Acne Mapping Guide: An Insight to Your Health

Understanding Acne Mapping for Underlying Causes

Are you in adulthood and wondering why you still have acne? You thought you had bid farewell to acne problems when you crossed teenage. But alas! You still find acne on different zones of your face. Well, you're not alone. This is a bitter reality that we always hear from our patients. 

It's a common misconception that acne only affects adolescents, but in reality, it can happen to anyone at any age.

Adult acne is similar to adolescent acne in terms of causes and treatments. However, it also has some unique qualities.

What Causes Adult Acne?

Adult acne, or post-adolescent acne, occurs after age 25. Mostly, the same factors that cause acne in adolescents are at play in adult acne. The four factors that directly contribute to acne are: 

• Excess oil production from which pores become clogged by "sticky" skin cells, bacteria, and inflammation.
• Hair products, skin care products, and makeup, which can clog pores.
• Some medications, including corticosteroids, anabolic steroids, and lithium, can also cause acne.
• Hormones, stress, and the menstrual cycle in women all of which can influence oil production
• Diet can influence inflammation throughout the body.

The latter two factors are the natural causes of your unending fight with acne.

However, causes and severity of acne can vary from person to person but are often related to a combination of biological (e.g., hormone levels, genetics, sebum production, medications, and environmental (e.g., sweat, cosmetics, irritation of clothing/gear, stress) factors.

Let's understand how you can map your acne to different internal causes.

FOREHEAD ACNE

Forehead acne can be peculiar to factors such as;

• Excessive oil production, clogged pores, and bacterial overgrowth.
• Some contributing factors to forehead acne include wearing hats, using certain hair products, or friction from forehead wear. 
• Lifestyle factors such as poor skincare habits, lack of hygiene, and exposure to environmental pollutants can also contribute to forehead acne. 

CHIN ACNE

Chin acne and hormonal imbalance have an unending relationship, especially in women. It's true! 

• An increase in the hormone androgen, which is often seen in PCOS, menstruation, and some stages of pregnancy, can result in pesky chin acne. 

These changes happen due to the influence of hormones on your skin's sebum production and cell regeneration. It's fascinating how our bodies work, isn't it?

CHEEK ACNE

Cheek acne is the most troublesome one. They don't give the blush you want but just the inflammation you did not ask for!

If your cheek acne is a never-ending story, it's time to consider a new chapter: could it be linked to your kidney health? Yes, you heard it right! 

• Cheek acne and kidneys are allied. Poor kidney function can lead to toxins in your bloodstream, damaging skin health and causing unwanted acne breakouts. 

But here's the good news—hydration is the key! Staying hydrated supports kidney function and aids in flushing out toxins from the body, leading to healthier skin and fewer acne breakouts. 

So, the next time you wonder why those pesky pimples keep popping up on your cheeks, remember that you hold the power.

NOSE ACNE

Did you know that the nose is one of the most acne-prone areas of the face? The pores on our noses are more significant than those on other areas, making them more prone to blockage and pimples. 

But wait, there's more! Before treating it, you need to determine whether it's common acne or rosacea (a common skin condition that causes flushing or long-term redness on your face).

So, what does common nose acne mean? Interestingly, it may also indicate some underlying health issues. 

• For instance, acne on the tip of the nose may indicate digestive problems, such as a poor diet or food allergies. 
• Acne on both sides of the nose is related to hormone fluctuations, which could result from stress or hormonal imbalance. 
• If you experience acne inside your nose, it could be due to waxing or blowing your nose too often, which can irritate the skin and lead to breakouts.  

So, to keep your nose free from acne, you must take care of your respiratory health and watch out for environmental factors and irritants that may contribute to inflammation. Remember, prevention is always better than cure!

NECK ACNE

Thyroid disorders like hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism can impact your skin's health and lead to acne development on the neck.

• The thyroid gland, which is an essential part of hormone regulation, can be disturbed by several factors, such as eating the wrong foods, being under artificial lights, and being disconnected from nature. All these factors can affect sebum production and skin cells, justifying the connection between neck acne and thyroid function.

So, it's crucial to pay attention to your thyroid health and ensure you're consuming foods that promote good cholesterol production from saturated fats. 

Taking care of your thyroid health will help manage neck acne and promote overall well-being.

JAWLINE ACNE

Those itching tiny pimples under your jaws can prove your digestive health is not in good shape. Yup, that's right! 

• Jawline acne and digestive health are connected.  It could signify digestive problems, poor diet, gut health issues, or digestive disorders. 
• Overeating fatty and sugary food, as well as indulging in too much caffeine and alcohol, can all cause issues in that area if you're dealing with acne along your jawline.

So, eat a healthy diet, avoid processed foods, and consider taking probiotics to keep your gut happy and your skin glowing!

ACNE ON EARS AND TEMPLES

If you're experiencing acne on your ears and temples, it could be due to various reasons.

• Dehydration, stress, excess oil production, or poor lymphatic circulation are the primary causes of acne in the ears and temples.
• Moreover, acne on the temples may also be linked to liver health, as the liver plays a crucial role in detoxification.

A healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, adequate hydration, and proper sleep, can help support liver function and prevent temple acne. So, it's crucial to avoid excessive alcohol consumption and prioritize healthy habits to maintain overall skin health.

ACNE AROUND THE MOUTH

Acne around the mouth can be an excruciating condition.

• Hormonal imbalances and irregular bowel movements can cause it. 

Eating hormone-balancing foods like coconut oil and avocado, taking adaptogens, and consuming fiber-rich fruits and vegetables can help manage it. Avoiding spicy or hot foods and incorporating cooling foods like cucumber, broccoli, or zucchini into your diet can also help reduce acne around the mouth.

The Final Look!

Acne can be a frustrating and stubborn issue to deal with. However, by paying attention to the signals your body sends you, you get clues to what is happening inside your body. So whenever one pops up, try to map it back to what changed - your food habits? Stress level? Hydration? - start to identify patterns and potential triggers for your acne. This acne mapping guide will help take care of your body from the inside out, which is critical to achieving healthy, glowing skin.