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All of us have tried to find a pattern in our breakouts at one point or another. Anyone who has ever suffered from acne can tell you that it’s not predictable at all. Acne seems to strike when we least want it to – during our period, before an important event, while we’re on vacation. But is there an actual correlation between all of its symptoms? Now let’s explore all the underlying causes of different types of breakouts. In addition, we will look at what the location of a pimple can tell us, as well as the time of day during which it appears.
The practice of thoroughly examining the location of acne on our bodies is often referred to as face mapping. There are many different versions of face maps, and some tell you completely different things than the rest.
So, where does the idea of face mapping come from? It actually dates back thousands of years and is an integral part of ancient Chinese medicine. The Chinese invented the initial patterns which remain the same since then, and other people have tried adding or omitting a couple of things, which is why nowadays there are quite a few different versions of the initial face map.
The main idea behind face mapping remains untouched and it states that by examining the location of your breakouts you can discover underlying health problems in your body. Basically, they believed that the outward appearance and location of acne can tell a lot about the person who’s suffering from acne and the main reason behind their appearance.
Of course, this is not to say that acne can’t appear randomly. If you’re suffering from severe acne that’s located all over your face and body, chances are face mapping might not be of any help to you. If that’s the case then your best bet is to see a dermatologist who will put you on serious oral acne medication and a carefully designed topical treatment plan. They might also include treatments such as chemical peels or lasers in it.
Now that we’ve established the main idea behind face mapping, let’s explore what each location on our face and body says about the underlying cause.
Let’s start from the top – acne that’s located around your hairline. This kind of acne isn’t on your typical face maps, but the reasoning behind it is backed up by science, so it’s very important to mention it.
Since this is quite a peculiar place, not many people will experience this type of acne. The most common reason as to why this kind of acne appears is due to the hair products we use on a regular basis. There are many ingredients included in hair care, such as pomades, which don’t agree with our skin very well.
If you start to notice that you’re getting some acne around your hairline, then examine the hair products you use by carefully reading the ingredient list. You could try switching to a more natural hair care brand that uses simpler ingredients and is declared as non-comedogenic. Or you could also try washing your face thoroughly after you finish washing your hair.
Similarly to acne around the hairline, forehead acne could also be caused by your hair care regimen. According to traditional face mapping, another common reason as to why forehead acne appears is due to stress and digestive issues.
The best course of action if you’re breaking out on your forehead is to make slight changes into your diet, incorporate more whole foods, drink more water and get at least seven hours of sleep each night. That way, you can help your body detox itself naturally. Make sure to keep your hair off your face, and if you have fringe wash your hair regularly with natural hair care products so they won’t clog your pores.
When it comes to cheek acne, if the acne is located on the highest point of the cheeks (that is the top of the cheeks) then it’s due to some problems with your respiratory system. This includes all kinds of issues: living in a polluted city, having physical breathing problems or not getting enough fresh oxygen. The dust around your house can also cause respiratory issues. To help with this, you can purchase an air purifier and place it in the rooms in which you’re most often.
For any makeup lovers out there, this is the prime spot for applying highlighter. Unfortunately, it’s also possible that your highlighter product is breaking you out, so if you notice a pattern then it might be a good idea to switch to a different brand. To add to that, keeping your makeup brushes clean is also crucial. Bacteria, dust, and dirt can get on your brushes, and later on clog your pores. Wash them at least once a week using lukewarm water and baby shampoo.
Make sure to clean the items that get in contact with your face often, such as pillowcases and your cell phone.
If your acne is located on the lower cheeks, then it might indicate that you’re experiencing some issues with dental health or lack of dental hygiene. If you suspect that this might be the case, it’s best to pay a visit to your dentist. But cheek acne could also mean that the breakouts are not related to anything specific, but it’s occurring due to excess bacteria, sebum, and clogged pores.
The area between your eyebrows, down your nose and all the way to the chin is commonly referred to as the T-zone. If you’re noticing acne around this area it means that either your digestion is out of balance or you’re consuming something that your stomach doesn’t agree with or you have a food allergy. Reducing the amount of processed food and dairy should help if this is the case. Also, acne on the nose has been linked to liver issues, so if you’re experiencing acne on that particular area you might want to avoid drinking excessive amounts of alcohol or consuming very spicy food.
Acne on the T-zone could also indicate excess sebum production, in which case you might want to try topical Retin A products, or if your acne is severe, Accutane.
Make sure that you have a proper skincare routine which will keep those nasty breakouts to a minimum.
There’s actually enough scientific evidence to conclude that mind mapping is correct with this prediction – jawline and chin acne is linked to hormonal issues, or rather, a problem with the endocrine system. High amounts of androgen hormones can actually result in an overproduction of sebum, which is definitely a major concern when it comes to acne.
Women have probably noticed a pattern between chin breakouts and their menstrual cycle. As you might have guessed by now, chin and jawline acne are linked to a hormonal imbalance. It’s normal for women to have a few breakouts during that time of the month, but if it’s ongoing even on the other weeks of the month, or if the amount of acne you’re experiencing is excessive, then you might be suffering from a hormonal imbalance or an underlying medical issue that needs immediate attention.
Another thing that can also cause hormonal disruptions is birth control pills. Some people claim that taking birth control pills has made their periods more regular and has balanced their hormones. However, once you go off birth control pills and the artificial hormones are gone, you will probably continue to break out. This is because birth control pills function merely as a mask for the symptoms of an underlying disease or medical problem, which should be the focus of your treatment. This is not to say that birth control pills can’t be useful, but you should always do your research and consult with a dermatologist prior to getting on any kind of medication.
For hormonal problems, doctors recommend a shift onto a healthier diet which keeps processed food to a minimum and regulates your sleep schedule. Controlling your stress levels is also crucial since high amounts of cortisol – the stress hormone can cause havoc on your skin.
If you’re experiencing chin and jawline acne for a longer period of time, then it would be wise to visit both a dermatologist and a gynecologist. They will likely prescribe oral medication like spironolactone, which, in conjunction with topical treatments, will work wonders on your skin.
What could also work is eliminating or decreasing the amount of dairy products you consume. Dairy is notorious for containing a lot of hormones which disrupt the hormones which are already in our bodies. Many people claim that switching to plant-based milks such as almond milk has eliminated their hormonal acne to a great extent.
The causes of body acne aren’t that different from the causes of facial acne. Unregulated hormones, excessive oil production, genetics and contact with bacteria are the most common causes of body acne. Sweat, as well as dodgy fabrics that don’t agree well with the skin, could also cause acne to appear.
There are some things that might help with body acne which you can do on your own such as wearing loosely fitted clothes, choosing cotton over other fabrics, avoiding shower gels and body lotions which have too many chemicals or comedogenic ingredients inside, using natural laundry detergents, and showering right after you sweat.
It’s important to note that serious skin conditions such as rosacea or allergic reactions are sometimes mistaken for body acne. If you’re suspicious about the appearance of acne, then it’s best to visit a dermatologist.
Now that we’ve covered what the location of your breakouts can tell you about your overall health and the causes of acne, let’s see what practical information we can decipher from the particular types of pimples that appear.
These types of pimples are rather painful and large. They could be either a sign of a particular hormonal issue or a sign that your liver or lymphatic system is having some problems. Spot treatments can work on some cysts, but it’s best to consult with a dermatologist.
These can appear anywhere on the face and they usually indicate either excessive oil production, an excess of dead skin cells and acne-causing bacteria that’s mixed up with them. Since papules are slightly less severe than cystic acne, if they’re not in large amounts, they will usually go away on their own. You could try using topical creams, DIY at-home spot treatments, Retin A products or face washes which contain benzoyl peroxide. If you’re an avid makeup user, try switching to natural makeup brands or non-comedogenic ones which won’t cause acne.
Combined with a change in skin tone, these small, rash-like pimples could be a symptom of Candida. It could also be an indicator of another rash or a digestive problem, so it’s best to visit a doctor.
Although these are quite self-explanatory, pimples during puberty are common and normal. We’ve all been there, and while it’s certainly not the most exciting period of our lives, the good news is that these usually go away on their own.
However, if you want to, you could speed up the healing process by investing in good quality skincare products such as this Complete Clear 3-Step System and making a few lifestyle changes like incorporating more exercise in your daily routine and eating more fruits and vegetables.
If acne comes along with inflammation and redness around it, it could mean that you’re experiencing an overall body inflammation or hormonal issues. This can be solved by including more antioxidant-rich food in your diet, exercising and avoiding toxins.
These are usually a sign of a problem with the lymphatic system or excessive free radicals in your body.
If you notice pimples on your skin as soon as you wake up, it could mean that you have eaten something the previous night that has caused you to break out. It could also be a result of forgetting to wash your face the night before, or, worse, sleeping with your makeup on. Some people claim that eating right before you fall asleep could lead to breakouts, but there isn’t enough scientific data to support this claim.
Breakouts that occur all of a sudden during the afternoon are usually a result of hormonal fluctuations or a sign that the makeup you’re using (if any) is causing you to break out due to some ingredient that’s inside the product. In addition, it’s important to remember that not all skincare products are created equal, so some of them might break you out. Moisturizers are sometimes to blame for afternoon pimples, so try experimenting with a different one if you’re suffering from these. Certain ingredients such as mica, mineral oil, alcohols, dimethicone, beeswax and lauric acid should be avoided.
If you’re breaking out in the evening it might be because of the makeup that you were wearing all day long. It could also mean that some environmental factors such as pollution have clogged your pores. Whatever the case might be, make sure you follow up with a good nighttime routine in order to keep those pesky pimples at bay.
Remember to take this information with a grain of salt. Mind mapping is a fun way to try to identify the root cause of your acne, but it’s certainly not always accurate. Therefore, it’s going to be helpful for some people, while for others it could be a complete waste of time. It’s up to you to decide whether you want to try it out for yourself and play a detective with your own body.
The modern version of this ancient practice relies heavily on scientific facts, so we should be able to see more accurate versions of face mapping as time goes by and as more research is done on the subject.
If consulting with a face map doesn’t work, and if you suffer from severe acne that doesn’t seem to be going away, the best course of action you could take is to visit a dermatologist. They would suggest quicker treatment options that provide long-lasting results.
Have you ever tried face mapping? If so, has it produced any results?
This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances, and its goal is to offer a general view of the subject. In case you are suffering from a severe case of acne, you should consult with a dermatologist or a certified medical professional.
