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Whether it affects your chest, back, buttocks or thighs, body acne is an unwelcome guest. Those who suffer from facial acne are very likely to develop body acne at some point in their life, and chances of development are increased by both genetics and lifestyle. Acne breakouts on the body are very similar to those found on the face; however, because the skin of the body often has a thicker density and larger pores, blemishes can become larger and more painful than facial lesions.

Acne may be developed anywhere on the body, other than the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. Body acne can get out of control easily due to its likelihood of becoming irritated by clothing, sweat, and jewelry. In addition, acne-prone skin is also more prone to ingrown hairs, which causes acne skin to look even unhealthier.

The first step in preventing body acne and ingrown hairs alike is wearing comfortably loose, breathable fabrics, such as cotton. It is also important to shower as soon as possible after sweating, making sure to re-dress in clean, dry clothing. If you notice particularly problematic areas, make yourself aware of clothing habits that may be leading to extra breakouts. As an example, wearing tight jeans everyday may be causing leg acne, or a loose bra strap could be rubbing against the skin, leading to irritated and increased back acne.

Many skin care companies offer body skin care products specially formulated to treat acne on the body. These acne treatment products generally contain higher concentrations of the acne-fighting ingredients you already know and love, such as salicylic or glycolic acids. Using these products every morning, after exercise, or even before you go to bed at night will almost certainly reduce body breakouts. To build a regimen, begin with a body acne wash, a light moisturizer, and a spot treatment if necessary.

If you’re wearing proper clothing and using adult acne treatments, and your body acne still isn’t clearing up, your breakouts may be caused by an allergic reaction to your laundry detergent of fabric softener, or even your favorite beauty perfume. Removing common irritants, such as synthetic fragrances and harsh soaps, from your lifestyle may be a necessary step for healing and preventing your acne.

As always, it is recommended that you see your dermatologist for a professional diagnosis before beginning an acne treatment regimen. Although it is likely that blemishes found on the face and body are a form of acne or ingrown hair, it is always wise to seek the counsel of a medial professional.

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It almost seems inevitable. You awake the morning of your “big day” — whether it’s your wedding, prom, or a simple date night — to a red, swollen pimple. These breakouts are usually caused by stress, but they can also be a plain old coincidence. Luckily, there are a few acne tips and tricks for reducing the appearance of surprise pimples, leaving your complexion looking clearer and healthier.

The first step is always prevention. If you have a special event coming up, steer clear of new acne treatments, skin care products, makeup, and hair products for at least a month prior to the date in question. Even if your best friend is urging you to try the skin care product she swears by for clear skin, it’s wise to stick to the products you know and love. In addition, if you regularly suffer from acne, be sure to keep up with your regimen.

If a blemish appears the day before your event, beware of overly-drying zit-zappers such as benzoyl peroxide, as these can cause the pimple to become flaky and difficult to conceal. Instead, try the DIY toothpaste treatment. Take your toothpaste (NOT a gel), and dab a little onto the blemish before bedtime. The paste will help shrink and dry the pimple without causing the skin to become flaky or rough.

To reduce inflammation, apply a hot compress followed by a cold compress. You can enhance the anti-inflammatory effects by medicating the hot compress with chamomile tea, and using sterile pads soaked in cold milk as your cool compress. Be sure to rinse away any residue before applying your makeup, and only use essential oils if you’re sure of how your skin will react to them.

To tackle redness, your best friend is Visine, or any other redness-reducing eye drops. One simple drop applied to the blemish will take away the angry red color, thereby reducing its appearance. Apply the Visine after the compresses, but before any other skin care or acne treatment product.

Finally, if the pimple is still an angry red hill, try applying a hemorrhoid cream to it. This may sound a bit strange, but the cream is designed to reduce extreme, uncomfortable inflammation, so it’s not a shock to realize that it works well on zits! If a traditional hemorrhoid cream makes you feel uncomfortable, natural treatments, such as Tucks pads with witch hazel, will also provide great results. Again, be sure to use any of these treatments before all your other skin care or beauty makeup products!

After you’ve exhausted your acne treatment options, remember to leave your pimples alone. Obsessing won’t help anything, and picking at your breakout will only cause more redness and inflammation. After all is said and done, your special day will be remembered not for your pimples, but instead for the wonderful event itself. So take a breath, focus on the positive, and bring your concealer with you!