Skin Guide
Acne mechanica treatment for helmet athletes
Acne mechanica is the breakout pattern that shows up exactly where gear touches skin — along the jawline under a chinstrap, on the forehead under a helmet pad, across the shoulders under pads. It's driven by heat, sweat and friction pressing against the follicle, which is why it keeps coming back in the same spots during a season even when the rest of your face is clear.
How to treat it
Cut the friction
Acne mechanica is caused by pressure, heat and rubbing — not dirt. Anything you can put between hard, sweaty gear and your skin lowers the mechanical load that clogs follicles.
Wash within 30 minutes
Rinse with lukewarm water and a gentle, non-comedogenic cleanser right after practice. Trapped sweat left on the skin keeps the follicles inflamed long after you're off the field.
Keep gear dry and clean
Wipe down your chinstrap, pads and helmet liner after every session, and let them fully air-dry. Damp foam holds bacteria against the same spots every practice.
Treat, don't scrub
Scrubbing makes mechanica worse. A benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid product once daily on affected areas is enough for most athletes; see a dermatologist if it isn't clearing.
How to prevent it in-season
Prevention beats treatment here, because the trigger is your equipment and your equipment isn't going anywhere. Shower after every session, never re-wear an unwashed undershirt, skip heavy sunscreens and hair products near the hairline on game day, and put a clean barrier between the chinstrap and your skin.
That barrier is what we make
PatchPro patches are copper-infused, peel-and-stick, and sized to fit football, hockey and lacrosse helmets. They sit between your chinstrap and your skin so sweat and friction hit the patch instead of your jawline.
See the patchesThis guide is general information, not medical advice. If breakouts are painful, cystic or not improving after several weeks, see a dermatologist.