What Does Acne Reveal About Health?

Acne is a common skin condition when the hair follicles under the skin become clogged.

It may be due to sebum, dirt, or dead cells. Acne tells a lot about your health.

Acne or pimple is considered a sign of puberty and the unfortunate thing is that these breakouts sometimes stay longer than expected.

There could be various reasons why you’re still dealing with pimples and blemishes in your 20s, 30s, and 40s.

Different spots like your cheeks, forehead, or jawline, where you get acne can depict a lot about your overall health.

If you know the exact cause of acne on different parts of your face then of course you can treat it well.

While stress, excess oil, and poor diet are the main reasons for causing acne, you need to know where you are going wrong so you can get rid of it. 

Besides this, high blood pressure, angry liver, poor digestion, and even dehydration are also other reasons for acne.

Here are the most common breakout acne spots and their causes and ways to deal with them.

The most common breakout spots of acne

1. Hairline:

This is the part on your face that comes in close contact with the hair products like hair oil and styling gel. These clog the pores and prompt acne. Headwear can also cause acne if the material irritates you.

Also, men who tend to sweat on temples or have dandruff are prone to hairline acne. To treat it, wash your face regularly to get rid of sweat, oil, and dandruff flakes, and use your hair products carefully to avoid getting them on the skin.

It means the main reason for acne here is oil and grease from hair products.

2. T-Zone: 

Your nose, forehead, and the area between the eyebrows are your T-Zone and it is the most common area that turns into a pimple city for most people. The reason is that this zone produces an excess of sebum, especially during extreme weather.

If you have sensitive skin then irritation from clothing or the chemicals in makeup can also cause forehead acne. You may get a breakout after you use a new makeup brand or if you wear a hat or headband that irritates your skin.

Touching your face a lot can also lead to acne. Your fingers deposit oil and bacteria onto your skin and into your pores.

Use a face wash twice daily to get rid of excess oil and stay fresh.

3. Cheeks: 

If you are getting acne on your cheeks, it is a sign of poor hygiene, bacteria from pillows, or stress. Environmental aggressors could also play a part in including acne on your cheeks. 

Hair follicles clogged with oil and dead skin cells also cause pimples, shaving foam for men, foundation makeup, and phone screens can be a reason for pimples.

Exfoliate your face to get the dirt and dust off and change your sheets and pillow covers regularly. Maintain good hygiene and keep yourself clean to keep it in check.

4. Jawline: 

Acne on your chin and jawline has been associated with hormonal changes in your body. An increase in the level of testosterone could lead to aggravated breakouts on your chin. Acne in this area is also caused due to ingrown hair. 

Using old razor blades can also lead to infection.

Use products with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. Men who have a beard should make sure they steer clear of excess beard oil and always use a clean comb.

Excess of the hormone androgen in women with PCOS also causes acne.

Common causes of acne in adults

• Hormone: Most acne is caused by hormonal stimulation of oil production, which results in clogged pores.

This is why women in periods, of pregnancy, and menopause face acne problems.

• Sugar and Dairy: According to research excess of both these products may trigger inflammation and oil production resulting in acne.

Instead of milk, you can add yogurt to your diet which is good for the skin.

• Makeup: Makeup clogs the pores and pores are liable for releasing oil and sweat from the skin.

When they are covered by makeup then oil, bacteria, and dead skin get stuck in them, leading to acne breakouts.

• Stress: Stress also affects hormone secretion. As a result, more oil is secreted from the glands which result in acne. For treating stress, do meditation, or exercise daily.

How can you reduce the appearance of acne on your face?

• Stop touching your face to avoid transferring bacteria
• Always wash your hands after using the toilet
• Regularly clean your phone screen with anti-bacterial wipes
• Wear less make-up and/or research brands that use chemical-free products
• Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated
• Change your bed sheets every two weeks
• Get into the habit of a skincare routine and clean your skin daily
• Grow out your fringe
• Try to remove dairy and sugary processed foods from your diet and avoid spicy and fried food.
• Try to get good sleep – at least seven to eight hours a night
• At least do five minutes of meditation a day if you lead a particularly stressful life

Alternative Treatment for Pimples:

1. Green tea extract: Both oral and topical use of green tea helps in the reduction of acne breakouts.

It is full of antioxidants and it protects from free radical damage. It reduces skin inflammation also green tea has anti-bacterial properties.

According to the research done in April 2016 on issues of Complementary Therapies in medicines, a group of women has given green tea extract supplements and another group took a placebo supplement.

Those who took the green tea extract resulted in fewer inflammatory breakouts, especially around the nose, mouth, and chin.

2. Aloe Vera: It is full of antibacterial properties. Apply it over the face with circular motions so that it increases the blood flow and if you have breakouts then put it over the pimple, leave it for a night, and in the morning wash it with water.

The antibacterial properties remove redness and irritation, giving a cool and soothing effect.

3. Tea tree oil: Tea tree oil consists of antimicrobial compounds that help prevent microbial growth.

It contains impressive antibacterial properties known as terpenes, a type of volatile oil, that work against Propionibacterium acnes, effectively destroying the acne-causing bacteria and reducing the level of acne breakouts.

Takeaway

Acnes are noticeable and it gives the feeling of discomfort and embarrassment.

In some cases, it often can lead to depression and social withdrawal so it’s better to understand the cause and treat it properly.

In general, hygiene and cleanliness, avoiding scrubbing, and washing the face with plain water are some common and easy things to follow for a pimple-free face.

Remember pimples don’t have to control your life but you should control them with easy and simple tips as shared.

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