It’s bad enough to have an acne outbreak on your face, but imagine having it on your bottom? Not only can it be extremely humiliating, but it can also be downright painful.

For most people, butt acne is often an overlooked problem and, unlike other beauty concerns, it’s not typically discussed out in the open.

Obviously, because it’s a very uncomfortable topic, many of you probably wouldn’t know how to deal with butt acne.

Some of you might even find it surprising that butt acne even exists. But it’s a very common problem for many adults.

In most cases, it usually goes away on its own with just some proper skin hygiene.

However, for more severe cases, you’ll need to take extra measures in order to get rid of it. The severity of it differs from person to person.

What Exactly is Butt Acne or “Buttne”?

Before diving into what needs to be done to eradicate that unsightly butt acne, let’s first try and understand what it is. Think of it as analyzing the situation before taking on the problem.

Butt acne has a similar appearance to facial acne, which is why it is often mistaken as acne too. Not to burst your bubble, but it actually isn’t.

Since acne, in general, is defined as clogged pores that occur on the face, neck, shoulders, upper arms, upper back, and chest; “butt acne” would not fall in the same category.

Even though technically it isn’t really acne, it is equally embarrassing and irritating.

You may be experiencing another skin related condition known as folliculitis. It is an inflammation of the hair follicles (tiny pockets from which hair grows) and is usually caused by bacteria.

Oil and sweat can also play a huge role in developing folliculitis because it can block and irritate hair follicles. When the follicles are injured, they are more likely to become infected.

This is often seen as small, red, tender bumps on the buttocks that can be itchy and even painful at times.

Imagine having to sit on that. Ouch, right?

That’s not even the worst part. In severe cases, it can be filled with pus and be grouped into clusters.

Why Do I Get Acne On My Butt?

Before jumping into tips on how to treat butt acne, I just want to make sure you understand where it comes from and how it can impact your health.

As I mentioned earlier, butt acne is not technically acne, though you do get it the same way as regular acne. The only difference is that butt acne is due to clogged hair follicles rather than pores.

Trapped bacteria can then multiply easily and infect hair follicles. It can occur from a combination of friction, sweat, and bacteria.

This is why butt acne is most common with people who work out a lot. When you work out, you build up sweat on your backside, your follicles then start getting blocked and irritated, which traps bacteria that can potentially turn into butt acne.

That is why it is advisable to shower right after a workout so you don't sit around in clothing you've been sweating in that's filled with bacteria.

Speaking of gym clothes, wearing tight clothes is also one of the causes of butt acne. Tight clothing that isn’t breathable can trap sweat and bacteria against the skin and cause irritation that eventually results in a butt outbreak.

How to Get Rid of Butt Acne Fast

Don’t worry, guys.

In most cases, butt acne is easily curable and often clears up by itself. The key here is to have proper skin hygiene.

Follow these tips, and that ugly buttne will be gone before you know it.

1. Wash correctly

Cleanse your backside with an antibacterial wash like benzoyl peroxide (Proactiv, Neutrogena, and Clearasil) twice a day.

Benzoyl peroxide is typically used as a spot treatment for zits, but it's a must for getting rid of folliculitis since it dries up and sloughs off the dead skin clogging the follicle.

For best results, take a hot shower to open up those pores and leave the antibacterial wash on for 5 minutes before rinsing it.

Also, make sure to wash your hair first, and your body last so that the dirty suds from your scalp won’t drip down and clog your follicles.

2. Exfoliate regularly

Not only is exfoliation needed for your face, but your backside needs it as well.

Exfoliation can help in removing oil and dead skin cells from your butt that can potentially clog up those follicles.

So, remember to exfoliate at least two or three times a week, the same way you would with your face. But be careful not to overdo it as it can actually make your butt acne worse!

3. Moisturize

Contrary to popular belief that slathering on body lotions could be the source of your butt acne in general, dry skin can clog up pores and promote breakouts too.

Therefore, it’s very important to moisturize. However, remember to ONLY use lotions with lactic acid.

The lactic acid in certain lotions gently exfoliates dead skin cells and will help you get rid of those pesky bumps.

4. Wear breathable underwear

Your underwear can make a huge difference with your butt acne outbreaks.

Materials that do not trap sweat or  don't cause too much friction can help in avoiding such outbreaks because it won’t irritate your follicles.

Switch to underwear made of cotton to give the skin on your bum a chance to breathe. Not only is it good for your skin but it’s also very comfortable.

5. Avoid sitting for too long

When you sit for long periods of time, your follicles and pores get stressed, causing them to clog up easily. This is especially true if you're sitting in a hot environment.

You’re more prone to butt breakouts if you're sweating and trapping that sweat by sitting down.

So, if you sit a lot, try to get up and walk around every now and then to give your bum a breather!

6. Don’t pop!

Don’t even think of popping that buttne! Well, that’s if you can even reach it, of course. If you do somehow manage to get your hands on it, you will regret it.

Not only will this make the infection worse but it can also leave scars and dark spots. And believe me, you do not want to add that to the stress of having a butt outbreak.

7. See a dermatologist

If all else fails, you’re probably better off seeing a professional.

I know it can probably be embarrassing having someone—even a doctor—take a look at your naked backside but desperate times call for desperate measures.

So if you feel that your butt acne may be getting worse, see a dermatologist right away. You might have something worse than a typical case of folliculitis.

Butt Acne Treatment - How to Prevent Future Outbreaks

Like I always say, “prevention is better than the cure.”

So instead of worrying about how to get rid of that pesky butt acne, why don’t you take the first step in preventing it from ever coming back?

Here are some tips to help you do so:

1. Shower straight after a workout

Hanging around in your sweaty gym clothes that are riddled with bacteria can potentially start a butt outbreak.

The buildup of sweat, bacteria, and dead skin cells combined with the friction of damp, tight-fitting clothes against your skin will cause irritation and with it, comes butt acne.

Shower right after a workout and don’t waste another minute in those dirty gym clothes.

2. Remember to exfoliate

Prevent future outbreaks by unclogging hair follicles of dirt and dead skin cells a few times a week with a pad spiked with salicylic acid.

What works on facial acne will also work on these infected follicles. And although they may not be as painful as facial acne, they still require similar cleansing regimens.

Don't overdo it, though; irritation can make the bumps worse.

3. Use baby powder

If you have oily skin, then the excess sebum (an oily secretion of the glands) production can clog up hair follicles and contribute to a butt acne outbreak.

Keep the area clean and dry by dusting some baby powder after bathing. The baby powder will help soak up the excess oils and avoid outbreaks.

4. Wear loose clothing

Tight clothes trap perspiration and bacteria, which makes getting rid of those outbreaks particularly difficult.

In addition to switching to cotton underwear, try wearing loose-fitting clothes that also have natural fibers, such as linen and cotton instead of synthetic ones.

Since synthetic fabric causes friction to the skin, it not only damages the skin, it increases sebum production.

5. Avoid fabric softeners

Some people’s skin can be sensitive to different fabrics or laundry products. That’s why most brands of laundry detergent have a hypoallergenic version.

6. Drink more water

Drinking at least 8 glasses a day is good for you and your butt.

Why?

It will help the body and skin get rid of toxins. By increasing water intake, your skin will have a more radiant glow.

And for those who suffer from acne (along with butt acne), it will also help clear your skin.

7. Avoid overexposure to the sun

As much as possible, avoid sun exposure between 10 AM and 2 PM because this is when the sun’s burning rays are at their strongest.

Before going outside, protect your skin with clothing, a hat, and sunscreen.

Remember to purchase a non-comedogenic (a skin-care product that is specially formulated so as not to cause blocked pores and blackheads) sunscreen to avoid irritating the hair follicles.

8. Eat healthily

Your diet can affect what your skin will look like. As the old saying goes, “you are what you eat.”

So try to include lots of fruits and vegetables in your diet, especially ones rich in zinc and vitamins A, C, and D, as these play significant roles in the health of your skin.

The Bottom Line

So now you know exactly how to cope with your butt acne and prevent it from breaking out.

Just like with any other skin condition, getting rid of butt acne requires immense time and effort.

For that reason, don’t expect instant results, as it all depends on how committed you are to getting that spot-free bum.

So try to stay positive, despite the situation. Almost everyone has been through what you’re going through right now.

And remember that everyone's skin is different, so don't lose hope if none of these tips work out for you.

As mentioned above, see a dermatologist if you feel like the outbreak is getting worse because you might have a more serious condition.