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The Hack You Need to Decipher Your Acne’s Pattern

Do your pimples keep popping up in the same spots over and over again? Face mapping may help you understand why.

Acne can be traced back to a number of different causes, many of which are tied to our general health and wellbeing. But if you keep getting pimples in the same area, there may be an underlying issue that goes beyond forgetting to wash your face.

A holistic method called “face mapping” can help provide some insight into the root cause of your breakout and how best to target it. Dating back thousands of years, the core concept behind the practice is that our skin’s complexion reflects issues with certain organs in the body.

The practice has evolved in modern times as we’ve learned more about lifestyle factors that cause acne, but the idea that breakouts in specific areas can help us pinpoint underlying bodily causes remains the same.

How Does it Work?

For breakouts that are directly related to health and lifestyle issues and not poor hygiene or skin infections, all you need to do is take note of their location to begin the process of face mapping.

Here’s a list of breakout locations and what they may signify:

• Jaw or Chin – These breakouts are thought to be caused by some kind of hormonal imbalance, and may occur 7-10 days before a woman’s period. Hormonal acne is caused by excess androgen, which in turn results in our glands producing excess oil, clogging pores and allowing acne-causing bacteria to grow.
• Around the Edges of the Face – Although breakouts in this spot can also be attributed to hormonal acne, they are often triggered by beauty products that contain oils and chemicals that clog or irritate pores. Hats, earmuffs, and dirty workout gear such as headbands might also be to blame, as they transfer acne-causing bacteria onto your face.
• Cheeks – Acne on our cheeks may signify that we’re eating too much sugar. It can also be caused by our cell phones; germs and oil accumulate on our phone screens, and are then transferred to our cheeks when we chat on the phone.
• Forehead – Breakouts on your forehead may indicate digestive or liver problems, stress, or irregular sleep.
• The T-Zone – Consisting of the forehead, nose, and chin, breakouts in this area may mean that your face is producing too much oil, resulting in blackheads and whiteheads. Non-comedogenic makeup (makeup that clogs the pores) may also be to blame for breakouts in this area.

Face mapping is not an exact science, so if your acne hasn’t cleared up after a couple of weeks, or you have additional symptoms, you should contact a dermatologist immediately.