Your 4-Step Guide to Curing Butt Acne Once and for All

Let’s just get this out of the way right now: Butt acne is real, and it ain’t pretty. Besides how it looks though, breakouts that occur on unlikely parts of your body can be especially distressing because we have no idea how—or why—they got there.

Technically called “folliculitis,” acne on your ass isn’t quite the same as the flare-ups that happen on your face—it’s often due to clogged hair follicles rather than clogged pores—and can occur from a combination of occlusion (i.e., blockage), friction, sweat, and bacteria, according to Susan Bard, M.D., of New York’s Sadick Dermatology. Basically, if you leave your sweaty yoga pants on for hours after class or wear skintight jeans or leather pants when its balmy out, you could be upping your chances for a butt breakout. For me, it happens every time I “forget” to shower between a Spin class and brunch, or when I want to leave my cute workout outfit on all day instead of putting on real clothes. Needless to say, it makes all subsequent Spin classes seriously uncomfortable, both in front of other women in the locker room (even though I know I shouldn’t care) and on the bike. (Have you ever tried doing tap backs with zits on your butt? YEAH.)

Determined to put an end to this cycle, as well as help some fellow sisters out, I grilled Dr. Bard on what you can do if you wind up with whiteheads on your ��. Here, the four tips she swears by, because I know we’ve all been there.

1. Give the tight clothes a rest.
In case you needed another excuse to embrace the sweats-and-stilettos trend, loose pants are your best bet for avoiding breakouts. “To prevent folliculitis, I encourage patients not to wear tight, friction-inducing clothing such as tight jeans and to change out of your sweaty gym clothes as soon as possible,” says Dr. Bard. Opt for cotton underwear over nylon or Spandex to give the skin on your booty a chance to breathe. Comfort is confidence, after all.

2. Wash it right.
Not only should you always shower after a sweat session, but it’s important you actually pay attention to your skin back there while you do it and cleanse with an antibacterial soap or benzoyl peroxide wash like Neutrogena’s Clear Stubborn Acne Cleanser. Some other tips: Make sure you wash your hair first and body last so the dirty suds from your scalp won’t drip down and clog your follicles. When your skin is clear (so, before any zits arise), remember to exfoliate regularly to remove dirt and bacteria, the same way you would for your face. And after you shower, steer clear of thick, heavy body lotions that may do harm than good. Before any pimples arise, you can also take preventive measures by using a product with glycolic acid, like Glycolix 18% Extremity Cream

3. Don’t pop!
Not that you can reach them, anyway. But just in case you have bionically long arms, or somehow have managed to find a friend who’s willing to get up in there, it’s important you resist the temptation to squeeze or pick at butt acne, which—according to Dr. Bard—will only make it worse. It also might cause scarring, which, nope.

4. Don’t be embarrassed to see a dermatologist
We know. There’s nothing more cringeworthy than having to lie on your stomach while a doctor examines your bare ass, but here’s something to keep in mind: They’ve seen it all. If you feel your acne isn’t improving, is getting worse, or is painful, it’s time to visit a pro.

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-Yes, It’s Totally Normal to Get Vaginal Acne
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-The Totally and Completely Unfair Reason You’re Still Breaking Out in Your 20s and 30s