MAP OF ACNE ON THE FACE. WHAT ARE THEY TRYING TO TELL US?

What do acne on the face say? Acne zones on the face, what do they mean

INNA CODRU , JANUARY 18, 2019

What do pimples on the face mean? Can they talk about any specific problems with our body?

I must say right away that acne on the face is often more than just clogged pores, hormones and bacteria. Where they appear says a lot about your overall health and how certain lifestyle factors affect you.

And we used to wonder how doctors can tell almost everything about our health just by looking at our face! Dermatologists often refer to the acne map on the face to identify what is causing acne. So, what is this "acne map" on the face? Read on for full details on this.

SCHEME (or MAP) OF ACNE ON THE FACE. Big Picture

It is an ancient technology widely used in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. In those days, scientists used a face map like this to diagnose various internal problems by looking at specific features in different areas of your face. However, at that time this was possible only through practical observations, or, scientifically speaking, through clinical experience. Scientists and physicians in ancient times had no other way of diagnosing such facial eruptions other than by noticing the onset of symptoms and by observing the patient and asking him questions.

But now, with the development of modern medicine, doctors follow the face map based on scientific evidence and scientific research to correctly and thoroughly diagnose diseases.

If you have recurring pimples on certain parts of your face, here's what it could mean:

WHAT DO ACNE ON THE FOREHEAD AND NOSE (T-ZONE) MEAN

Often acne in the T-zone (forehead and nose area) is mainly caused by excessive secretion of sebum or fat, as well as stress. Although stress and oil production in the skin are not particularly related, stress can definitely worsen the condition of the skin, and the appearance of acne is a natural outcome. One study confirmed this ( 1 ). This survey of 215 medical students showed that about 67% of them got their acne "due to" stress.

Even in adult women, stress can play a critical role in acne flare-ups ( 2 ). How this happens is still unclear, but the fact remains.

Pimples on the forehead can be associated with a number of problems such as poor diet and clogged pores with chemicals present in hair products or cosmetics.

Avoid frequent touching of the forehead. Unclean hands and fingers apply dirt directly to the skin, which clogs pores and causes breakouts. Another study confirmed this 2 ).

WHAT DO ACNE ON THE HAIRLINE MEAN

Some hair care products contain artificial fats, so-called "pomades" (a water-based fatty substance). Your shampoo, hair spray, hair serum - everything can contain this "pomade". When these substances come into contact with the scalp, they often irritate the skin on the forehead, especially the part close to the hairline. This type of acne is called "pomade acne". When you notice that you often get these pimples, you should understand that something is wrong with your hair care product (or products).

The best way to avoid this is to stop using this product or replace it immediately. Use shampoos and products that are non-comedogenic (those that don't clog your skin's pores).

ACNE IN THE EYEBROW

If you have eyebrow pimples, it is caused by an irritated hair follicle (caused by eyebrow or facial cosmetics or hair care products). If you use any brow products, make sure they are non-comedogenic and clean the applicator often. Ingrown hairs, which can be caused by shaving or plucking your eyebrows, can also cause acne.

What you eat naturally reflects on your skin as well. Although researchers don't fully understand how diet affects acne, research shows that poor diet is often the cause of acne ( 3 ). If your diet has a lot of processed foods, alcohol and fatty foods, then this can be one of the causes of acne. Inadequate water intake and gallbladder problems can be another cause of acne.

WHAT MEAN ACNE ON THE CHEEKS

From dirty pillowcases and makeup brushes to your smartphones and cell phones, as well as stress, all of these can be reasons for the systematic appearance of acne on your cheeks. During a call, most of us hold the phone to our ears, but the screen also touches our cheeks. Studies show that most mobile phone screen surfaces are contaminated with germs and bacteria( 4 ). And this is the easiest way for bacteria to enter your skin.

Another study conducted by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine "Queen Mary" (University of London), found, in addition to everything, traces of feces (!!!) on the phone screens of a large part of the studied ( 5 ).

Therefore, following the basic rules of hygiene is very important.

ACNE ON THE CHIN AND LINE OF CHEEKS

Your hormones are mainly responsible for when pimples appear on your chin or cheekbones. The study says that hormonal acne is mainly concentrated in the lower third of the face, that is, on the chin and on the lower part of the cheekbones ( 6 ).

In other words, acne on this part of your face is related to your endocrine system, which regulates hormone production. For example, when an excess of androgen is produced in your body, your sebaceous glands become overactive. In addition, hormone production increases during the menstrual cycle or when taking birth control pills.

Your hormones are also affected by your diet. Research shows that hormone levels can fluctuate depending on the foods you eat. Thus, if you are on a high-carb, dairy-heavy diet, your hormone levels will increase ( 7 ).

Check your diet if you have frequent acne breakouts in that particular area.

WHAT DO ACNE ON THE EARS MEAN

You can get pimples on your ears too, due to certain reasons such as:

• Buildup of bacteria (due to use of dirty headphones or frequent contact of fingers with the ears)


• Stress


• Hormonal imbalance


• Pore-clogging hair care products and cosmetics

Once you've identified your acne area, you can work on finding out what's causing it. While there is nothing you can do about hormonal acne, there are ways to reduce your chances of getting it.

ACNE PREVENTION TIPS: THINGS TO REMEMBER

Maintain hygiene

Keep your face clean and avoid frequent touching, especially with dirty hands. Also, do not use soaps and harsh facial cleansers to clean your face.

DRINK ENOUGH WATER AND CHECK WHETHER YOU EAT CORRECTLY.

Give up the habit of eating store-bought convenience foods. Reduce sugar in your diet. Chips, pastries, and sugary soft drinks increase blood sugar levels and affect the incidence of acne. Also, if you find that dairy products cause acne, reduce your intake. Drink more water. When you are dehydrated, your skin produces more oil. Also, when you are dehydrated, your cells cannot function properly.

CHECK YOUR COSMETICS AND HAIR CARE PRODUCTS

Switch to products that are non-comedogenic. Avoid using hair care products that contain "pomades". Use products that leave your skin inflamed. Whenever you choose beauty products, always choose those that do not contain artificial fats and are non-comedogenic.

AVOID TOUCHING AND PUSHING YOUR ACNE

I know it's hard to resist the temptation to pop a pimple, but avoid it. This can exacerbate inflammation and increase the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

REDUCE YOUR STRESS

Now that you know that stress affects acne, take active steps to relieve stress. Discover techniques that can work to reduce everyday stress. Try reading, gardening, aromatherapy, or whatever activity you prefer.

The next time you see your face in the mirror, try to figure out what it's trying to tell you. The Acne Map is just there to help you figure out what might be wrong with your lifestyle and internal organs. Acne must be dealt with both internally and externally. While hormones and internal organ problems are complex enough, you can always control external factors. Take care of your body and your skin. Talk to your doctor. A serious approach to solving this problem is the only way to minimize acne.

SOURCES and MATERIALS used in the article:

1. “The Study of Psychological Stress“.  Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA 2007 January.
2. “New Problems, Acne in Adult Women.”  Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, USA. Jan 2017
3. “The Relationship Between Proper Diet and Acne“.  The Johnson & Johnson Skin Research Center; CPPW, a division of Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc.; Skillman, NJ USA. 2009 Oct.
4. “High level bacterial contamination of secondary school students' mobile phones“.  Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Estonia. 2017 Jun.
5. “Contamination of UK mobile phones and hands revealed“.  London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. UK. 2011 Oct.
6. “Hormonal treatment of acne vulgaris: an update“.  Department of Dermatology and Venereology, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt. 2016 Oct.
7. "Diet and dermatology".  Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA. 2014 Jul.