Sometimes you can develop pimples on the neck that may even spread to nearby areas like the scalp, jawline, back, chin and chest. Read on to learn about the causes of neck acne and how to get rid of neck pimples.
What is Neck Acne?
Although most people get acne on their face, it’s also common for adolescents and adults to have pimples on their neck and jawline as well as under the chin. These are all grouped together as neck acne, but they are in no way similar to each other.
Neck acne can almost always be recognized by pimples on neck, chin, and jaw areas of both males and females. Men are usually more susceptible to pimples under the chin and neck, but this doesn’t mean that women cannot experience the same symptoms. There are a lot of potential causes for pimples on the neck, and many separate treatments.
Causes and Treatments of Pimples on the Neck
Depending on the location of the pimples as well as the type of pimples on neck, chin, or jaw areas, treatments can vary significantly. There is no one size fits all treatment for neck acne, but there are effective ways to combat each type of neck pimple.
This list mostly excludes the normal causes of general acne such as hormones or clogged pores, focusing more on the unique causes of neck acne.
Pimples on Neck and Back
Skin on the back of the neck is more similar to skin on the back and all over the body rather than facial skin, therefore the causes and treatments are different than those of traditional facial acne. If your question is “how do I treat the pimples on the back of my neck?” this section should give you some good insights.
Causes:
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Hair oil and dandruff
Excessive hair oil transfer from the scalp or dandruff flakes may cause neck acne.
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Skin irritation
Rubbing your neck with your hands, straps for bags, or clothing that rubs the neck can irritate the skin and cause a breakout.
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Hair care products
Hair care products such as shampoos, conditioners, or hair styling products can cause pimples to appear on the neck.
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Oil build-up on surfaces of frequent contact
If surfaces such as pillow cases, couch pillows, or anything else that contacts the back of the neck frequently are dirty, they can transfer dirt to the neck and cause acne.
Treatments:
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Change your hair washing/care routine
If oily hair or dandruff is the cause of your acne, a new hair washing routine can solve the problem. If it is your hair care products, you can try new brands and new styling products to see if that will help.
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Avoid rubbing on the neck
Loosen bag straps, don’t wear clothing that rubs the neck, and stop using your hands to rub your neck. These 3 tips can do wonders for treating neck acne
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Frequent washing of certain items or surfaces
Pillow cases should be washed once per week and other surfaces should be regularly cleaned to avoid the spread of excess oil and dirt.
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Benzoyl peroxide or tretinoin topical
Your neck is made of sturdier skin than your face. Because of this, it may respond well to products like these that can help cleanse the skin and open up pores.
Pimples Under Chin and Neck
More often than not, these types of pimples have more to do with irritated skin than anything else, although that is not the only cause. If you have pimples on the front of your neck or under your chin, this information can help you cure them.
Causes:
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Skin irritation
Irritations like jewelry, scratchy clothes, or some perfumes can cause breakouts under the chin and on the neck.
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Shaving razor or products
Men who shave their face and neck area can cause pimples if their razors or aftershave products are irritating the skin.
Treatments:
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Change shaving products or routine
If your razor or aftershave is causing your pimples, try a different type of razor and a new aftershave.
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Avoid rubbing on the neck
Do not wear jewelry that is tight around the neck or rubs awkwardly at the neckline, try to avoid rubbing your neck with your hands, and do not wear clothing which is causes itchiness on your neck.
Pimples on Neck and Jawline
These pimples are most common for men, as most men shave their chins and jaw lines frequently. There are some reasons that women might get these pimples as well.
Causes:
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Shaving products or routine
Poor quality razors or some aftershave products can cause acne on the neck and jaw line.
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Scarves or turtleneck-type clothing
Tall clothing that wraps around the neck or reaches the chin area can cause skin irritation.
Treatments:
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Change shaving products or methods
A simple change of razor or aftershave might get rid of your acne and prevent further cases.
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Avoid clothing that causes irritation
Clothes that cover the neck are not recommended for anyone who suffers from neck acne and should be avoided whenever possible. If necessary to wear these types of clothes, look for very soft, cotton clothes that will not irritate the skin.
Pimples from In-Grown Hairs
Pimples from hairs being in-grown might appear on the jaw line, the back of the neck hairline, or under the chin. They are not like normal pimples and should be treated differently. Do NOT attempt to pop, lance, or otherwise break these pimples as you might with normal white or blackheads. They can become infected more easily and will not respond well to this sort of treatment.
In-grown hairs can sometimes be the cause of cystic pimples. For more information on how to treat cystic pimples, check out WebMD’s page here.
Causes:
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Improper shaving methods
Shaving against the hair growth can create in-grown hairs.
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Poor quality razors
Razors that are too dull might cause in-grown hairs.
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Curly hair
Those with curly hair experience more in-grown hairs than those with straight hairs.
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Excessive hair growth
If you grow more hair than other people, because of more hormones or any other reason, you could experience in-grown hairs.
Treatments:
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Tretinoin topical
This treatment can help to uncover the hairs from your skin by removing the top layer of skin that the hair is trapped underneath. In-grown hairs will be freed and the pimples caused by them will go away.
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Take a break from shaving
If possible, relax from shaving your face and neck for some time to allow the skin to heal fully. This can get rid of the pimples on your neck.
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Change shaving method and routine
Always follow the natural growth of the hair when shaving; never shave against the natural direction of growth. Changing your razor type or blade as well as the aftershave you use can help. Also, you can try using warm water when you shave.
Products to Get Rid of Pimples on the Neck
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Retin-A
A popular brand of tretinoin topical treatment available on prescription.
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Oxy-10
This is a benzoyl peroxide formula used mainly in the treatment of acne.
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Inova 4/1
Inova 4/1 contains benzoyl peroxide as a main ingredient, but it also has salicylic acid that has a similar effect on acne.
Neck acne generally shows up in the form of pimples on neck areas. Each area has different causes, so make sure to pay attention to where your acne is and treat it accordingly. Remember that the back of the neck has thicker skin than the front of the neck or the skin under the chin, with treatments varying to account for this difference.
