Acne can be very ruthless; it can form on the area where anyone can see it; that's on the forehead. The forehead, however, has acne-prone skin; that's where you will see most people with acne on their forehead. Besides, its acne is good in messing with people's mood. No matter how hard you try, the acne keeps reappearing, and it can get frustrating to get rid of them, but what causes forehead acne? This article will help you understand the causes and how to get rid of them safely and effectively. Read more!
What is Acne?
Acne is a skin condition that usually occurs when your hair follicles get plugged with dead skin cells and oil. The body makes excess oil that blocks the skin from drying out, and this then clumps together with dead skin cells in the hair follicles. It causes pimples, whiteheads, or blackheads and is common among teenagers, though it usually affects people of all ages.
Although effective acne treatments are available, acne can be persistent. The bumps and pimples heal slowly, and when one starts going away, others seem to appear. Depending on its severity, acne can scar the skin and cause emotional distress. Therefore, the earlier you start treating acne, the lower your risk of such issues.
What Causes Forehead Acne?
Dirt, excess oil, bacteria dead skin cells can clog your skin's pores, leading to inflammatory acne on your forehead. These are four common types of acne; papules, pustules, nodules, or cystic acne. So, here are some of the factors that contribute to acne on your forehead:
1. Hormonal changes
Hormones usually play a major role in boosting sebum production. Therefore, hormonal imbalances during puberty or menstruation can cause breakouts or more severe acne on your forehead.
2. Oily skin
An oily T-zone oil can be what causes forehead acne, especially if you don't wash your face well every day.
3. Stress
Yes, high stress or depression is also connected to experiencing acne breakouts.
4. Certain medications
Some medications can be the reason why you have acne or acne-like eruptions on the skin.
5. Skincare products or makeup
We recommend you use noncomedic skin products to avoid acne. For example, if you have an oily T-zone and use oil-based products, this can be why you have acne.
6. Poor hygiene
Cleanliness is next to godliness. Not maintaining enough hygiene levels is said to play a role in causing acne. Leaving your face and hair and not washing them can leave oil deposits and dead skin cells building on your forehead, resulting in acne.
7. Oily scalp and dandruff
Dandruff makes your scalp oily. When the oil accumulates and spreads to your forehead, it results in acne breakouts. Besides, dandruff is one of the most popular causes of acne.
8. Hair products
You might be wondering what causes forehead acne, but you have the answer with your hair products. Hair products that irritate your scalp can lead to acne on your forehead. So, if you don't wash your hair often, it can get greasy. This grease can spread to your forehead, causing acne. So be choosy when buying your hair and skincare products.
Tips to Prevent Acne on Your Forehead
1. Cleanse your face with a gentle cleanser two times a day. Rinse with warm water and gently massage dry. Avoid scrubbing or rubbing the face. Also, don't over-wash. Over-washing can dehydrate your skin and boost sebum production. Moreover, wash your hair often. If you have naturally oily hair, use a shampoo that is labeled to treat oily hair.
2. Exfoliate once or twice a week. This will help you remove dirt and dead skin cells
3. Eat healthy food. We recommend you eat foods rich in Vitamin A, E, and C to help you get healthy skin. Research shows that high-carb diets usually contribute to breakouts. Therefore, avoid foods that are high in carbohydrates and sugar.
4. Avoid touching your pimples. Touching your pimples can deposit acne-causing bacteria from your dirty fingers onto the rest of your face. You also want to avoid breakouts on other parts of your body.
5. Avoid using pomade or oils hair products on your hair. If you have to use them, then clean your forehead afterward with a damp towel.
6. Cut your bangs or, rather, use a hair tie to pull them away from your forehead. Bangs can sometimes cause acne breakouts on your forehead, particularly if it is oily.
7. Ensure you wipe off makeup with a damp towel before sleeping. Makeup can clog pores. Besides, water-based makeup removers usually work well if you have an oily face.
8. Avoid wearing hats or headbands with brims that touch your forehead.
9. Use cleanser, makeup, and other products labeled "noncomedogenic." Meaning they won't clog pores and cause acne. Avoid using products that can irritate the skin, such as cleansers that contain alcohol.
10. Change and wash your pillow covers regularly and maintain hygiene. Sleeping on the same pillows and bed covers can spread acne-causing bacteria to your forehead. Therefore, changing your pillows and bedsheets helps prevent this.
How to Treat Acne on Forehead?
1. Home remedies
a). Tea tree oil
An age-old tradition (tea tree oil) that you can use to treat mild acne as well as moderate acne. It usually has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that can reduce acne.
b). Steam treatment
Facial steaming can soften non-inflamed forehead acne. You can easily remove blackheads and whiteheads with this treatment. However, please don't remove the comedones harshly since it can worsen acne. This should be done by a professional.
c). Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar usually has antibacterial properties that can bring your acne breakouts under control. Also, it helps maintain the pH levels of your skin.
d). At-home face masks
A combination of tea tree oil and aloe vera gel can work well to reduce acne and pimples on your forehead.
Try this!
1. Take about 2-3 teaspoons of aloe vera gel.
2. Mix the gel well with about 3-4 drops of tea tree oil.
3. Apply it evenly on the affected area with a gentle cotton pad, then leave it on overnight.
4. Rinse your face clean when you wake up the following day.
5. Repeat this process every night until you see an improvement.
2. Prescription-based treatments
a). Ointments
Your dermatologist may prescribe some creams or ointments to help you reduce forehead acne and acne lesions.
b). Antibiotics
Oral antibiotics are recommended together with a topical treatment. These oral antibiotics effectively treat forehead acne and have been used in dermatology for more than 40 years.
c). Birth control pills
I know you are surprised to see this here. Well, birth control pills usually reduce the circulation of androgens. Androgens are hormones that boost the sebaceous glands to generate more sebum in the body. Therefore, some birth control pills may be recommended by your dermatologist to improve acne symptoms.
3. Over-the-counter medication
a). Salicylic acid
Salicylic acid is a popular ingredient in skincare products that is good in getting rid of that stubborn acne. It's also used in chemical peels to reduce severe acne. Moreover, it has anti-inflammatory properties and is a great remedy in treating inflammatory acne.
b). Benzoyl peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide is effective in treating acne scars, especially when it has 10% or fewer concentrations. Topical forms usually come in the form of lotions, creams, and gels. Moreover, Benzoyl peroxide has anti-inflammatory properties that are effective in reducing acne.
c). Topical retinoids
Topical retinoids usually work well in treating non-inflammatory and inflammatory acne. In addition, their safe and effective profiles have made them more popular for dermatological use for a long period.
4. In-office methods
a). Chemical peels
Chemical peels usually work as exfoliators. They remove the outer top layer of your skin to restore your normal skin beneath. Your dermatologist will recommend a peel depending on the severity of your acne and your skin type.
b). Laser therapy
Laser therapy has gained popularity in reducing acne and enhancing many other skin conditions in the modern days. It reduces inflammation and can enhance your general skin texture.
c). Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion uses a hand-held gadget to get rid of the top layer of your skin. This method restores general skin tone, texture and maintains healthy skin. In addition, peer-reviewed studies suggest that Microdermabrasion can considerably enhance acne symptoms.
d). Steroid injections
If you are dealing with stubborn acne or have a big event coming up in a few days, steroid injections are the best option for a quick fix. These injections usually offer relief to inflamed areas of the body. Nonetheless, they can leave a pit behind that might take a few months to go away. Besides, they aren't advisable as a regular treatment for acne.
Frequently Asked Questions on What Causes Forehead Acne
1. Can drinking water help in preventing acne?
Yes. Your water intake usually plays a major role in maintaining healthy skin. It helps remove toxins, hydrates your skin, and helps keep hair follicles clean.
2. Are bananas good for forehead acne?
It's said bananas have anti-inflammatory properties, which usually reduce the redness and appearance of acne. Besides, there has been some success treating acne scars by gently rubbing the affected skin's surface with the inside of a banana peel for few minutes, then rinsing with cool water and repeating it a few times a day.
3. How can I get rid of pimples in one day?
Instant results don't really work for skin or health-related issues as things take time. However, there could be exceptions like steroid injections from a board-certified dermatologist. So even though you shouldn't rush, allow the treatment to take its course. Besides, look for medical advice for guidance and suggesting the best treatment
