- Dr Charles Puza offered tips to his 1.7 million followers on TikTok
- He recommended cleaning surprising parts of the body, as well as 2 products
- READ MORE: Little-known $10 ingredient that could cure adult ACNE
A dermatologist has revealed three surprising hacks to help get rid of bacne – pimples on your back.
Dr Charles Puza, a board certified dermatologist, offered tips to his 1.7 million followers on TikTok, which included using two little-known products – and, oddly, attempting to rid the body of a bacteria that causes the zits.
‘Step one is to kick out the bacteria that have colonized your nose, behind your ears and your belly button,’ he said.
The bug in question is Staph bacteria – known to cause large, painful bumps, particularly on the back and chest.
This bacteria, full name Staphylococcus aureus, is on us all the time – on our skin, in our noses, on surfaces.
‘Mupirocin ointment can get rid of those,’ Dr Puza said.
This cream is used to treat bacterial skin infections, by preventing bacteria growth and killing existing bacteria on the skin.
Common brands include Centany and Bactroban Nasal.
Dr Puza said: ‘Monday, Wednesday, Friday, use either a benzoyl peroxide wash like this one from CeraVe or Hibiclens on the body to decolonize that staph bacteria.’
Benzoyl peroxide is a topical medication which treats mild to moderate acne.
It is an antiseptic which reduces germs on the surface of the skin. Brands include PanOxyl, PanOxyl-4 and Persa-Gel.
‘If you’re a sweaty person or you workout regularly, make sure you get out of those sweaty clothes as soon as possible and use a hypochlorous acid spray like these options from Amazon or Tower28,’ said Dr Puza.
They will prevent bacterial accumulation, he added.
Hypochlorous acid is an acid that forms when chlorine dissolves in water, but it is gentle enough to be used on the face.
You spray it on your skin after washing it, in place of a toner, but before any serum or moisturizer.
It has anti-inflammatory properties which make it good for dealing with acne. It also reduced the bacterial load on the surface of the skin.
Bacne happens when sweat, oil, dead skin cells and bacteria get stuck in the skin’s tiny pores.
Backpacks and sweaty clothing can cause friction on your back and make back acne worse.
Anyone of any age can get bacne but it is most common in teenage boys, studies show.
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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk