Chest Acne Treatment

Chest acne is an extremely common skin condition that can affect patients of any gender well into adult life. A form of traditional acne, known as acne vulgaris, chest acne plagues millions of Americans every year. Characterized by blemishes that are swollen, red, inflamed, and/or painful, chest acne can be a nuisance to deal with and can make many patients self-conscious. There are a variety of different risk factors for developing chest acne breakouts, including biological factors that are difficult to manage, such as hormonal fluctuations due to puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, stress, and lifestyle habits. The types of skincare products you use, the frequency with which you shower, and the amount of exposure to the sun you have can all affect the presence of chest pimples. Luckily, when seeking to manage current chest acne breakouts and prevent future pimples and acne scarring, there are many acne treatment options available at Dr. Michele Green’s private New York City dermatology office.

For some patients, chest acne treatment and prevention of new breakouts can be as easy as making minor lifestyle changes, such as switching laundry detergents, staying hydrated, and limiting sugar and carbohydrate intake. The use of proper skin care products is also essential and Dr. Green can recommend lotions, creams, moisturizers, and sunscreens from her propriety MGSKINLABs that will keep your skin clean, clear, and hydrated. There are also many options for acne treatment skincare products that can help to clear up current outbreaks, such as topical ointments containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. If your acne breakouts have led to acne scarring, Dr. Green’s office has many options to eliminate the appearance of acne scars from laser treatment, to HydraFacial, to chemical peels. When navigating all of the treatment options, board-certified, experienced dermatologist, Dr. Green, is an expert in acne treatments and acne scar removal.

Though chest acne can be a frustrating experience for many, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michele Green is here to help. Dr. Michele Green is an internationally renowned expert in treating stubborn acne, body acne, and acne scars, and has over 25 years of experience in dermatology. Dr. Green is consistently voted as one of the best doctors in New York Magazine, Castle Connolly, Super Doctors, and the New York Times for her dedication to her patients and expertise. In her private dermatology office in NYC, she offers personalized acne treatment options for patients with mild acne breakouts to the most persistent and severe acne. From choosing the correct skin care products, over-the counter treatments, prescription medications, and in office lasers and light therapies, Dr. Green is here to help.

Acne, or acne vulgaris, is a very common condition characterized by blemishes on the skin, which can occur anywhere in the body that has oil glands, including the face, stomach, back, and chest. Chest acne is acne vulgaris that presents as breakouts on the chest when there is a build-up of sebum (or oil) on the skin. When excess oil combines with debris, such as dead skin cells, it can clog the hair follicles, leaving us with a swollen, irritated pimple. Chest acne, just like facial acne, can appear in a variety of forms, including blackheads, whiteheads, and cysts. Acne is, according to the American Academy of dermatology, the most common skin condition in the United States, that affects millions Americans each year and can continue beyond teenage pubescent years into adulthood.

What are the different types of acne?

Chest acne can take several different forms, including non-inflammatory comedones such as blackheads and whiteheads, inflammatory acne such as papules, and pustules, and cystic acne. Non-inflammatory comedones are blemishes on the skin that can be closed (whiteheads) or open (blackheads). The closed comedones, or whiteheads, are clogged pores in which the debris is not exposed to the surface of the skin. The swollen blemishes often appear white at the top of the raised bump. Open comedones, on the other hand, are clogged pores in which the material clogging the pore is open to the surface of the skin, leading to oxidation of the debris, which makes the acne appear black. Inflammatory acne occurs when the debris clogging the pores include bacteria. The bacteria can cause further inflammation, which can lead to papules, red, irritated bumps that form when bacteria clogs the pores, and pustules, red, irritated bumps that contain pus. Cystic acne is another type of acne that can occur, which is characterized by cysts that form under the skin when bacteria is caught in the clogged pores. Cystic acne occurs deep within the skin and can be very painful and lead to scarring.

If you are suffering from red bumps along your chest that are not responding to traditional acne treatment, it may be that you are dealing with folliculitis. Folliculitis is a condition in which yeast or fungus causes inflammation of the hair follicles. Folliculitis can be treated but does not respond to regular acne treatment.  Similarly, rosacea, a condition characterized by small bumps and redness, can also affect the chest area but will not respond to acne medication. It is best to consult Dr. Green for a treatment plan if you suspect you are suffering from folliculitis or rosacea so you can receive proper treatment for the condition.

Is Chest Acne Normal?

Acne is a very common skin condition that affects up to 50 million Americans each year. And for many, acne blemishes can appear well beyond teenage years. According to researchers published in the American Academy of dermatology, more than 50% of women in their 20s suffer from acne, and adult acne affects 35.2%, 26.3%, and 15.3% of women in their 30s, 40s, and 50s respectively. Chest acne can appear for a variety of reasons. For some, the appearance of acne is largely attributed to genetics. Some patients have naturally oily skin and are therefore simply more prone to blemishes than others due to their skin’s natural oil production. Pimples or zits can develop wherever an excess oil production occurs, including on the chest. For some patients, lifestyle choices can affect whether or not acne may develop. For example, tight clothing paired with excessive sweating, dyed or scented soaps and laundry detergents, infrequent showers, dehydration, and increased sun exposure can all be risk factors for the development of acne.  Chest acne is normal and usually develops in the same way as acne on the face or elsewhere on the body.

What are the causes of Chest Acne?

Any type of acne, including chest acne, is caused when clogging of the pilosebaceous units in an area of the body occurs. The pilosebaceous unit includes the hair shaft, hair follicle, and the sebaceous gland, or the gland responsible for the production of the oil called sebum on the skin. These pores on the skin can become clogged when there is a high amount of sebum being produced by the body, which can occur for a variety of reasons, including fluctuations of the hormones called androgens, and to compensate for dry skin. The excess oil can clog the pores along with bacteria, dead skin, and other debris on the skin, which leads to acne’s characteristic swelling and redness. Acne can also become inflamed when bacteria are trapped in the pilosebaceous unit, leading to inflammatory acne, which, when left untreated, can pose a greater risk for scarring following the breakout.

What are the risk factors for developing chest acne?

There are many different factors that can put patients at risk for developing chest acne, some of which are genetic or biological, but many potential risk factors are lifestyle choices that can easily be adjusted to prevent future outbreaks. A list of potential risk factors are as follows:

Hormones – Hormone fluctuations can wreak havoc on many systems in the body, including the skin. When there are changes in the androgen hormones, fluctuations can trigger the oil glands to produce more sebum. This excess sebum production can lead to clogging of the pores and an increased risk for the development of acne. Hormone fluctuations can occur in many situations throughout life, including during puberty, in the days before menstruation, and during pregnancy.

Stress – Stress can also lead to fluctuations of the androgen hormones, which trigger the increased production of oil, leading to oily skin and a greater risk of developing acne.

Diet – Studies have started to show that high consumption of certain food groups can trigger acne outbreaks, including high-sugar and high-carbohydrate diets. Consuming high amounts of sugar can lead to spikes in blood sugar, which can trigger spikes in acne in areas of the body prone to outbreaks, including the chest.

Sun exposure – Many people believe that exposure to the sun can help with acne, but in fact, it is the other way around. Spending a lot of time in the sun, especially when dehydrated, can dry out your skin. When you are experiencing dry skin, the body will compensate by increasing production of sebum on the skin, which can then lead to clogged pores. Further, the dead, dry skin can make pore clogging even worse, leading to acne outbreaks.

Dehydration – When you are dehydrated, the skin can become dry and flaky. When this occurs, the body compensates by triggering the production of oil to rehydrate the skin. However, the excess oil production mixed with the dry skin can lead to clogged pores and acne outbreaks.

Laundry Detergent – It is very important to keep you clothing clean to help prevent outbreaks of acne. However, if you are experiencing outbreaks of chest acne even when your clothing is clean, it is possible that the dyed or scented laundry detergent you are using is causing irritation to your skin. In this case, it is best to seek out detergent labeled “hypoallergenic”

Certain medications – Certain prescription medications, including corticosteroids, testosterone, and lithium, can cause an increase in acne outbreaks. If this is the case, consult with your doctor to see if it is safe to try a different medication or treatment plan. If you are seeking acne treatment from Dr. Green, be sure to disclose the medications you are taking during your consultation appointment.

When to See your Dermatologist for Chest Acne?

If you suffer from continuous chest acne, or begin to see scarring develop due to your acne breakouts on the chest, we recommend meeting with Dr. Green for an evaluation. Many times, patients try to treat their acne or acne scarring with over-the-counter treatments, and are unable to control their breakouts. When you work with Dr. Green, she’ll be able to assess your current skin condition to determine which acne treatments will be best for you, and can work with you to make sure that your active acne is controlled, and that your acne scars are safely and effectively treated.

Hormonal Causes of Chest Acne

Hormonal acne breakouts can consist of any type of acne lesion, from blackheads and whiteheads to painful cysts, that often present along the jawline and lower face and may tend to occur in a cyclical pattern. Hormonal acne breakouts may be triggered by a number of underlying factors, but are typically caused by fluctuations in various androgen hormones. Certain androgens can stimulate the oil glands in the skin to produce excess oil, causing pores to become clogged and leading to acne breakouts. Chest acne can be exacerbated by certain lifestyle and hygiene habits such as wearing tight-fitting clothing, failing to shower after exercise, and more.

Hormonal acne is a type of acne vulgaris that can affect men and women of any age, although women between the ages of 20-40 are most susceptible to experiencing hormonal acne. Individuals that are going through puberty, pregnancy, or menopause are also more likely to develop hormonal acne breakouts and hormonal chest acne may also be linked to taking certain medications, underlying medical conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and various stages of the menstrual cycle.

There are a number of ways to address hormonal body acne, including topical and oral medications, like Winlevi and Spironolactone, that can be prescribed by a dermatologist, such as Dr. Green in NYC. Winlevi is a topical cream that contains the medication clascoterone, an androgen receptor inhibitor. Winlevi works by preventing androgen activity in the sebaceous glands of the skin, keeping them from producing too much sebum. By limiting the effects of androgens on the oil glands, Winlevi helps reduce acne breakouts. Spironolactone is a medication that helps to regulate levels of androgen hormones, such as testosterone, in the body. By lowering levels of androgen hormones, spironolactone in turn helps regulate the skin’s oil production and reduces breakouts.

Topical Spironolactone is an innovative treatment option for acne and body acne. Topical spironolactone combats the effects of androgen hormones on the skin, without the same potential for encountering systemic side effects as oral spironolactone. Topical and oral spironolactone may also be used in conjunction for individuals that can only tolerate a low dose of oral spironolactone. While recent studies have demonstrated that topical spironolactone is an effective acne treatment, associated with no significant side effects, further trials are required to determine an efficacious standardized dosing. One of the greatest benefits of topical spironolactone is that male patients can take advantage of its benefits, too. Oral spironolactone is an acne treatment reserved for female patients, as males are susceptible to hormonal imbalances with the oral version. Topical spironolactone, however, is safe an effective for men and women alike to treat acne.

Consulting with internationally renowned board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michele Green in NYC is the best way to safely and effectively treat your chest acne breakouts. Dr. Green can help determine the causal factors contributing to the presence of your hormonal acne and recommend the right combination of treatments for you and your condition so that you can achieve and maintain clear skin.

Accutane for Treating Severe Chest Acne

Accutane is the brand name for a prescription oral medication for acne called isotretinoin. Accutane is a derivative of vitamin A that treats acne by decreasing oil production in cells of the sebaceous glands and reducing presence of acne-causing bacteria on the skin. It also reduces the size of the oil glands themselves and accelerates the rate of skin cell turnover. Accutane used to be reserved exclusively for persistent and severe acne breakouts but is now embraced by the American Academy of Dermatology as a safe and effective acne treatment for all severities and types of acne breakouts, including body acne and chest acne breakouts.

The main side effect associated with the medication is dry skin and increased photosensitivity. It is important that while taking Accutane patients do not become pregnant, as the medication may cause serious birth defects. Sun exposure should be limited, and patients on Accutane should use proper sun protection as well as refrain from consuming alcohol throughout the duration of their treatment. While on Accutane, monthly blood tests are required to monitor liver enzymes, white blood cell count (WBC), and red blood cell (RBC) counts. Women are required to have monthly negative pregnancy tests. Accutane is controlled through the government-run iPLEDGE program. All blood tests and birth control methods must be documented and updated monthly in the iPLEDGE® system in order to prescribe Accutane for each patient. When Accutane is prescribed by an experienced dermatologist like Dr. Michele Green, and it is taken as directed, it is an amazing medication to treat or completely get rid of acne breakouts, including body acne.

How to Prevent Chest Pimples and Acne Scars on your Chest

The best way to prevent chest pimples and acne scars on your chest may be to implement a few simple lifestyle changes in order to promote clean, clear, and hydrated skin. Dr. Green recommends a daily skincare regiment that cleans, exfoliates, and treats your active acne breakouts. Gentle cleansers, non-comedogenic moisturizers, and topical acne treatments can all effectively control and prevent further acne breakouts. Additionally, simple changes in daily routine and lifestyle, like wearing more breathable fabrics and showering immediately after exercise, can radically reduce the development of acne on the chest. The best way to prevent acne scars on the chest is to avoid popping your zits and to contain your active acne breakouts through doctor-recommended skincare products. If you’re struggling with acne and acne scars on the chest, we recommend contacting Dr. Green to develop a treatment plan that will prevent further breakouts and safely treat acne scars.

How to get rid of chest acne

When patients ask, what to do for chest acne, the answer is that there are many possible solutions. The first step is to consult with expert, board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Green. When you have your initial appointment with Dr. Green, she can examine the affected area and help to determine the treatment plan that will best meet your needs, which can include different skincare products, spot treatment, or lifestyle changes to improve skin look and texture.

What is the Best Acne Treatment for Chest Acne?

To effectively eliminate body acne and achieve clear, beautiful skin, Dr. Green recommends a unique combination of the best acne-fighting skincare products, in-office treatments, medications, and lifestyle modifications. During your consultation, you’ll discuss your medical history, be physically evaluated, and potentially have bloodwork done to understand the root cause of your acne. Oral antibiotics, topical medications, Accutane, or hormonal treatment such as spironolactone or birth control pills may be recommended in addition to procedures like laser treatment. If you suffer from persistent chest acne, Dr. Green can also order bloodwork to assess your hormone production and determine if levels are abnormal or contributing to your breakouts.

How to clear Back and Chest Acne through Skin Care

Having a skincare routine that caters to your specific skin concerns can help control chest acne breakouts. It’s important to think about the following products when it comes to controlling chest acne. Whether it be using the right cleansers, topical antibiotics, exfoliants, lotions, salicylic acid creams or retinoids, choosing the best prescription or over-the counter products is essential to treating your back acne.

Skin Care Products

When it comes to your skin care routine, it’s important not to pick at any of your zits! Squeezing and picking at acne can cause further irritation and damage to your skin, worsening the appearance of the acne and potentially leading to scarring. Remember that acne-fighting skincare products can take around 10 weeks to show results. Be patient and don’t pop those pimples! Additionally, there are many skincare treatments, both over-the-counter and prescription strength, that can be used to treat and prevent acne. Retinoids are a class of skincare product derived from vitamin A, which work by accelerating the rate of skin cell turnover to slough away dead skin cells, unclog pores, and reveal healthy new skin cells. Topical antibiotics are typically available in different formulations including creams, lotions, and gels, and can help reduce acne breakouts by eliminating acne-causing bacteria from the skin’s surface. Body washes and lotions that contain acne-fighting active ingredients can be powerful additions to one’s daily skincare routine. Patients with acne-prone skin and chest acne breakouts should look for skincare products containing active ingredients like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. Winlevi is a topical cream that contains the medication clascoterone. Winlevi is an androgen receptor inhibitor that prevents the oil glands from producing too much excess oil. With so many topical treatment options available, it may feel overwhelming to create your own acne treatment skincare protocol. Dr. Michele Green is an internationally renowned board-certified dermatologist with over two and a half decades of experience treating men and women from around the world for their acne breakouts and acne scars. The following sections contain additional details regarding skincare products and topical treatments for acne breakouts.

Acne Fighting Body Washes

If you’re considering an over-the-counter body wash or spot treatment, it’s best to find one that contains acne-fighting active ingredients like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Active ingredients like these help to unclog pores by targeting the bacteria and sebum that cause acne breakouts. Dr. Green, an internationally renowned board-certified dermatologist with over 25 years of experience, has developed a line of specially formulated skincare products that includes a cleanser designed to target acne breakouts. Dr. Green has a special interest in helping patients with acne-prone skin achieve healthy, clear skin that lasts, and her line MGSKINLABS, Inc. offers the pore minimizing cleanser which is an excellent wash for acne-prone skin. The Pore Minimizing Cleanser contains the active ingredients salicylic acid and glycolic acid, two gentle chemical exfoliating agents that break apart excess sebum, dead skin cells, and debris within the pores and soothe inflammation associated with acne lesions.

Non-Comedogenic Body Lotions for Back Acne

Using an oil-free, moisturizing body lotion is important skincare steps in acne treatment for the chest area. Non-comedogenic means that these moisturizers won’t clog your pores, which can be a great way to prevent the development of zits. Lotions that have restorative active ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid or lactic acid, can also be a great way to boost cell turnover and heal the skin. Over-the-counter brands like Cerave, Cetaphil, and Neutrogena are often recommended options. You can also check out MGSKINLABS Ultimately Sheer Hydrating Lotion, which is a lightweight moisturizer designed for acne-prone skin.

Topical Antibiotics to Treat Body Acne

Topical antibiotic treatments are usually available as creams, lotions, or gels and work to reduce breakouts by destroying acne-causing bacteria on the skin. Erythromycin and Clindamycin are among the most popular topical antibiotic treatments, both of which are excellent treatment options for inflammatory types of acne lesions. Topical antibiotic treatment may be sufficient for clearing mild inflammatory acne breakouts, however, non-inflammatory acne and moderate to severe acne breakouts that are inflammatory typically require additional acne treatments such as oral antibiotics, isotretinoin, or spironolactone. Consulting with Dr. Michele Green, board-certified dermatologist in New York City, is the best way to determine which unique combination of acne treatments is best suited to clearing your breakouts once and for all. Dr. Green has over two and a half decades of experience providing her patients from around the world with the best non-invasive treatment options available, including for acne, body acne, and acne scars.

Topical Retinoids for Chest Acne treatment

Topical retinoids are gentle chemical exfoliating treatments derived from vitamin A that accelerate the rate of skin cell turnover, encouraging dead skin cells to slough off more quickly than they would on their own. Retinoids help to prevent clogged pores as well as reveal healthy new skin cells, resulting in a clearer complexion that is also more radiant and youthful-looking. Not only do retinoid products help to clear acne, but also improve the overall texture and tone of skin. Topical retinoids can be safely used on essentially any area of the body that acne may develop including the face, chest, neck, back, shoulders, buttocks, and arms, keeping in mind that sensitive areas may be more prone to irritation. Patients with sensitive skin or skin condition such as rosacea or eczema should consult with a dermatologist like Dr. Michele Green in NYC before incorporating a retinoid skincare product into their usual routine, as these individuals are more likely to developing skin irritation. It can take several weeks of using retinoids before results become noticeable, and some patients may experience a ‘purge’ period where the acne looks worse before it looks better. This is due to the skin’s response to the increased rate of skin cell turnover, causing dead skin cells and debris to be expelled from the skin. It is always recommended to consult with a board-certified dermatologist such as Dr. Green in NYC for your skincare protocol as it relates to acne treatment. Dr. Green can monitor the progress of your treatment and make changes as necessary to ensure that your acne treatment is safe and effective for your skin.

Why is it important to Exfoliate your skin for chest acne?

Skin cell turnover is a natural process in which dead skin cells come to the surface of the skin to be shed and replaced by new skin cells. Frequently, however, dead skin cells get trapped on the surface of the skin by sebum and can clog the pores. That is where exfoliation is very important to remove the dead skin cells before they can clog the pores. As such, gently exfoliating the chest area can also help prevent acne flare-ups. But, be careful to avoid scrubbing the skin too vigorously, as this can worsen skin irritation. Dr. Green’s MGSKINLABS Retexturing pads are perfect for exfoliating acne-prone skin, and can help prevent breakouts by sloughing off dead skin cells, as well as controlling excess oil.

Which lotions are best for chest acne?

Lotion is very important to make sure that your skin stays hydrated but the wrong kind of lotion can increase the risk for acne outbreaks. Oily moisturizers can clog the pores and trap debris and bacteria inside. That is why Dr. Green recommends a non-comedogenic body lotion. This type of moisturizer works to hydrate the skin without clogging the pores. Some moisturizing lotions can even contain a small amount of salicylic acid, which can help to reduce already existing acne outbreaks. It is also best to avoid lotions that are scented because they can cause further irritation to your skin.

Sunscreen formulations and chest acne

A high amount of sun exposure can also be a risk factor in the development of chest acne. Sun exposure can dry out the skin, which causes the body to produce more oil to compensate. In order to avoid this, it is important to stay hydrated and apply sunscreen to protect and hydrate the skin. Sunscreen can also help protect us against premature aging of our skin and the development of skin cancers. Using sunscreen is an important skincare step for everyone to adhere to regardless of skin tone, the weather, and the time of year. If you’re prone to chest acne and plan on spending some time in the sun, using a non-comedogenic (non-pore-clogging) sunscreen can help prevent breakouts, such as MGSKINLABS Hydrating Sunscreen.

How to treat acne on the chest

There are several acne spot treatments that are designed to help get rid of pesky pimples. Common active ingredients for spot treatments include benzoyl peroxide and retinol-A, which are able to dry out the infected area and exfoliate the skin, respectively. Treatments like Differin and Epiduo forte rely on a retinoid-like formulation, known as adapalene, which helps with cell turnover without additional skin-drying effects. Dr. Green also often recommends topical antibiotic treatments in order to control acne-causing bacteria on the surface of the skin. Additionally, MGSKINLABS offers Acne Spot Treatment that uses a benzoyl peroxide treatment to quickly and effectively eliminate acne.

Change up your laundry detergent

The materials that come into contact with our skin can have a huge impact on skin health. Irritants like fragrances and dyes can cause inflammation and acne when they’re in products we use like moisturizers or laundry detergents. Some patients, even those suffering from severe cases of cystic acne, have found relief by switching their laundry detergent to one that’s gentle and fragrance-free.

How to cover chest acne

If you are suffering from chest acne, there are many treatment solutions to eliminate the outbreak. In the meantime, many patients want to cover up the outbreak. If you would like to cover the chest acne outbreak with clothing while it subsides, avoid tight-fitting clothing. Instead, it is best to opt for loose-fitting, cotton clothing that will not trap sweat and acne-causing bacteria. Tight fitting clothing can worsen chest acne breakouts and may contribute to breakouts on other areas of the body, too.

What helps with chest acne prevention?

There are many simple lifestyle changes that can help with chest acne prevention. Acne can be triggered by high-sugar and/or high-carbohydrate diets, and, as such, limiting your sugar and carb intake can help to reduce the likelihood of developing acne. Dry skin can also be a factor in causing acne outbreaks as flaky skin can clog the pores. For that reason, finding a non-comedogenic moisturizer that will keep your skin hydrated without further clogging the pores can greatly help in reducing the possibility of acne outbreaks. Making sure that your clothing is clean and breathable and that you shower directly after a workout can also keep chest acne at bay and avoiding laundry detergents that may irritate the skin.

How to get rid of chest acne overnight

Unfortunately, there are not any acne treatment options that will eliminate chest acne overnight. However, there are a wide variety of acne treatments that will help to eliminate acne breakouts fairly quickly, including topical acne spot treatments, specially formulated skincare products, oral medications, and lifestyle changes that can help to prevent future outbreaks of chest acne and body acne.

Why is my chest breaking out?

If you are wondering why you have a breakout of chest acne, it could be as simple as the exercise clothes you’ve been wearing (tight fitting clothing may trap sweat and acne-causing bacteria), or a recent increase of stress. For many patients, minor changes in daily routine or lifestyle habits can make a world of difference in terms of the appearance of chest acne. Genetics, hormone fluctuations, and environmental factors may also contribute to the presence of chest acne. An expert in the field of dermatology, such as board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michele Green in New York City, can help determine the underlying factors that are contributing to your chest acne breakouts and recommend the right combination of acne treatments for targeting the causal factors so that you can achieve and maintain a healthy, clear, smooth complexion.

Is chest acne hormonal?

There are many potential risk factors for developing chest acne, one of which being fluctuations in the androgen hormones. Hormonal changes can cause the body to produce more sebum, which can, in turn, lead to clogged pores and an increased risk in acne outbreaks. For this reason, individuals that are experiencing puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, as well as those who are taking certain medications, have an underlying medical condition, or are in various stages of the menstrual cycle may be more susceptible to developing hormonal breakouts of chest acne. A board-certified dermatologist, like Dr. Michele Green in NYC, can order certain blood tests be performed that can help determine if there are any systemic hormonal imbalances that may be contributing to the presence of your chest acne breakouts, and recommend the appropriate acne treatments as necessary.

Which hormones causes chest acne?

For some patients, factors like diet and stress can impact hormone levels and cause the onset of adult chest acne. Diets rich in sugary, greasy, and fatty foods raise blood sugar, which can trigger hormones that boost the body’s sebum production, ultimately causing pimples to form. Increased amounts of stress can also influence breakouts in the chest area. Stress causes the production of hormones called androgens. Androgens cause enlargement and hyperactivity of sebum glands in the skin, leading to increased sebum production that can clog pores and cause pimples, nodules, cysts, whiteheads and blackheads.

Thankfully, small lifestyle adjustments can often help improve the appearance of your chest acne. Reducing your intake of processed foods, drinking plenty of water throughout the day, and managing daily stress can all help to keep your chest acne under control.

Why do I have chest acne in my 30’s? Why won’t my chest acne go away?

Most people think that acne breakouts are a part of being an awkward teenager, and don’t realize that acne in fact is a skin condition that is a common part of adulthood for many–in fact, in a recent study, 85% of females and 15% of males struggled with adult acne.  Adult acne can be triggered by a combination of genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors. Though it’s frustrating, adult acne anywhere on the body can be successfully treated through topical treatments, a steady skincare routine, oral medications, in-office treatments, or a combination of any of the above. If you have suffered through trial and error with over the counter skincare products to no avail, schedule a consultation with board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michele Green in New York City. Dr. Green will recommend the right combination of treatment options for clearing your acne once and for all.

How to Get Rid of Chest Acne Scars Fast

Inflammation from moderate to severe acne can cause damage to the skin tissue, ultimately resulting in the formation of acne scars. In general, the acne that leads to scarring includes pustules, nodules, and cysts because they are more severely inflamed than whiteheads or blackheads. Your skin will try to repair itself after the breakout but, often, the wound is too large or your skin is too delicate to do so. In these severe cases, a treatment such as a laser procedure or chemical peel can be used to help heal the acne scars. When you work with Dr. Green, she can evaluate your chest acne scars and help you determine which combination of treatments would work best for your skin type and situation. Dr. Green is an international leader in dermatology and uses the most cutting-edge acne scar treatments in her private NYC practice, including Fraxel laser, eMatrix, and V-beam laser, among others.

VBeam Laser Treatment for acne and acne scars

The VBeam laser is used to treat redness and erythematous patches from acne breakouts and the resulting inflammation. V-beam laser treatment is able to treat acne scars that are often more noticeable because of the redness that accompanies them. This redness appears as a result of broken capillaries that are left behind after acne lesions have healed. The laser works by releasing a burst of light at a wavelength of 595 nanometers to target the red pigment in blood vessels. Once the laser treatment has begun, the light energy that is beamed out gets converted into heat in the skin. In the epidermis of the skin, the energy is captivated by chromophores, an atom or group of atoms responsible for color. As a result of the chromophores absorbing this energy, the VBeam laser does not interact with other parts of the skin and successfully treats redness associated with acne scars.

Fraxel Laser Treatment for acne scars

The Fraxel Dual laser skin resurfacing is a technique can also be used to correct uneven skin tone and texture. Dr. Green often refers to the Fraxel laser as the magic eraser for its unique ability to target a host of various skin concerns including fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, acne scars, sun damage, surgical scars, stretch marks, enlarged pores, and more. This innovative laser operates on two wavelengths and can be used to reduce the appearance of acne scars on the face, neck, chest, back (also known as Bacne), arms and legs. To treat acne scars, energy from the fractional laser technology is targeted in the dermis of the skin to create controlled, targeted micro-injuries, resulting in a boost of new collagen production. The skin is tightened as a result of collagen formation and the overall appearance of acne scars and hyperpigmentation is diminished with almost no downtime.

Chemical Peels to treat chest acne

An excellent treatment option for patients dealing with active acne breakouts or acne scars are glycolic acid or light Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) chemical peels. Superficial chemical peels are an exfoliating skin resurfacing treatment that accelerates the rate of skin cell turnover and can help to unclog pores and clear away dead skin cells, which in turn reduces active acne breakouts. Additionally, by peeling away the top layer of the epidermis, new healthy skin is exposed, which can lighten spots of hyperpigmentation and stimulate collagen production to improve the appearance of acne scarring. Most patients require a short series of chemical peel treatments to achieve their desired results. The chemical peel itself is extremely quick and can take as little as a few minutes by an experienced board-certified dermatologist. Peeling will generally start 48 to 72 hours after the treatment and can last up to five-plus days, depending on the concentration of the peel.

HydraFacials to exfoliate and treat chest acne

A HydraFacial is a medical-grade facial that uses an innovative three-step process to cleanse, exfoliate, and rejuvenate the skin. The HydraFacial uses HydraFacial MD Active-4 cleanser to both clean and hydrate the skin, a vortex suction device to clear out clogged pores and exfoliate the skin, and unique skin care serums that infuse antioxidants, peptides, and hyaluronic acid to restore a radiant complexion. A HydraFacial can also be combined with red or blue LED light therapy in order to better treat active acne lesions and acne scars.

One of the greatest benefits of the HydraFacial treatment is that anyone is a good candidate for the treatment. This soothing facial treatment is perfect for patients of all ages, skin tones, and skin types, and can be used to address a host of different skin conditions. The HydraFacial is the go-to skin care treatment for models, actresses, and men and women on-the-go that want to achieve a radiant, healthy glow but can’t afford any downtime. The HydraFacial is perfect for anyone who wants their skin refreshed and rejuvenated and who may be battling with acne, clogged pores, hyperpigmentation, redness, fine lines, sun damage, or dry, dull skin. HydraFacial will leave you with radiant, clean, and smooth skin in just a single thirty minute treatment.

The eMatrix Laser Treatment for Acne Scars

The eMatrix Laser is ideal for treatment of acne scars on the face, chest, and back, for patients of every skin tone and skin type. The eMatrix Sublative Rejuvenation uses fractionated bi-polar frequency to penetrate beneath the skin’s surface to maximize the amount of collagen and elastin produced. Stimulating the skin’s production of collagen and elastin improves textural irregularities and treats acne scars. The eMatrix laser can treat textural issues on skin of any tone and type, making it a powerful tool to combat against stubborn acne scars. Using this laser treatment helps patients with acne scars achieve smoother, brighter, tighter, more beautiful, younger-looking skin. Since sublative rejuvenation has only 48 hours of downtime, this laser treatment can be scheduled with ease.

The eMatrix Laser is also unique because it effectively treats patients with any skin type or skin tone, meaning that it’s an essentially “color-blind” laser treatment. As certain lasers can work less effectively with darker skin tones, leading to hyperpigmentation or other pigment issues, the eMatrix is a go-to option for Dr. Green when it comes to safely and effectively treating her patients.

Does chest acne go away? How long does it take for acne to go away?

Depending on the underlying factors that are contributing to the presence of chest acne breakouts, chest acne may resolve on its own. For instance, if certain lifestyle practices and hygiene habits are causing chest acne, such as wearing tight-fitting clothing and failing to shower after exercise, then changing these practices can lead to clearer skin. If the chest acne breakouts are related to genetics, hormone fluctuations, or other underlying cause, then the chest acne may not resolve on its own and instead require intervening treatments from a board-certified dermatologist. To prevent acne scarring, it is best to consult an experienced dermatologist. Dr. Michele Green in New York City is a board-certified dermatologist with over 25 years of experience providing her patients from around the world with the best treatment options available, and she takes a particular interest in helping patients with acne-prone skin achieve and maintain healthy, clear skin.

How to get rid of Chest Acne using Home Remedies

There are a few different natural oils and skincare products that can be useful in treating chest acne breakouts. For example, tea tree oil and other essential oils can be useful in combating acne breakouts in varying areas of the body due to their antibacterial properties. Additionally, apple cider vinegar, oral zinc supplements, green tea, and clay masks are commonly used as homeopathic remedies for chest acne, body acne, and acne scars. However, it’s best to test any of these products on a patch of skin first to make sure that your skin does not have an adverse reaction that could further irritate any active acne lesions.

The appearance of acne can be minimized by always remembering to wash your face and body after exercising or sweating. A daily skincare regimen combined with a strict hygiene routine can do wonders in reducing the appearance of acne. Also, it’s crucial not to squeeze or pick at any acne, as this can worsen inflammation and cause scars. Stress reduction, good nutrition, and adequate amounts of sleep can help your body best regulate hormones that can affect development of acne. While mild cases of acne may respond well to home remedies, moderate to severe acne breakouts typically require a customized acne treatment plan in order to effectively resolve. It is important to consult with a board-certified dermatologist, such as Dr. Michele Green in NYC, as soon as breakouts appear in order to best prevent the development of acne scars. Acne scars are, often, more challenging to treat than the acne breakouts themselves.

How to get chest acne to go away

Body acne, whether it be a single pimple or a persistent breakout of severe acne, can be a frustrating skin condition to try and treat with over-the-counter acne treatments and skincare products. Additionally, untreated or ineffectively treated inflammatory acne is closely related to the development of acne scars, which can often be even more challenging to resolve than the acne lesions themselves. One of the greatest benefits of consulting with board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michele Green in NYC early on about your chest acne is that she can customize your acne treatment by recommending the best acne medications, treatments, and skin care products for you depending on the type of acne that you’re experiencing.

Dr. Michele Green in New York City is a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist who is internationally renowned for her holistic approach to treating acne, body acne, and acne scars, with over two and a half decades of treating some of the most discerning men and women from around the globe. She has a particular interest in helping patients that struggle with acne breakouts achieve clear skin, and developed a line of specially formulated skincare products- MGSKINLABS, Inc., that includes topical acne treatments designed for individuals with acne-prone skin. Dr. Green takes the time to understand the underlying factors that are contributing to the presence of acne, designing acne treatment protocols that have been customized to address the specific needs of each individual patient. Her dedication to her patients and to her expertise is reflected by the fact that she is consistently voted as one of New York’s best dermatologists by Castle Connolly, Super Doctors, and New York Magazine. To get started with eliminating your chest acne and achieving a clear, healthy, radiant complexion that lasts, please call the NYC office of Dr. Michele Green at 212-535-3088 or contact us online today to schedule a consultation.