Summerize Your Body

Backs of Arms and Upper Back

Summerize it! We wish this weren't true, but unsightly bumps and breakouts aren't limited to the skin on your face. Let's start with those little hard bumps on the backs of your arms. This common condition, called keratosis pilarsis, is caused by hair follicles that haven't exfoliated normally; the skin cells then pile up and form little bumps. According to David E. Bank, MD, dermatologist and founder and director of the Center for Dermatology, Cosmetic & Laser Surgery, in Mount Kisco, New York, those with keratosis pilarsis tend to have sensitive or eczema-prone skin, so harsh acne treatments only exacerbate the problem. The key, Dr. Bank says, is finding the right balance between gentle and aggressive exfoliation. If your skin is too sensitive to tolerate a chemical exfoliator, such as a body wash with salicylic acid, then mechanical exfoliation, such as a loofah or grainy scrub, applied with a moderate amount of pressure is a better option.

Similarly, if you're experiencing mild "backne," or breakouts on the back, "consider looking 6 inches higher for the source of the problem," advises Dr. Bank. Often particles from hairstyling products migrate to the back and neck, joining forces with extra sweat and leading to clogged pores. Body washes with salicylic acid do wonders at decongesting these pores, as does cutting back on the number of styling products you use.