How To Get Rid Of Acne On Your Butt Fast

Everybody says not to google your skin problems and ailments. It’s always the worst case scenario and rarely true, but you know what I do every time I find something on my skin? It’s easy to do. I couldn’t resist. On one occasion, I searched the internet for information about my butt acne. I could feel it behind me, but I couldn’t see it. Naturally, I discovered that the bumps on my stomach might not be normal acne, but folliculitis.

The thing is that “butt acne”, or folliculitis, can be very common (we are all in this together), however it may not always look the same as your acne. It can be complicated, I know. So I sought out board-certified dermatologists for help in clearing up my pimples and breaking down the butt acne. If you are done with treating your acne, read on to learn how to eliminate your pimples and prevent future breakouts.
What causes acne on the butt and why?
What is the short version? Acne can be caused by an excess of oil. Here’s the long version: Neda Mehr MD, a board-certified dermatologist, breaks it down. Our oil glands are mainly triggered primarily by one of four factors: Hormones, stress genetics, genetics and diet. These four triggers signal the oil glands that they need to grow larger. The channel that delivers oil becomes bigger as well.

The bacteria can get in and clog pores once the pores are opened. It’s easy for your butt to become clogged when you’re sitting on the skin. The pore becomes clogged and it can’t exit so it implodes.

Is it normal for your bum to have acne?
Morgan Rabach MD, a board-certified dermatologist, said that “butt acne” was very common and, yes, even normal. However, it is very rare for traditional acne to be caused by butt acne. Folliculitis is an inflammation of hair follicles. Tiffany Libby MD, a board-certified dermatologist, explains that folliculitis is often called “butt acne” and can present in the same way as acne elsewhere. It results from blocked follicles or mild infection of hair follicles. This causes bumps like acne.

Folliculitis can sometimes look similar to acne (fungal acne anyone?). They are not the same skin condition. While there may be some overlap between how you treat and prevent body and folliculitis (or vice versa), it is important to recognize the differences and take an appropriate treatment or prevention approach.

How can you tell if you have folliculitis? We are glad you asked:

What is folliculitis?
Folliculitis can look very similar to acne, so they are easy for the untrained eye to miss. However, a dermatologist will be able to spot a few key differences. Let’s take a closer look at how they differ:

Folliculitis vs. acne
How acne looks like
Dr. Rabach says that acne is defined by the presence of comedones. These are blackheads or whiteheads. Acne is basically what it sounds like. There are little whiteheads and maybe some blackheads. Sometimes there is a cystic zit.
How folliculitis looks:
Dr. Rabach says that folliculitis is characterized by a hair growing in the middle of a red bump. The white material surrounding the bump is usually dead skin and white blood cell. Although it may look small, you will likely have several whitehead-looking bumps.
However, patients can get zits on the butts in rare cases. Dr. Mehr states that this happens to patients with a history of acne. This is why Dr. Rabach and Shereene, MD agree that it is important to see a dermatologist to determine exactly what is going on and how to treat it.

Do I need to pop folliculitis bumps
This is the obvious answer: No, it’s not true. Popping, picking, or prodding anything by yourself is a bad idea. It can make your acne worse and can lead to scarring and post-inflammatory pigmentation. Heavy oils are another thing to avoid. Dr. Libby advises against using thicker oils such as coconut oil to moisturize. These can clog pores and cause [the] formation a ‘butt pimple’.

Why are my cheeks pimpled?
These bumps can be caused by friction. Dr. Libby explains that the most common causes are irritation due to clothes rubbing against the buttocks. For example, tight gym clothes can trap sweat, oil and bacteria. Also friction from prolonged sitting can cause occlusion. Dr. Mehr explains that folliculitis can be caused by harsh skincare products, allergic reactions (e.g., a reaction to nickel in a razor) or bacterial overgrowth.

You might feel that your butt acne is more common in summer, which could be because you are choosing to display your butt. Folliculitis can be caused by wet clothing, such as a bathing suit and sweaty workout leggings. But don’t stress! But you don’t need to give up on yoga and swimming forever. It’s just important to know how to live your daily life.

How to quickly get rid of butt pimples
Clear skin is not something you can do overnight. A proper diagnosis from a dermatologist is the next step to clearing your butt acne permanently. Because you can only properly treat your butt if you understand what you are doing.

Small changes to your routine can make a big difference in improving your skin, diminishing the signs of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and keeping them from resurfacing, regardless if they are folliculitis or butt acne. Once you have made an appointment with your derm, start the following.

1. Use a body wash containing benzoyl peroxide
Dr. Libby, Dr. Idriss, and Dr. Idriss both recommend cleaning the area with an acne cleanser like PanOxyl. It contains 10% benzoylperoxide, which is a powerful ingredient in fighting acne-causing bacteria and unclogging pores. This also reduces inflammation. Dr. Libby recommends that active bumps be treated with the product once a day. She suggests waiting for two to three minutes before washing the product off (aka short contact therapy). This will allow the ingredient to penetrate the skin and not cause irritation. If you have these bumps often, Dr. Libby recommends that you include the benzoyl peroxide shampoo into your daily routine at least once a week to prevent them from getting worse.

Heads up, though: Benzoyl peroxide is equally as known for bleaching fabrics as it is for clearing your skin, so if you don’t want to risk ruining your favorite bath towels, make sure to rinse your skin really well after cleansing or designate a set of sheets, clothes, underwear–whatever–so you don’t have to pick your battles.

Four benzoyl peroxide products for acne treatment
PanOxyl Acne Foaming Shampoo

Differin Daily Deep Cleanser BPO 5

Humane Maximum-Strength Acne Wash

PCA Skin BPO 5 percent Cleanser

2. Exfoliate your skin–but don’t scrub it
You may feel tempted to scrub your bumpy skin with harsh physical scrubs, but it is best to leave the hard work for now. Dr. Mehr recommends using a gentle silicone scrubber (silicone repels bacterial) in the shower, and then a dry exfoliating wipe after you get out of the shower. Dr. Idriss recommends using a gentle chemical exfoliator that uses ingredients such as alpha-hydroxy acid (such lactic or glycolic acid) or beta-hydroxy acid (salicylic Acid) to prevent dead skin cells from building up in your pores. These are our favorites:

Four chemical exfoliators that will quickly clear your body of acne
SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser

Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Shampoo

Nolaskinsentials Glycolic night creme

AmLactin Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion

3. Use a tea tree bodywash to shower
Dr. Mehr also recommends using tea tree oil (Trader Joe’s Tea Tree body wash is a favorite), which has antibacterial as well as anti-inflammatory properties. To kill the bacteria, use your silicone shower brush and then wash off with the benzoyl-peroxide body wash.

4. A chemical peel is a good option
Dr. Rabach recommends Dr. Rabach’s best treatments to eliminate your acne fast. To encourage skin shedding, Dr. Rabach recommends that you have an in-office chemical treatment. For a more intense treatment, an at-home facial peel can be done. It uses the same chemical exfoliants as the in-office one.

5. Consult your dermatologist to get a topical anti-biotic.
Dr. Rabach recommends that you ask your doctor about clindamycin cream, which is a light topical medication that is non-greasy and won’t stain your clothes. This antibiotic can be used in order to reduce inflammation and kill bacteria that could lead to acne.

6. Choose breathable fabrics
Folliculitis flare-ups are less likely to occur if your clothing is lighter, more loose, and more breathable. Dr. Rabach recommends cotton over nylon underwear. Not only are friction and trapped sweat the main causes of chafed skin but they can also cause inflammation in the hair’s follicle.

Dr. Rabach noticed a lot more patients suffering from folliculitis recently, which may be due to all the work-from-home activities. You might be uncomfortable wearing tight pants if they rub you badly. To prevent sweat from getting trapped on your skin, cotton is a good choice if you have to wear tight gym clothes. Because sweat can cause a skin breakout, it creates the ideal environment for bacteria. Speaking of sweat…

7. Get rid of your sweaty clothes
Let’s be real: Activewear isn’t loungewear. Your sweaty workout clothes should be taken off as soon as possible. You can get acne by wearing tight leggings made of synthetic fabric and sweating in them. Dr. Mehr explained that non-breathable fabrics cause sweat and bacteria to gather on the skin, creating a barrier that can trap bacteria. If you have a tendency for acne, this bacteria will go into your oil glands, and you’ll get pimples all over your body. Dr. Rabach also says that the same applies to your wet swimsuits and any other damp clothing. Nobody likes to sit in a swampy swimsuit. ?

8. To prevent butt pimples, shower after you sweat.
You’re probably tired from working out. We’re asking you to take off your bike shorts while your arms still burn. But once you’ve done that, it’s time to get in the shower and wash all the oil, sweat, and dirt away with cool water. Dr. Libby, Dr. Rabach and Dr. Rabach say that a quick rinse with body wash is the best way to treat and prevent butt acne. It also works well for any other acne you may have, such as those on your back.

9. Salicylic acid can be used to remove acne scars from your butt.
Salicylic acid, an oil-soluble beta hydroxy acid, can be used as a spot treatment or face wash to smoothen out bumps from butt acne. It is able to remove excess oil and unclog pores. However, the ingredient exfoliates cells and improves cell turnover. Dr. Libby recommends salicylic acid products as daily leave on treatments to reduce hyperpigmentation and scarring from butt acne. This will help lighten the spots and encourage new skin cells. It also helps to prevent them from coming back. Idk).

You can trust these salicylic acid products to kick your acne.

Dermalogica Clearing Skin Wash

BLK/OPL Even True Blemish Control Bar Soap

Soft Services Clearing the Mist Medicated Breakout tonic

Cetaphil Gentle Clear Mattifying Acne Cream Moisturizer

10. Laser hair removal is possible
Dr. Mehr suggests that if you have never had acne before and suddenly you get bumps on your butt, it is more likely that you have folliculitis. Dr. Mehr says that instead of gaining entry to the inside world through a pore, the bacteria tracked down a hair-follicle and gained entry. Folliculitis can be treated by destroying the root of the hairfollicle. How? How laser hair removal. Dr. Mehr explained that sugaring or waxing allows bacteria from outside to enter and cause pimples. This can lead to scarring.

Here’s the takeaway:
Basically, go to the dermatologist. A dermatologist who is board certified can distinguish between folliculitis and acne is better than you. Dr. Rabach said dermatologists see it all the time so there’s no need to worry about acne. Stop wearing sweaty yoga pants, no matter what you do.