Nobody really talks about bum spots. It's the sort of thing you keep firmly in your pants. But remember, spots aren't just reserved for our faces. On the contrary, you can develop them wherever you have pores and follicles.
Factor in friction, a lack of ventilation and a humid, warm environment and you can expect the chances of breakouts to increase on the body.
This is why pimples can bloom across your shoulders, your chest and your back (also known as bacne).
It's also why ‘buttne’ – which, for the uninitiated, is butt acne – is an unsurprisingly regular occurrence, especially for people whose jobs require them to sit at their desks for long periods of time.
Are bottom spots the same as other spots?
Bum spots, like regular acne, can be caused by hormones and genetics. It’s possible for them to look similar in terms of whiteheads, pus-filled spots and cysts.
But, depending on the cause, bottom spots can also be a little different, as Dr Serrano explains; "Spots on your bottom are likely to be caused by folliculitis, a condition that occurs when bacteria and dead skin cells get into your hair follicles, causing inflammation. This usually looks like small red bumps clustered around the follicle."
They are also commonly caused by external factors, which acne on your face is not. "If you’re sat down all day, it is very likely that this will be a supplementary risk factor for buttne," admits Dr Tiina Meder, dermatologist and founder of Meder Beauty Science.
But don't be embarrassed – there's actually a pretty easy way to treat bum spots, even those larger, more painful ones.
Why is my bottom spotty?
Spots on your buttocks are quite common, and usually caused by a skin condition known as folliculitis which occurs due to irritation, infection or blockage of the hair follicles. It can look like a bumpy rash and occur equally in men and women. The rash or bumps can actually happen anywhere where there are lots of hair follicles - not just your bum.
"The warmth from sitting and the inevitable trouble of blood and lymphatic circulation are aggravating factors for existing buttne and present a risk factor for new breakouts."
The constant contact with surfaces through clothes is also a factor. As is tight loungewear, leggings and gym gear, combined with not always showering straight after workouts. "Synthetic fabrics should be avoided when battling a buttne outbreak. I would also recommend avoiding jeans with a high stretch content – like jeggings," says Dr Meder.
Also, switch nylon and synthetic for cotton underwear.
"Sweating and remaining in your clothes means bacteria and sweat are in close connection with your skin, allowing it to penetrate your pores leading to irritation and ultimately spots," dermatologist Dr Gabriel Serrano, founder of Sesderma, explains. "Tight clothing, such as non-breathable lycra or polyester can also contribute to trapping sweat and bacteria against the skin, which can lead to spots."
"If you are prone to body hair, or have thicker, more coarse hair then you may also find that you are more susceptible to pimples. The use of heavy lotions and creams can also contribute to blocked pores and inflammation resulting in spots on the bottom." Noted.
What do I do about it?
1. Don't squeeze
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First things first - don't squeeze. "Squeezing the spots is not advisable as it can increase inflammation and make the condition much worse," says Dr Serrano.
2. Use a body wash with acne-fighting ingredients
"Stop using harsh loofas, body brushes, body scrubs and exfoliators. These can make your breakouts worse, causing microtrauma to the skin which can lead to a secondary skin infection," says Dr Meder.
"Scrubs can be too abrasive, especially if these contain particles with rough edges, as these can scratch and damage your skin, causing more inflammation and irritation," agrees Dr Serrano.
"Exfoliating too harshly can demolish the protective barrier, leading to reddened and irritated skin, and once removed, the skin is exposed to environmental toxins that can cause spots."
Instead, chemical exfoliators, like salicylic acid are a good idea. This acid is renowned for dissolving excess oil and other impurities in pores as well as improving overall skin texture.
Q+A Salicylic Acid Body Wash is a purse-friendly option that helps to treat and prevent spots while the addition of aloe vera calms the skin.
Likewise, Naturium The Perfector Salicylic Acid Body Wash is Space NK's bestselling body wash - and with good reason. This liquid exfoliator does a brilliant job of gently buffing skin and unclogging pores without ever stripping away moisture.
3. Use a retinol body lotion
Retinoid creams are one of the most effective approaches to treating any sort of body acne by exfoliating the skin, dialling down inflammation and helping to improve the look of acne scars.
The same rules apply as for the face: start slowly to build up tolerance and alternate with a high percentage exfoliating acid, rather than applying them one after the other on the same day.
Don't underestimate Necessaire's The Body Retinol. It may have a fast-absorbing, serum-like texture but it is also laced with powerhouse ingredients such as 0.1% Pure Retinol, AHAs and skin-firming peptides.
Paula's Choice Skin Smoothing Retinol Body Treatment is another hero. It balances retinol with evening primrose oil for a lightweight veil of hydration so you can strike off peeling, red skin as added bum acne woes.
4. Try the towel trick
"Before showering try sitting on a damp, hot towel as this will help to open up the pores, allowing more depth of cleansing," says Dr Serrano. “Washing the body last will help rid any excess shampoo and conditioner, which can cause irritation of the skin thus exacerbating the problem.”
And how do I stop them coming back?
1. Let your bottom breathe
The best thing you can do to avoid future spots, is to let your bottom breathe. As weird as it sounds, our sedentary lifestyles means that our bottoms are squished onto a seat for the majority of the day and they're basically suffocating.
“Sitting down for long periods of time means that your bottom doesn’t have a chance to breathe,” says Dr Serrano.
“Try setting an alarm to remind you to move around during work, or perhaps take a few tea breaks or a walk around the block at lunch, to up your daily step count. I’d also suggest that you try to wear more breathable clothing, whenever possible, such as cotton underwear to help prevent your pores clogging up.”
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Follow this logic through with your workout gear. "Opt for loose clothing when exercising," advises Dr Meder.
2. Rinse yourself and your clothes straight after exercise
If you're a gym person, get out of gym clothes immediately after exercising. Have a shower to clean the skin and wash your gym gear after every use.
3. Opt for lightweight ingredients in your skincare
Overly rich products can plug pores, so steer clear of anything too thick. "Step away from mineral oils, lanolin, coconut butter, coconut oil and cocoa butter," says Dr Meder.
In fact, “be careful about all butter-based or butter-looking body creams. Occlusive products like this can significantly worsen buttock folliculitis.”
4. Consider hair removal
Given butt acne is largely caused by congestion in our hair follicles. The hairier you are, the more likely you are to be affected, so it's worth taking a look at hair removal.
That said, some hair removal methods, like shaving, can exacerbate the problem and allow bacteria to enter. "If the affected area is hairy, hair removal might be worth trying," says Dr Meder, but if it's a real, longterm problem, "choose a permanent treatment such as laser hair removal," she says.
