Every part of the human body benefits from a good, thorough scrubbing every now and again. Most places, like the legs, arms, chest and easy to reach areas are scrubbed every time you step into the shower.
Some places, such as your back, are often forgotten though. Here are a few of the best reasons that you should wash your back and how to do so effectively.
The Importance of Washing Your Back
Prevents Bacne
Bacne is the coined term for acne that appears on the back and buttocks. The back is one of the larger areas of skin on the human body. It’s also a body part that spends most of its time suffocating and sweating underneath your favorite t-shirt that doesn’t get washed as often as it should.
Due to the amount of sweat the back produces, its pores can easily end up clogged and full of bacteria. If you wear light clothing that allows your skin to breathe, you may think your back is safe from the dreaded bacne. But is it really?
Well, no. If you play sports and spend time wearing tight-fitting sports equipment, always carry a backpack, or spend a lot of time relaxing and rolling around in your bed, your chances of developing bacne may increase.
This is because, like sweat, friction can cause acne on your back.
Check here also the reason why do we sweat after showering and how to avoid it.
A Good Complexion
When it comes to good complexions, you probably think of your face. Your back has a complexion too. Just like the skin on your face, the skin on your back can become dull, dry, and painful.
Regularly washing and scrubbing your back removes dead skin cells, which aids in giving your back a clear, bright complexion that looks great in backless tops or shirtless on the beach.
During the day, your clothes rubbing on your skin works to remove dead skin cells. There are usually some leftover and if left to their own devices, the remaining cells will build up. This can cause your skin to seemingly “shed”.
Pain Relief
If you have a bad back or work in a labor intensive field that puts a strain on your back, you know how frustrating it is to go home with a sore back every day. Washing your back can aid in relieving back pain.
The warm water and gentle scrubbing/massaging that you’ll do while washing your back can help reduce muscle and joint inflammation, and, in turn, reduce the amount of after work pain you endure.
How to Wash Your Back
Method 1: Dry brushing
Dry brushing is a relatively unknown concept, but it’s easy enough that it can be done in under 5 minutes. The dry brushing method can be broken down into a few simple steps.
- Using a hand brush that’s long enough to reach your back (or by recruiting the help of a partner or parent), gently brush the skin of your back. You can go in any motion you want, but generally, downward strokes are the most effective and least irritating.
- Wash your back like normal.
- Moisturize after you’ve finished washing, as the act of dry brushing removes dead skin and can leave your skin irritated and red, which is something a good moisturizer can remedy.
Method 2: Sugar scrub and a loofah
The sugar scrub method is a common backwashing method. It’s easy to do, smells good, and does the job. Here’s how to do it.
- First, gather your supplies. You’ll need a loofah with a long handle, sugar, honey, and salt.
- Make a thick paste out of the sugar and salt, using the honey as your base.
- Apply the scrub to your back. This can be made easier by applying the scrub to the loofah and then scrubbing your back, but you can also apply it before you scrub as you would with body wash. If you apply it to the loofah, you may need to reapply once or twice.
- Scrub scrub scrub.
- Rinse away the scrub, being sure to remove all of it.
- Moisturize.
Method 3: Back scrub mat
If you’ve never heard of a back scrub mat, you’re missing out. This easy backwashing device allows you to scrub your back hands free and without struggling to get the hard-to-reach areas.
Back scrub mats can attach to the wall. All you have to do to use them is rub your back on the matt as if you were using the wall to scratch an itch.
These mats are mostly found online.
Method 4: Exfoliating band
The exfoliating band is much like the bath scrub mat. It has the same concept but isn’t hands-free.
It has an area covered with a mildly abrasive material that works to gently remove dead skin cells that have built up on your back.
Although washing your back may not be very high on your priority list, it should be. When done regularly, it can provide a plethora of benefits.
Thorough backwashing can mean the difference between confidently wearing a swimming suit or cowering with embarrassment when the swimsuit leaves your back exposed.
It also leaves your skin looking and feeling smooth and healthy, and can be used to temporarily treat back aches and pain.
So next time you hop into the shower, remember not to forget your back.
Do you know the effects on your body of a warm bath with epsom salt ?
You may also visit this article about How long should you wait to shower after tanning.