Having acne on the neck or any other part of your body can be frustrating especially if you are already an adult. While it may not be as visible as jawline acne, it can be just as annoying to deal with.
While the skin condition is relatively common since almost everyone experiences an outbreak during their teens, this isn’t entirely a teen problem. Acne affects 26 percent of women in their 30s based on research done by the Journal of Women’s Health.
Popular to popular belief, the exact causes of this condition are unknown according to the National Institute of Health. However, you probably already know some factors that affect your acne breakouts which are widely supported by doctors.
Cause: Heredity
Your genes play a big role on how sensitive your skin is. It determines whether you’d have oily skin or dry skin among other things which in turn plays into whether you’d have acne or not. If your parents had mild to severe acne, it is very likely that you will get it too or already have it. Other hereditary medical conditions such as diabetes may also lead to neck acne since both acne and diabetes are related to how your body reacts to insulin.
Cause: Medication
Medications can treat certain conditions but some of them have negative effects on the skin and can cause acne on the neck too, according to experts. Doctors advise that you take a look at the medication you are taking and determine, with the help of your doctor, whether one of its side effects is having acne on the neck or other parts of your body. Common medications that can cause neck acne include certain types of birth control pills and Spironolactone.
Common birth control medications that may worsen acne on your body include Nuvaring, Femodene, Depo-Provera, Enpresse, and Plan B. If you believe birth control may be the cause of your acne then we recommend you check out Yasmin which is birth control that reportedly helps decrease acne!
Cause: Makeup
For many women, applying makeup is a daily activity. If your makeup is a little greasy, it may be time to switch to a different brand to avoid acne on the neck. If you are getting acne on the neck, your powder might be the culprit.
Acne On Neck: Is it more than acne?
What is acne on neck and how is it different from the ones that grow on your face?
If you are suffering from acne on neck long after your teen years, it is a good idea to pay your doctor a visit. According to experts, acne on the neck or along the jawline can be a symptom of an underlying ailment.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is among these conditions that cause acne on neck and it is believed to be caused by insulin insensitivity. The condition lists acne as one of its symptoms.
Hormonal Acne Treatment
For many years now, doctors have prescribed birth control as a treatment for hormonal acne. Things have changed according to experts because there are no other treatments available.
Experts say that there is a need for you to use a gentle cleanser to get rid of dirt and oil. Cetaphil has been one of the major brands used for cleansing the skin and a good brand to alleviate acne on the neck.
Acne on Neck Moisturizer
If you are prone to getting acne on the neck and get dry skin, it is also a good idea to use a high-quality moisturizer. Using an oil-free moisturizer like La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat is highly recommended. While this effective moisturizer is only available in the U.S., it’s amazing ability to help reduce cystic acne and reduce the size of pores.
Acne on Neck and Diet
While cleansing and using the right products help in alleviating acne on the neck, it is also recommended for you to take care of your skin from the inside. Drink probiotics to help your body get rid of the skin condition. Probiotics can help your body ease inflammation and this includes easing inflammation on acne outbreaks.
Your diet is very important, according to doctors, but aside from probiotics, you can also eliminate dairy in your diet. Skimmed milk, for example, contains acne-producing hormones so there is a possibility that this is causing acne on neck.
If you can’t live without milk, try switching to almond milk instead. It is also suggested that you veer away from white rice, pasta, and bread to avoid acne on the neck.
It is also a good idea to ask your dermatologist what types of chemical peels are suitable for you. Typically, dermatologists suggest the use of alpha hydroxyl acid for those with acne.
Pregnancy and Acne
Aside from PCOS, pregnancy can also cause an acne outbreak. Hormonal changes occur during pregnancy. This can result in a number of things but can also affect the skin. Some pregnant women suffer from acne outbreaks while others don’t. If you belong to the former, go to a dermatologist immediately.
Acne And Stress
Sometimes, an acne breakout is caused by stress. While stress is good in terms of mankind’s survival, too much of it can be bad for your skin. To relieve stress, you would need to find an activity that will reduce this stress.
Getting a massage is a good example. You can also meditate and do yoga or just jog every morning or evening.
How Do You Treat Acne?
Acne treatment varies depending on what is causing it and there is no one-stop cure for everything. If you have extremely severe acne is advisable to go to a dermatologist immediately instead of treating it yourself.
Treatments stop more acne from occurring and will help treat existing acne which in turn can also prevent ugly scarring.
Generally, just be sure to consistently wash your face, avoid oily foods, and use several oil-free products like the ones we talked about. This is the most general, effective advice we can give, but again please keep in mind it doesn’t work in ALL cases.