Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Butt Acne And Prevention Tips

Butt acne is annoying and occurs as a result of bacterial infection. The thought of having itchy, painful, and angry spots on your butt in your favorite swimsuit can be distressing. But if you feel all those dreams of wearing a swimsuit are crushed, think again. There are simple and quick remedies you can try at home to get rid of these pimples on buttocks. In this article, we delve deeper into the several home remedies you can try to say goodbye to butt acne. Scroll down to read more!

What Is Butt Acne?

Simple – it’s acne vulgaris on your butt. Butt acne usually occurs as a result of clogged hair follicles on your butt.

What Causes Butt Acne?

Butt acne is caused when the hair follicles are infected by Staphylococcus aureus (or staph bacteria). This infection of the hair follicles is also referred to as folliculitis.

The staph bacteria are always present on the surface of your skin – and they cause no harm. But if there is a break in your skin, these bacteria can enter inside and cause skin inflammation.

According to a report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a staph infection can become deadly if the bacteria enters the blood. The report says more than 119,000 people suffered from bloodstream staphylococcus aureus (staph) infections in the United States in 2017 and nearly 20,000 died.

A boil or acne is almost always a result of such infections. Dr. Ramya Kollipara, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist, says, “It is caused by inflammation around the hair follicles. It tends to be more common in the summertime when people tend to sweat a lot. Wearing tight clothing can also trigger this condition.”

Did You Know?

Photodynamic therapy is a new treatment for severe forms of butt acne that cannot be effectively treated with regular acne medication such as topical retinoids and isotretinoin (14).

Folliculitis bumps or butt acne look similar to acne. That is, they are usually red with a white pus-filled bump in the center. That said, there can be a few different types of acne or pimples that can develop on the butt. Continue reading to know more.

Types Of Butt Acne

While butt acne typically occurs due to a bacterial infection, different types of folliculitis may also cause it. These include:

• Pseudomonas folliculitis, also called hot-tub rash, caused by prolonged contact with contaminated water
• Gram-negative folliculitis, a persistent type of infection, typically caused when bacteria are resistant to antibiotics (such as those prescribed for prolonged periods)
• Pityrosporum folliculitis, or fungal folliculitis, caused by yeast overgrowth
• Hookworm folliculitis, caused by the hookworm larvae
• Demodex folliculitis, caused by microscopic mites
• Viral folliculitis, caused by herpes simplex virus
• Immunosuppression-associated eosinophilic folliculitis, which commonly affects individuals with HIV

These bumps can become quite itchy and uncomfortable in the long run. In some cases, they may even leave scars behind. Don’t worry, they can be treated easily. We have listed various ways on how to remove acne scars from your buttocks naturally in the section below.

Home Remedies To Treat Butt Acne

1. Saltwater Solution
2. Tea tree oil
3. Hot Or Cold Compress
4. Lemon Juice
5. Toothpaste
6. Coconut Oil
7. Oatmeal
8. Turmeric And Sandalwood
9. Garlic
10. Aloe Vera
11. Apple Cider Vinegar
12. Baking Soda

1. Saltwater Solution

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 2 cups of warm water
• A clean washcloth

What You Have To Do

1. Add a teaspoon of salt to two cups of warm water and mix well.
2. Soak a washcloth in the saline solution and wring out the excess water.
3. Apply the washcloth to the affected area.

How Often You Should Do This

You can do this thrice daily.

Why This Works

Salt is composed of sodium chloride that is known for its antibacterial properties, which makes it an effective remedy for butt acne (1).

2. Tea Tree Oil

You Will Need

• 3-4 drops of tea tree oil
• 1 tablespoon of any carrier oil (olive or coconut oil)

What You Have To Do

1. Add a few drops of tea tree oil to a tablespoon of any carrier oil and mix well.
2. Apply this mixture directly to the acne on your buttock and allow it to be absorbed.

How Often You Should Do This

You must do this 2 to 3 times daily for best results.

Why This Works

Tea tree oil works great for acne because of its exceptional antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. In fact, research says that tea tree oil is almost as effective as benzoyl peroxide for treating acne (2),(3).

Remember to dilute tea tree oil with a carrier oil or another product before using it. James, a blogger, shared how he used tea tree oil to manage butt acne. He writes, “Tea Tree works wonders on all skin ailments, especially where bacteria is involved. But Tea Tree is strong stuff so you can develop sensitivity if you use it undiluted persistently. Try mixing some drops into your body wash like I do, or using a natural wash (i).”

3. Hot Or Cold Compress

You Will Need

A hot or cold compress

What You Have To Do

1. Take a hot water bottle or an ice pack and apply it to your buttocks.
2. Place it there for 10 to 15 minutes.
3. You can also follow a hot compress with an ice pack.

How Often You Should Do This

You must do this 2 to 3 times daily.

Why This Works

A hot compress can fight the bacteria responsible for butt acne. It can also reduce the inflammation and swelling and even extract the pus. An ice pack reduces inflammation and helps shrink the large pores, thereby preventing the formation of new acne (4).

4. Lemon Juice

You Will Need

• 1/2 lemon
• Cotton balls

What You Have To Do

1. Take half a lemon and squeeze out its juice.
2. Dip a cotton ball in the lemon juice and apply it directly to the affected areas.
3. Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes and wash it off with lukewarm water.

How Often You Should Do This

You can do this 2 to 3 times daily.

Why This Works

Lemon juice has anti-inflammatory properties that may reduce the swelling and inflammation associated with butt acne. And its astringent properties can shrink the large pores and prevent future breakouts. Additionally, lemon juice is also found to have bactericidal properties that may fight the acne-causing bacteria (5),(6).

5. Coconut Oil

You Will Need

Coconut oil (as required)

What You Have To Do

1. Take some coconut oil on your fingers and apply it directly to the butt acne.
2. Allow your skin to absorb the oil..
3. Repeat this 2 to 3 times every 3 hours.

How Often You Should Do This

You can do this 2 to 3 times in a week.

Why This Works

Coconut oil contains beneficial medium-chain fatty acids like lauric acid and capric acid and works like topical antibiotics against butt acne. These fatty acids possess excellent antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that can eliminate bacteria and reduce the appearance of existing acne (7),(8).

6. Oatmeal

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon of powdered oatmeal
• 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
• 1 tablespoon of yogurt

What You Have To Do

1. Take a tablespoon each of powdered oatmeal and yogurt in a bowl and add a teaspoon of turmeric to it.
2. Mix well until it forms a thick paste.
3. Apply the paste to the affected areas and allow it to dry for 15 to 20 minutes.
4. Wash the paste off with lukewarm water.

How Often You Should Do This

You must do this once a week.

Why This Works

Oatmeal helps with in exfoliating for butt acne treatment and eliminates the dead skin cells. It also cleanses the clogged pores and prevents future breakouts. The anti-inflammatory properties of oatmeal help reduce the inflammation, thus helping you get rid of butt acne (9).

Did You Know?

Butt acne appears most commonly during adolescence and shows up as comedones, papules, nodules, and cysts (15).

7. Turmeric And Sandalwood

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon of sandalwood powder
• Curd or water (as required)

What You Have To Do

1. Take a teaspoon each of turmeric powder and sandalwood powder in a bowl.
2. Add enough water or curd to it to make a thick paste.
3. Apply the paste directly to the acne-affected areas on your butt. Allow it to dry.
4. Wash it off with warm water.

How Often You Should Do This

You must do this every alternate day.

Why This Works

A mixture of turmeric and sandalwood exhibits natural antiseptic properties that can destroy the acne-causing bacteria (10). This combination also possesses anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce the swelling and redness accompanying acne breakouts.

8. Garlic

You Will Need

Peeled garlic cloves

What You Have To Do

1. Take a few cloves of peeled garlic and cut them into halves.
2. Gently rub a cut garlic clove on the affected area.
3. Leave it on for 30-50 minutes before washing it off with lukewarm water.

How Often You Should Do This

You must do this 4 to 5 times a week.

Why This Works

Garlic contains allicin that exhibits antimicrobial properties. It also has exceptional anti-inflammatory properties. All of these not only kill the acne-causing bacteria on your skin, but also reduce the inflammation (11).

9. Aloe Vera

You Will Need

Fresh aloe vera gel

What You Have To Do

1. Take some fresh aloe vera gel and apply it directly to the problem areas on your buttocks.
2. Let it dry for 15 to 20 minutes and then wash it off with water.

How Often You Should Do This

You must do this thrice daily for best results.

Why This Works

Given its excellent healing, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties, aloe vera gel can quickly dry up existing acne. Its astringent properties can help shrink large pores and prevent future breakouts (12).

10. Apple Cider Vinegar

You Will Need

• 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
• 1 glass of water
• Cotton pads

What You Have To Do

1. Add about two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to a glass of water and mix well.
2. Soak a cotton pad in this solution and apply it to the acne on your butt.
3. Leave it on for 20-30 minutes and wash it off with water.
4. Alternatively, you can also pour some apple cider vinegar to your bathwater and soak in it.

How Often You Should Do This

You can do this 3 to 4 times in a week for effective results.

Why This Works

The anti-inflammatory properties of apple cider vinegar can reduce the redness and itchiness associated with butt acne. And its antimicrobial properties can fight the acne-causing bacteria (13).

11. Baking Soda

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon of baking soda
• Water (as required)

What You Have To Do

1. Take a tablespoon of baking soda and add a little water to it to make a thick paste.
2. Apply this paste to the acne-prone areas on your butt and allow it to dry.
3. Wash it off with cold water.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this every alternate day.

Why This Works

Baking soda possesses antibacterial properties that help combat the acne-causing bacteria. It also balances the pH of your skin and fights pain and inflammation.

Now that we know how to get rid of butt acne fast, you can prevent this problem altogether by making some simple changes to your lifestyle. Listed below are a few tips that can help you steer clear of butt acne.

Prevention Tips

• Bathe regularly using a good antibacterial soap, as poor hygiene can be a cause of butt acne.
• Avoid tight clothing and wear loose-fitting dresses to reduce friction.
• Do not use fabric softeners as a few people are allergic to them.
• Take a shower post workout. Sweat glands which are present all over the body, cause excessive sweating during physical activity. It harbors bacteria that can cause butt acne.
• Practice regular gentle exfoliation methods to get rid of dead skin cells.
• Avoid using strongly scented soaps.
• Avoid using creams or lotions that may clog your sebaceous glands and pores.
• Follow a healthy diet that consists of fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Drink lots of water to eliminate toxins from your body, especially during hot and humid climate.

Infographic: Tips For Managing Butt Acne

Butt acne develops due to bacterial infection and can be quite painful. You can use the simple ingredients listed above to manage this pesky condition. But you must also take some precautionary measures to keep the area clean and treat it as quickly as possible. Check out the infographic below to know more!

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Which age group is most affected by butt acne?

Acne usually begins around puberty (when one is 11 years old). However, for some individuals, it can begin at any stage of life. The same goes for butt acne. Anyone can develop this at any point in their lives. Although those who sweat more or are more involved in physical activity might be more prone to developing it.

Does baking soda help with butt acne?

Anecdotal evidence suggests that baking soda contains antibacterial properties that may help manage butt acne. Exercise caution while using this remedy.

How can diet and lifestyle changes help with getting rid of butt acne?

Studies have found that foods that have a high glycemic index cause your body to release more insulin to regulate blood glucose levels (16). Excess insulin can trigger the release of androgen hormones that increase sebum secretion which may play a role in the pathogenesis of acne (17). Thus, consuming a low-glycemic diet and also avoiding smoking may help reduce butt acne (18).

Can using topical antibiotics help get rid of butt acne?

Topical antibiotics can help prevent further progress of bacterial infection in your skin pores and help treat butt acne.

What are the best skincare products for treating butt acne?

Non-comedogenic skin care products can prevent pore clogging and minimize the chances of acne. Further, products with glycolic or salicylic acids may help clear butt acne.

Can butt acne be treated with laser or light therapy?

Laser or light treatments have shown promising results in clearing acne in some cases however more research is warranted in the field (19).

How can stress and anxiety impact the development of butt acne, and what can be done to manage these factors?

While stress cannot directly cause acne but it is known to aggravate an existing condition of acne. It may also delay healing and reduce the efficacy of ongoing treatments.

What are the best topical treatments for butt acne, and are they safe for long-term use?

Natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory ingredients suggested in the article can help treat acne without any risk of side effects.

What foods should I avoid to reduce the risk of developing butt acne?

Anecdotal evidence suggests that lowering your consumption of dairy products, unhealthy fats, and excess carbs can help prevent inflammation in the body. This may help reduce the chances of developing butt acne.

How to get rid of spots on the bum overnight?

It is crucial to understand that getting rid of spots on the bum overnight is not possible because blemishes take time to heal. However, wearing loose-fitting clothes and applying warm compress may improve the appearance of spots on the bum over time.

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Say goodbye to booty breakouts! Click on this video to learn about some effective home remedies to get clear skin on your bum in no time!

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Dr. CP ThajudheenMD

   

Dr. CP Thajudheen has over 20 years of experience in various lasers, light-based devices, and other advanced equipment. He was one of the beginners who introduced cutaneous lasers in India. He carries out dermato surgeries regularly, including hair grafting and vitiligo surgeries. He runs multiple laser centers in Kerala and Tamil Nadu and has trained many doctors in lasers and...more

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  Dr. Ramya KolliparaMD

  Dr. Ramya Kollipara, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and a cosmetic dermatologic surgeon. She graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine and specializes in cosmetic and medical dermatology.
  
  Dr. Ramya Kollipara, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and a cosmetic dermatologic surgeon. She graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine and specializes in cosmetic and medical dermatology.

Shaheen NaserHealth & Wellness Writer

 

Shaheen holds a postgraduate degree in Human Genetics and Molecular Biology from Bharathiar University. She is a Geneticist with proficiency in Biotechnology, Immunology, Medical Genetics, Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Genetic Counseling. Her passion for writing and her educational background have assisted her substantially in writing quality content on topics related to health and wellness for over three years. In her free...more

Anjali SayeeAssociate Editor

Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy. She has taken it upon herself to show...more

Monomita ChakrabortyBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Monomita has a graduate degree in mass communication and video production from St. Anthony's College, Shillong, and a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the Royal Global University, Guwahati. She is also a certified skincare coach with a keen interest in skin, hair, tattoos, nail art, and lifestyle trends. Her passion for and understanding of all things related...more