Forehead breakouts can be highly embarrassing. They cause major social discomfort and impact our self-esteem. They can be a sign of an underlying health issue, but they’re not a reflection of your personal hygiene or cleanliness. Most of the time, they are the result of a buildup of oil and dirt in the area, often caused by excessive touching of the face or wearing heavy makeup without any proper skincare, as well as the reasons we are going to talk about below, so let’s get started!
Hormonal changes
When a woman is in her teens or early 20s, her body is constantly changing. Her menstrual cycle begins, her reproductive system develops, and she slowly grows in height and weight. During this time, her body naturally produces hormones called estrogen and progesterone. Some women suffer from hormonal imbalances or PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), which can cause a number of symptoms, including hair loss, dark patches, and, of course, acne.
Fortunately, hormones can be managed and there are things we can do in order to help give our bodies the best chance of keeping things as balanced as possible. For starters, making sure to eat well and exercise can go a long way towards balancing out hormones and helping with skin. Getting the right amount of hydration is also super-important when it comes to keeping skin clear and healthy, so make sure you are drinking enough water each day.
Stress
Stress affects everyone. And where stress occurs, pimples often follow, as well as dull and dehydrated-looking skin. It doesn’t just cause spots to appear on your skin. It can also cause your pores to dilate, allowing bacteria to enter more easily. Stress also causes an overproduction of sebum, which can clog your pores. It can also make your skin look dull and dehydrated. When we experience stress, our cortisol, adrenaline, and growth hormones rise. These stress hormones can disrupt the balance of our skin’s natural oils, leading to acne.
Stress is all around us. Stressors can come from work, relationships, our financial situation, and even the weather. Therefore, it is vital that we learn how to manage this so that we can go about our days as best as we can and figure out how best to reduce stress when it does arrive in order to cause minimum negative effects on both our physical and mental health. What works for one person won’t necessarily work for another, so it’s important to find what works best for you and make time to do this as often as you need to.
Medication
Acne is a common skin condition that appears in almost everyone at some point in their lives. The skin is the largest organ in the body, and because it has pores, it’s susceptible to inflammation that can ultimately lead to acne, as well as blockages caused by oil, dead skin cells, dirt, or other debris. Acne is most commonly recognized by blackheads and whiteheads, but the condition also leads to the development of larger pores, pimples, and cysts. Acne can leave a scar.
Although the exact cause of pimples is unknown, there are practical ways to prevent and treat pimples. Permanently treating acne requires a combination of medication and lifestyle changes. A doctor or dermatologist can advise on the best course of action, depending on how severe your acne is, and then it will be up to you to stick to the recommended course of treatment if you are determined to see the end of your acne.
Wearing tight-fitting hats or clothing that covers the forehead
While this may not be the first thing that you think of when you think of acne, the friction that is created when a hat, sweatband, scarf, etc, on your head rubs against your forehead, can cause an acne flair-up. They can also trap sweat in your pores which, again, is a recipe for pimples. To minimize the chance of this happening, choose breathable fabrics like cotton for head wear, wash them frequently, and wear them as loosely as possible around your head. If you think your pores have collected too much dirt or sweat, then you could consider using a gentle exfoliating cleanser to help unclog and cleanse your pores. Make sure to use a good moisturizer afterwards to keep your skin hydrated and glowing. Sometimes you may have to visit a beauty parlor or require facial spa services that specializes in deep cleaning sebum filled follicles and pores to get rid of the dirt and sweat from your pores to reduce your forehead acne.
Triggered by other conditions
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, about 11 million Americans have seborrheic dermatitis. This itchy, patchy skin condition is most common on the scalp but can occur anywhere on your body, and it often gets worse during the summer, when sweaty, dirty hair can irritate it. It can lead to blocked hair follicles which, in turn, can lead to acne breakouts. Therefore, if you know you have experience with seborrheic dermatitis, you should make sure to stay on top of your treatment for this to give yourself the best chance of warding off any acne.
Acne can be a really awkward thing to have to face up to, especially as it is such a visible thing on a person’s face or forehead. However, once you are aware of exactly what the culprits are that trigger your acne (as this greatly varies from person to person), you will be able to put in place the measures that you need in order to prevent acne from becoming a big part of your life.