Last updated on August 24, 2024
Question:
Hi,
On your site, you state that acne worsens at stage 4. Why is that? Is it normal to have acne in my upper back?
Answer:
By the time you reach stage 4, your skin has fully developed your sweat and oil glands. The oil glands keep your skin flexible, and your sweat glands cool your body.
The problem is that growth produces a lot of heat, which leads you to sweat a lot. It does have some benefits. I’m sure you’ve noticed that you can go out without a jacket when older people are all bundled up. However, when the air is warm, you produce a lot of sweat.
The rise in hormones that stimulate your growth also causes your oil glands to produce abundant oil for your skin. Perhaps you’ve noticed that young people’s skin looks smooth and soft. Older people’s skin is less flexible and drier. But you produce an overabundance of oil from late stage 3 to early stage 5. Your skin is also still growing, so dead skin cells are flaking off and clogging oil glands. If bacteria is also trapped under the clog, an infection will set in, which is what acne is.
You can get acne anywhere you have skin. Because the soles of your hands and feet are thicker-skinned, they are less likely to have acne. Your back can easily get acne, and it is harder to wash the skin on your back to keep the oils down. Standing in a shower with hot water hitting your back does help a bit.