How to Get Rid of Neck Acne
Neck acne is a problem that is similar to facial acne but with some clear distinctions. While the pimples, whiteheads, blackheads and lesions that are associated with acne are present in this case also, the skin of the neck area is different from the facial skin and this means that the nature of the acne is also different. There are some researchers who feel that neck acne has more in common with body acne such as that found on the back or shoulders of a person. The skin on the neck is thicker and this makes for more resistance to acne treatments and also means that the lesions from acne are more noticeable.
Acne is caused by the pores of the skin getting clogged with dirt and bodily oils. This leads to dead cells getting stuck on the skin and erupts as acne. Acne appears as small skin eruptions but in some cases they can burst and result in pus seeping out. This basic pattern of acne applies to neck acne also. The neck area produces a lot of oils and because of its physical location, it sometimes traps sweat also. A combination of the oils, sweat and bacteria makes for a recipe for acne. Moreover, clothing very often adds to the irritation of the neck. Friction from collars, materials that prevent the skin from breathing and tightness around the throat that cuts of air circulation can all aggravate neck acne. It has been found that boys and men are more likely to experience neck acne than girls or women.
Neck acne, like facial acne, can be a source of embarrassment and stress. But the good news is that once again like acne on the face it is manageable. Some easy things you can try include wearing loose fitting clothes that allow air circulation around the neck and choosing cotton or similar fabrics that are known to promote skin health.
Other than this, you should be rigorous in cleansing the skin of the neck. While for most people one thorough cleansing a day maybe adequate, if you are prone to neck acne you should clean at least twice a day. By picking the right kind of cleanser you can keep the oil build-up in the area to a minimum. If you play a sport or exercise vigorously, you should make sure that you wash your neck well when you have been sweating. There is no overstating the importance of basic hygiene in avoiding skin difficulties.
While it is important to keep the skin clean, once you have acne do not play around with your skin and try to pick the acne or pinch the skin in any way. Clean and pat dry without trying to force the acne away by pressing. All this will only serve to aggravate the problem.
If you have neck acne in an area where you shave, be very careful to not cut or harm the skin in any way.
There are several recommendations for topical applications to counter neck acne and these range from Salicylic acid to alpha hydroxy acid. These are generally the ingredients available in many over-the-counter acne ointments also. These do help some people in reducing the impact of neck acne although not everybody finds them effective.
There are also some prescription ointments available for dealing with neck acne, along with other kinds of acne. You should talk to a doctor before starting a course of treatment such as this because some of these contain chemicals that are known to have long-term side effects. While neck acne is likely to be a problem that goes away or subsides in adulthood, the side-effects may well linger and so it is worth weighing your pros and cons before trying prescription drugs for neck acne.