Whenever you encounter an outbreak, you're bound to go down the rabbit hole trying to figure out why. There are many reasons why acne appears anywhere on your body, but the face map is like a guide to better understand the cause. Dr. Marissa Garszyk, a board-certified dermatologist in New York.
Meet our experts: Marisa Garszyk, MD, board-certified dermatologist and clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Cornell Presbyterian Medical Center, New York Vanessa Coppola, esthetician and owner of Bare Aesthetic
To be clear, face mapping isn't perfect, as there is little supporting evidence, but that doesn't mean it can't be a useful tool. "The face map provides an interesting and useful chart that can serve as a guide for further research. However, it is by no means a definitive guide and should not be used for diagnosis," says esthetician Vanessa Coppola, owner of Bare Aesthetic. "If you tend to have persistent breakouts in one area of your face, a face map can 'tell you more about your health or lifestyle habits. "It may be useful in retrieving information. However, more research is needed in this area to test its validity."
How exactly does face mapping work? Read on for all the details and a complete explanation of the different types of acne and what they mean.
What does the place I drive mean?
There are many reasons for acne in a particular area, but a face map can help you determine what can be done to improve your acne condition. A chapter-by-chapter summary of what it all means.
forehead and nose
The forehead and nose are often referred to as the T-zone. This is a common area of oil-related leakage in many people due to the number of glands in the area. "In traditional Chinese medicine, the forehead and nose are connected to the liver and digestive system," explains Coppola. If you're experiencing a new flare-up in this area, she recommends paying attention to how much water and alcohol you're drinking and whether your liver is the underlying problem, as it's the organ responsible for detoxifying your body.
Eyebrow
If you get your brows done regularly, you probably know what it's like to get smudged after getting your brows done. “This could be due to hair products, certain types of face makeup or ingrown hairs. Especially in relation to epilation or depilation", says the doctor. Boil .
That doesn't mean there aren't other reasons for redness in your eyebrows. Adds Coppola: "Brows are generally associated with stress and lack of sleep." "Disruptions in your sleep patterns can lead to increased levels of cortisol and other stress hormones, which can lead to increased sebum production in the area." It's also worth noting that your eyebrows are part of your T-zone. Therefore, increased oil production near this zone is not surprising.
hairstyle
If you use too much gel or hairspray near the hairline, especially if you have sensitive skin, breakouts can occur. Coppola says it could also be from your shampoo or balsa.
This type of acne can also be caused by sweating during exercise. Try to shower and wash your hair right after you get out to prevent breakouts near your hairline. I went to the gym.
Like the rest of the forehead, the hairline can break due to stress or poor sleep hygiene. In this case, Coppola recommends taking a stress inventory and incorporating meditation exercises into your routine more often.
beard and chin
Jaws and jowls usually protrude due to hormonal imbalance. "An increase or increase in hormonal balance can lead to increased inflammation, which in turn can lead to increased breakouts in that area," says Coppola. This may be more so for people with PCOS or menopause, she adds. If you're concerned that your hormones are causing excessive acne, talk to your doctor to discuss your options.
to play
It may be an afterthought, but your face comes into contact with a variety of surfaces that can cause wrinkles. When was the last time you washed your makeup brushes? How often do you change your pillowcase? How many times has your phone touched your face today? These are just some of the questions that may come to mind when you think about how much pollution your face is exposed to on a daily basis.
Cheek acne can also be problems with the stomach, liver and pancreas or organs related to digestion. "Disturbances in the digestive system or the gut microbiome can cause rashes on the cheeks," says Coppola. "This could be a sign that you've changed your diet, any foods you may be sensitive to, and long-term medications that can alter healthy gut bacteria, such as B. Antibiotics that affect your gut health should be investigated."
What are the different types of rashes and how are they treated?
Blackheads: Blackheads appear when the hair follicle becomes blocked with dead skin cells and sebum. It gets its color from an oxidizing hole on the surface. They are best treated with ingredients like "retinoids, vitamin A derivatives, and salicylic acid, which is a beta-hydroxy acid," said Dr. Boil . You can also use a physical peel or get an in-office chemical peel, she adds.
Blackheads : The difference between blackheads and comedones is that blackheads do not have a small opening. Thus, the oil and dead skin does not oxidize and gives it a white appearance. The doctor says that the same ingredients can be used to treat blackheads as for whiteheads. Boil. Ideally, you want to do your best to open the pores.
Papules: If you imagine what acne looks like, you will probably imagine papules. Dr. Boil . " People with papules are often advised to use anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agents such as benzoyl peroxide and sulfur to fight bacteria and reduce inflammation," she says. If possible, you can also see a dermatologist for blue light treatment.
Pustules: A good visual example of what pustules look like is folliculitis, although it can look like a pimple. They usually look like red lumps with pus in the center as they belong to the subcategory of inflammatory acne. " Pustules, which are part of acne vulgaris, can often be treated in the same way as papules," says Dr. Boil . In addition to retinoids, depending on the grade and severity, the use of benzoyl peroxide, topical or oral antibiotics , or isotretinoin may be helpful. If you're looking to get rid of blemishes, she recommends using an acne patch.
Nodular acne: Pimples that form as hard lumps under the skin are called nodular acne. Sometimes they are skin-colored, sometimes they are red when inflamed, and sometimes they are tender. "They tend to be larger than traditional papules and often require systemic treatment with antibiotics, oral contraceptives, and oral medications such as spironolactone or isotretinoin," said Dr. Boil. "Even though acne may be deeper, topical medications including retinoids and benzoyl peroxide are still important for acne prevention." If you have nodular acne scars, he recommends using retinoids. You can also talk to your dermatologist about cortisone injections to reduce inflammation.
Cystic acne: Similar to nodular acne, cystic acne is located deeper in the skin, but is softer than nodules because they are filled with keratin or pus. Most cystic acne is hormonal, but there are treatments. Horszyk recommends retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, antibiotics and birth control.
The last bite
Using the face map, you can probably guess what is causing your acne. However, if you're really not sure what's causing your acne, it's always best to see a dermatologist and make an appointment about the best way to treat it.
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