed, we treat that first; laser over inflamed skin makes it worse.
With a peel, microneedling or laser hair removal, matched to what is on your back. What it costs is shown below.
Scars and marks that stayed
acne scars and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation- What the practitioner looks at
- Whether the acne has calmed down, and whether it is about a shape, a pit, or about a colour that stayed behind.
- What it is
- A deep inflammation can break down connective tissue, and then a pit is left. A dark mark is pigment that stayed behind after the inflammation.
- What we do
- Microneedling with the SkinPen or the Dermapen 4 works on the shape of a scar and lightens pigment that stayed behind. We do that once the acne has calmed down.
With a peel, microneedling or laser hair removal, matched to what is on your back. What it costs is shown below.
What helps and what we advise against
With acne on your back, the result depends to a large extent on what you do outside the treatment room. That is why treatment and habits go together.
This works
- Looking at sport, clothing and what happens to your skin after sweating, because those habits keep back acne going
- An acid-free herbal peel or a chemical peel, as a single treatment or as a back course of three
- Microneedling for pits and dark marks that stayed on your back after the acne
- Laser hair removal when ingrown hairs keep the bumps on your back going
We advise against this
- Only treating and leaving the habits as they are. Then little changes
- A peel for itchy bumps caused by a yeast. That needs a different treatment
- Laser or microneedling over skin that is inflamed at that moment
- Tackling deep, painful lumps with peels alone. The GP looks at those first
What we use for this
With the prices for the back, from the same price list as the rest of the site.
Herbal peel
A peel of finely ground herbs, without acid. It calms the inflammation and works against bacteria.
- Back
- € 200
- Back course of three
- € 499
Medical peels
From light to strong. The strength decides how deep it goes and how much you flake.
- Mesoestetic peel, back
- € 160
- Mesoestetic back course of three
- € 399
Microneedling with the SkinPen
Medically certified microneedling. It works on the layer where the structure of your skin sits.
- Back
- € 255
Dermapen 4
Microneedling with vibrating needles that pass through the skin evenly.
- Back
- € 255
If you also have acne on your face, you can read what suits that on Treating acne in Rotterdam.
An appointment,
step by step
You hear beforehand which treatment suits you and what it costs, and you can say it is enough at any moment.
Looking first
The therapist looks at your back and asks about sport, clothing and what your skin does after sweating. You hear beforehand which treatment suits you.
The peel
A herbal peel is massaged into the skin and feels warm and scratchy. A chemical peel stings, but should not burn.
A few days of peeling
Afterwards your back is red and dry for a few days, and it peels. Do not pick at it, and no sun on the treated skin.
Frequently asked questions
Why do I get spots on my back?
Because your back has a lot of oil glands, and sweat and friction keep the inflammation going there. Sport, a sports bra, a backpack or a shirt that does not breathe often play a part.
What does a back treatment cost?
A herbal peel for the back costs € 200, and € 499 as a course of three. A chemical peel for the back costs € 160, and € 399 as a course of three. Microneedling of the back costs € 255 per treatment, for scars and marks. The intake costs € 50; if you have a treatment in the same appointment, that amount is deducted again. Which treatment suits you, and what the total will be, you hear in the intake.
How many treatments do I need?
Usually a series. For the back there is a course of three, and in the intake you hear whether that suits your skin or whether more is needed.
Herbal peel or chemical peel?
Both can be used on the back. The herbal peel works without acid and curbs the inflammation; a chemical peel works with acid and also helps with blocked pores. Which one it will be, the therapist decides based on your skin that day.
Does a back treatment hurt?
It stings or feels warm, but it should not burn. Say so straight away if it gets too much, and the therapist will adjust it.
What can you do yourself about spots on your back?
Shower as soon as possible after exercise and wear clothing that breathes. Sweat and friction keep back acne going, and without those habits a treatment changes little. A wash gel with salicylic acid can help prevent clogged pores on your back; don't scrub hard.
What are grandma's tips for spots on the back?
Many home remedies do more harm than good. Toothpaste or lemon juice irritates the skin and more often leaves a dark mark than the spot itself. Squeezing it yourself pushes the inflammation deeper. What does help: showering quickly after exercise and wearing clothes that breathe.
Will the scars on my back go away?
They can become less visible. A pit is a shape, not a mark; microneedling works on that shape, in a series with weeks in between. A dark mark often gets lighter too.
When should I see my GP first?
With deep, painful lumps, with acne that gets worse quickly or leaves scars, and with itchy bumps that come up after sweating. Sometimes you need a medicine that only a doctor can prescribe, and after that we are happy to take it further.
Have your back looked at. Then you know what it is.
In the intake we look at what is on your back and which treatment fits. You hear beforehand what it costs, and whether a course of three suits you.
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