Heal and prevent pimples and scars on chest skin with these tips from a dermatologist.
Why can people suddenly develop acne on their chest?
Chest acne can happen suddenly when the yeast germs on your skin are given the perfect conditions to thrive – such as warm, sweaty skin and a sugary diet. Hot weather, occlusive clothing or a sudden increase in your work out routine can provide just the right heat and moisture for yeast growth. Yeast love sugar too and a high carbohydrate diet is associated with worsening acne. Eating dairy rich foods can cause acne too.
Prickly heat (called miliaria) can also mimic acne.
Itchy or tender red bumps, some with white heads, happen from blocked sweat glands. It comes on suddenly. This happens when you wear occlusive fabric against your skin at the same time you sweat.
What typically causes chest acne?
Chest acne is usually caused by sweat, heat, wearing clothing made of fabric that doesn’t breathe, and a diet high in carbohydrates, sugar and dairy-containing foods. Any of these can cause chest acne – doing them all at once is a recipe for acne disaster!
How does chest acne differ from the acne you may experience on your face?
Chest acne is more often due to the Pityrosporum yeast. The pimples tend to be bright red and both itchy and tender at the same time. The skin is often studded with tiny bumps that are actually closed-over blocked pores. The bacteria that causes classic teenage acne, called C. acnes (formerly P. acnes) can play a role too, often working with the Pityrosporum yeast to cause the pimples. Chest acne tends to leave post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), meaning dark marks on your skin after the pimples heal. There are also tiny white scars left behind too.Facial acne can be caused by the Pityrosporum yeast or the C. acnes (formerly P. acnes) germ. This latter type of acne is the classic teenage acne where blackheads form along the t-zone and eventually the cheeks and entire face. Pimples tend to be sore and can become cystic. Lesions often heal with scars and skin indentations.
What can you do to get rid of chest acne?
Use medicated acne-fighting body wash with pyrithione zinc.
This is an ingredient found in some dandruff shampoos and also in my Foaming Zinc Cleanser. to help control Pityrosporum yeast growth.
Dr. Bailey’s Foaming Zinc Cleanser™Alternate the pyrithione zinc cleanser with a keratolytic cleanser.
Benzoyl peroxide wash or a salicylic and glycolic acid wash to help keep pores free from blockages. Benzoyl peroxide also helps kill the C. acnes bacteria, which can grow on chest skin and worsen chest acne.
My Back Acne Kit has everything you need to fight chest acne at dermatologist levels of medicated ingredients along with an exfoliating shower cloth.
Back and Body Acne Kit™Wash your skin as soon as possible after sweating. If you can’t hop in the shower, use skin cleansing wipes.
Shower daily with a medicated acne cleanser to prevent breakouts. Use an exfoliating shower cloth or scrub at least twice a week to help keep pores from becoming blocked.
Spot treat pimples with a benzoyl peroxide lotion.
Benzoyl peroxide will bleach colored fabric so wear a white tee shirt after applying benzoyl peroxide or washing with a benzoyl peroxide acne cleanser. Use my Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Treatment Cream at 2.5% or higher.
Dr. Bailey’s Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Treatment Cream 2.5% Sensitive Skin™Wear fabric against your chest skin that breathes.
Wear a light-weight and oil free broad spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen to prevent hyperpigmentation from healed acne lesions.
PIH lasts much longer than acne and can leave lasting marks long after chest acne has cleared! My Sheer Strength Pure Physical Spray SPF 50+ Sunscreen is the perfect choice. It’s even water resistant to 40 minutes.
Dr. Bailey’s Sheer Strength Pure Physical Spray Sunscreen SPF 50+™What can women and men do to prevent chest acne from forming in the first place?
Start using an acne-fighting body wash routine before chest acne happens. As weather heats up expect to battle acne, and have your prevention strategy well in place. Cleanse your chest skin with a gently exfoliating shower cloth and alternate a pyrithione zinc cleanser with either a benzoyl peroxide acne fighting cleanser or a 2% salicylic acid and 2+% glycolic acid acne cleanser.My Back (and Chest) Acne Kit has what you need. Have my 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Treatment Cream on hand to spot treat pimples when they are small. If you are allergic to benzoyl peroxide, use my Foaming Zinc Soap with my Foaming Acne Treatment Cleanser and the Salux Cloth. Use my Acne Treatment Pads to remove skin oil when you can’t hop into the shower to treat pimple prone areas.
Dr. Bailey’s Salicylic and Glycolic Acid Acne Treatment Pads™ Be sure you have breathable work-out clothing. Shower as soon as possible after sweaty activities. Be sure to eat a diet rich in fresh fruits and veggies and whole foods. Shun sugary high carb foods and dairy rich foods. Substitute non-dairy milk products for dairy products. Drink lots of water or non-sweetened beverages instead of sugary ones that will raise your blood sugar and lead to acne.How can you heal brown ‘scars’ (post inflammatory hyperpigmentation) from chest acne fast?
Protect skin from sun exposure by wearing a broad spectrum sunscreen during all sun exposure. Apply pigment lightening products such as hydroquinone and botanical pigment lighteners. My Pigment Fading Pads have the most effective combination of ingredients to heal PIH. Pigment Fading Pads Use a retinoid such as my Retinol Night Cream or prescription tretinoin at night. Retinol Ultra-Intensive Anti-Wrinkle Night Cream™ During the day apply glycolic acid under your sunscreen. My Glycolic Acid Body Lotion contains a full 15% glycolic acid in a light-weight non-comedogenic, oil free lotion that’s perfect for healing PIH Glycolic Acid 15% Body LotionFor more information on these products and my tips to get rid of stubborn, chest acne, click here.
About The Author
Cynthia Bailey, MD Dr. Bailey Skin Care Dermatologist (888) 467-0177 425 South Main St Sebastopol, CA95472 US
/* general yuzo style */ .yuzo_pro{ overflow: hidden; padding: 10px 0; margin: 10px 0; width: 100%; display: block; /*float: left;*/ /*problem with other plugins*/ clear: both; } .yuzo_pro .yuzo_clearfixed, .yuzo_widget_wrap .yuzo_clearfixed{clear: both;display: block;margin: 5px 0;} .yuzo_pro .text-center { text-align:center;margin:0 auto;display:block; } .yuzo_pro h3 {margin-bottom: 0!important} .yuzo_pro .relatedposts {margin: 0 0 20px 0; float: left; font-size: 12px;} .yuzo_pro .relatedposts h3 {font-size: 20px; /*margin: 0 0 5px 0;*/ } .yuzo_pro .relatedthumb {margin: 0 1px 0 1px; float: left;line-height: 15px;text-align: left; /*padding: 5px;*/ } .yuzo_pro .relatedthumb img {margin: 0 0 3px 0; padding: 0;} .yuzo_pro .relatedthumb a {overflow: hidden; text-decoration: none; display:block; padding:0;background-image: none;background-color:transparent; } .yuzo_pro .yuzo_text { margin-top: 10px; display: block; } .yuzo_pro .relatedthumb .yuzo-img-wrap{ margin-bottom: 4px; } .yuzo_pro .yuzo__bf_text{margin:10px auto;} .yuzo_pro .yuzo__title--centered { text-align:center;display:block;margin:0 auto; } #wp-admin-bar-admin_yuzo_views .yuzo_menu_bar_icons{ margin-left: 5px;width: 20px;height: 26px;background-image:url('https://www.drbaileyskincare.com/info/wp-content/plugins/yuzo-pro/assets/images/fires3.png');background-repeat: no-repeat; position: absolute;top: 0;left: 0; } #wp-admin-bar-admin_yuzo_views .ab-item{ position: relative; padding-left: 26px!important;} #wp-admin-bar-admin_yuzo_views .yuzo_menu_bar_icons.color_normal{ background-position: -3px 5px; } #wp-admin-bar-admin_yuzo_views .yuzo_menu_bar_icons.color_flare_hot{ background-position: -22px 5px; } #wp-admin-bar-admin_yuzo_views .yuzo_menu_bar_icons.color_flare_hot2{ background-position: -43px 5px; } #wp-admin-bar-admin_yuzo_views .yuzo_menu_bar_icons.color_flare_hot3{ background-position: -62px 5px; } #wp-admin-bar-admin_yuzo_views .yuzo_menu_bar_icons.color_flare_hot4{ background-position: -83px 5px; } /* theme standar style */ .yuzo_pro .relatedthumb.box_shadow_related .yuzo-img { /*box-shadow: 1px 1px 3px rgba(227, 227, 227, 1);*/ box-shadow: 0 1px 4px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) !important;} .yuzo_pro img{ width:31.65px !important; height:200px !important; } .yuzo_pro .relatedthumb{ line-height:inherit;background: ;color:!important; } .yuzo_pro .relatedthumb:hover{ background:#FCFCD2 !important; -webkit-transition: background 0.2s linear; -moz-transition: background 0.2s linear; -o-transition: background 0.2s linear; transition: background 0.2s linear;;color:!important; } .yuzo_pro .relatedthumb a{ color:!important;text-decoration:none;outline:none;border-bottom:0; } .yuzo_pro .relatedthumb a:active,.yuzo_pro .relatedthumb a:focus,.yuzo_pro .relatedthumb a:-webkit-any-link{ color:}!important;text-decoration:none;outline:none;border-bottom:0; } .yuzo_pro .relatedthumb:hover a{ color:!important; } .yuzo_pro .relatedthumb:hover .yuzo__text--title{ color:!important; } .yuzo_pro .yuzo_text, .yuzo_pro .yuzo_views_post { color:!important; } .yuzo_pro .relatedthumb:hover .yuzo_text, .yuzo_pro:hover .yuzo_views_post { color:!important; } .yuzo_pro .relatedthumb{ box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0% 1% 0% 0%!important; padding: 5px 5px 5px 5px; } .yuzo_pro .relatedthumb .icon_middle_only_style_1 { display:none; } .yuzo_pro .relatedthumb .yuzo_meta { margin:2px 2px 2px 2px;;font-size: 12px;color: #7a7a7a; text-align: left ; ;line-height:12px; } .yuzo_pro .relatedthumb .yuzo_meta .yuzo_meta_view, .yuzo_pro .relatedthumb .yuzo_meta .yuzo_meta_date, .yuzo_pro .relatedthumb .yuzo_meta .yuzo_meta_category, .yuzo_pro .relatedthumb .yuzo_meta .yuzo_meta_author{ display:inline; margin:0 5px; } .yuzo_pro .relatedthumb .yuzo_meta > div:nth-child(1) { margin-left: 0!important; text-align: left; margin-right: 0!important; } .yuzo_pro .relatedthumb .yuzo_meta .yuzo_meta_view:before{ content:''; font-family: 'Fontawesome'; font-size:13px;padding-right: 1px; } .yuzo_pro .relatedthumb .yuzo_meta .yuzo_meta_date:before{ content:''; font-family: 'Fontawesome'; font-size:13px;padding-right: 1px; } .yuzo_pro .relatedthumb .yuzo_meta .yuzo_meta_category:before{ content:''; font-family: 'Fontawesome'; font-size:13px;padding-right: 1px; } .yuzo_pro .relatedthumb .yuzo_meta .yuzo_meta_author:before{ content:''; font-family: 'Fontawesome'; font-size:13px;padding-right: 1px; } .yuzo_pro .relatedthumb .yuzo-img{ }.yuzo_pro .relatedthumb:hover .yuzo-img{ -webkit-filter: brightness(1.5);filter: brightness(1.5); } /* for widgets */ .yuzo_pro.ycolumns-widget{} .yuzo_pro.ycolumns-widget .relatedthumb{ width: 100%; } .yuzo_pro .yuzo_wraps{margin-top:5px;} /* responsive */ .yuzo_pro.ycolumns-5 .relatedthumb { width:31.65%; } .yuzo_pro.ycolumns-4 .relatedthumb { width:31.65%; } .yuzo_pro.ycolumns-3 .relatedthumb { width:31.65%; } .yuzo_pro.ycolumns-2 .relatedthumb { width:31.65%; } @media all and (max-width: 899px) { .yuzo_pro.ycolumns-4 .relatedthumb { width:47.6%; } } @media all and (max-width: 750px) { .yuzo_pro.ycolumns-4 .relatedthumb { width:47.6%; } .yuzo_pro.ycolumns-5 .relatedthumb { width:47.6%; } .yuzo_pro.ycolumns-5.yrows-1 .yuzo_wraps .relatedthumb:nth-child(5) { display: none; } } @media all and (max-width: 550px) { .yuzo_pro.ycolumns-3 .yuzo_wraps .relatedthumb, .yuzo_pro.ycolumns-4 .yuzo_wraps .relatedthumb { width:48.6%; } .yuzo_pro.ycolumns-3 .yuzo_wraps .relatedthumb .yuzo-img-wrap , .yuzo_pro.ycolumns-4 .yuzo_wraps .relatedthumb .yuzo-img-wrap, .yuzo_pro.ycolumns-3 .yuzo_wraps .relatedthumb .yuzo-img , .yuzo_pro.ycolumns-4 .yuzo_wraps .relatedthumb .yuzo-img { height:160px!important; } } @media all and (max-width: 420px) { .yuzo_pro.ycolumns-3,.yuzo_pro.ycolumns-4,.yuzo_pro.ycolumns-2,.yuzo_pro.ycolumns-5{ margin:0 auto;} .yuzo_pro.ycolumns-3 .relatedthumb,.yuzo_pro.ycolumns-4 .relatedthumb,.yuzo_pro.ycolumns-2 .relatedthumb,.yuzo_pro.ycolumns-5 .relatedthumb { width:100%; margin:0 } } .yuzo_pro.theme_standar-style-1 .yuzo_text{ display: block; } .yuzo_pro{} .yuzo_pro .relatedthumb{}jQuery(document).ready(function( $ ){ jQuery('.yuzo_pro .yuzo_wraps').equalizer({ columns : '> div' }); });jQuery(document).ready(function(o){yuzo_js.is_singular&&1==yuzo_js.view_ajax&&jQuery.ajax({type:"GET",url:yuzo_js.ajaxur,data:"postviews_id="+yuzo_js.post_id+"&action=yuzo-plus-views&is_singular="+yuzo_js.is_singular,cache:!1});var s=1;jQuery(".wrap_button_ajax").on("click",function(o){o.preventDefault();var a=jQuery(".wrap_more_ajax").attr("data-num-post");jQuery(".animation_load_posts").css("display","block"),jQuery(".button-loads-more-post").css("display","none"),jQuery.ajax({url:yuzo_js.ajaxur,data:{action:"action_load_more_post",nonce:yuzo_js.nonce,sql:jQuery(".wrap_more_ajax").attr("data-sql"),ppp:a,page:s*a,title:yuzo_js.title,lang:yuzo_js.lang},success:function(o){if(1!=o)return jQuery(".wrap_more_ajax").append(o),jQuery(".animation_load_posts").css("display","none"),jQuery(".button-loads-more-post").css("display","block"),s++,void console.log(s);1==o&&(jQuery(".animation_load_posts").css("display","none"),jQuery(".button-loads-more-post").css("display","none"),jQuery(".yuzo-text-loads-more-no-post").css("display","block"))},type:"POST"}).fail(function(o,s,a){console.log("Error!! jqXHR:"+o+" textStatus:"+s+" errorThrown:"+a),jQuery(".animation_load_posts").css("display","none"),jQuery(".button-loads-more-post").css("display","block")})}).on("dblclick",function(o){o.preventDefault()}),1==yuzo_js.load_per_scroll&&1==o(".yuzo_pro").length&&o(window).on("scroll",function(){var s=o(window).scrollTop();height=o(".yuzo_pro").position().top,s>=height-o(window).height()/2-100&&(o(window).unbind("scroll"),o.ajax({url:yuzo_js.ajaxur,data:{action:"load_related_scroll",load_by_scroll:1,post_id:yuzo_js.post_id,is_singular:yuzo_js.is_singular,is_search:yuzo_js.is_search,is_archive:yuzo_js.is_archive,is_feed:yuzo_js.is_feed,is_home:yuzo_js.is_home,is_front_page:yuzo_js.is_front_page,title:yuzo_js.title},success:function(s){1!=s&&0!=s?(o(".animation_load_posts_pre").remove(),o(".yuzo_pro").append(s),o(window).unbind("scroll")):1!=s&&0!=s||o(".animation_load_posts_pre").remove()},type:"GET"}).fail(function(s,a,e){console.log("Error the load scroll related!! jqXHR:"+s+" textStatus:"+a+" errorThrown:"+e),o(".animation_load_posts_pre").length>0&&o(".animation_load_posts_pre").remove()}))})});jQuery(document).ready(function(a){function b(a,b,c){if(c){var d=new Date;d.setTime(d.getTime()+24*c*60*60*1e3);var e="; expires="+d.toGMTString()}else var e="";document.cookie=a+"="+b+e+"; path=/"}function c(a){var b="; "+document.cookie,c=b.split("; "+a+"=");if(2==c.length)return c.pop().split(";").shift()}function d(a){b(a,"",-1)}function e(){var b=c("yuzoclick_"+yuzo_js.post_id);if(b){var e=b.split("|");b=e[0];var f=e[1];b&&(d("yuzoclick_"+b),a.ajax({url:yuzo_js.ajaxur,data:{action:"action_click",nonce:yuzo_js.nonce,post_id:b,ip:f},success:function(a){console.log(a)},type:"POST"}).fail(function(a,b,c){console.log(a),console.log("yuzo: Error count clicks:"+a+" textStatus:"+b+" errorThrown:"+c)}))}}a(document).on("click",".yuzo_pro .relatedthumb, .yuzo_pro_w .relatedthumb",function(c){if(c.preventDefault(),a(this).attr("data-href"))var d=a(this).attr("data-href");else{var e=a(this);k=1;do e=e.parent(),k++;while(!e.attr("data-href")&&k
Share this Post