Why Does Forehead Acne Form?
Forehead acne develops when tiny glands below the surface of the skin become blocked. Hormonal changes, stress, allergies, and poor hygiene are all common triggers of acne. Although not a dangerous medical condition, forehead acne can still be embarrassing and cause social discomfort, especially in the most hormonally active group: teenagers. Teenagers are still in the midst of social development. And for them, forehead acne can even cause depression in severe cases.
Adult forehead acne can be a serious problem for one’s self-esteem too. One study found adult females experienced higher levels of emotional and social stress if they had mild to moderate acne. Let’s first take a look at prevention of forehead acne before discussing the different types of forehead acne and finally how to get rid of forehead acne.
Prevention of Forehead Acne
Prevention of all things undesirable, including forehead acne, begins with a plan. To prevent forehead acne, establish a routine that includes washing your face twice daily: once in the morning and once in the evening. When washing your face to prevent forehead acne, use a mild facial scrub.
To prevent forehead acne, avoid eating highly processed foods or too much sugar. Sugar and other high glycemic foods cause your blood sugar and insulin levels to spike. The result is inflammation through the body, which increases the odds of developing forehead acne. Inflammation breaks down collagen and elastin, two of the essential building blocks of your skin.
Another easy way to avoid the clogging of pores and thus avoid forehead acne is to abstain from wearing hats or headbands that cover and possibly clog the skin on the forehead. Yes, wearing a hat is great sun protection, but those hat bands are just filled with dirt and bacteria that when pressed against your skin during sweaty exercise is the recipe for forehead acne.
Wear a good mineral sunscreen instead and follow the next suggestion to prevent forehead acne. Don’t forget to shower after exercise. This one is obvious, right? Exercise can cause excessive sweating as well as build up of dirt and oil, all of which can lead to forehead acne.
Types of Forehead Acne
So, you’ve followed all of the preventative steps and you still have forehead acne. Or maybe you are just beginning to integrate the above preventions into your routine but you already have the forehead acne and need to get rid of it.
Let’s first establish we are talking about the same thing, the same types of acne. Whiteheads are one of the more recognizable types of acne. Whiteheads on the forehead occur when a thin layer of skin covers a pore clogged with dead cells or debris, creating a white, round bump on the skin. A buildup of oil, dead skin cells, and hormonal changes cause this type of forehead acne.
Another type of acne is blackheads. Blackheads are caused by clogged pores and excess oil production due to hormonal changes. Your forehead acne may be a pustule or an inflamed lesion. A pustule is generally pus-filled and may appear white or yellow.
In some cases what you may think is forehead acne is actually another kind of infection. Always see your dermatologist with any questions.
Home Remedies for Forehead Acne
Home remedies for forehead acne are a great place to start. Remedies will vary depending on the type of breakout.
Cleanse in the morning and the evening with a facial cleanser containing salicylic and glycol acid to help prevent forehead acne. This cleansing will help keep the area clean and free from the irritating bacteria. Using an over-the-counter or stronger retinol at night can help encourage cell turnover and prevent pores from getting clogged in the first place.
Other home remedies you may try to clear up forehead acne include tea tree oil, aloe vera, or apple cider vinegar.
Tea tree oil consists of anti-microbial compounds that help prevent microbial (forehead acne) growth. Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic and keeps forehead acne from taking hold, especially in a person whose skin is oily or acne-prone. It is not safe for ingestion, but it’s perfectly safe as a topical applicant for forehead acne. Tea tree oil can even help speed up the skin’s healing process during a forehead acne breakout.
Another home remedy to try if you have forehead acne is aloe vera, a succulent plant native to Africa. Inside the plant’s leaves is a gel that can be squeezed directly onto the skin. The gel from the plant is anti-inflammatory and may help reduce swollen pimples that are part of a forehead acne breakout. Aloe vera is also very moisturizing. If your skin is dry or irritated due to forehead acne, a bit of aloe vera may prove soothing. One study in the Journal of Dermatological Treatment even found that patients who used aloe vera in combination with a prescription topical had fewer pimples and less redness than a placebo group.
Apple cider vinegar is another home remedy for forehead acne. “While there haven’t been any scientific studies specifically evaluating apple cider vinegar for acne, the acetic acid in apple cider vinegar has both antibacterial and keratolytic properties,” said Dr. Sejal Shah, a board certified MD in New York City. This translates to the ability to stop forehead acne before it even bursts through.
What if Home Remedies Don’t Work?
If the home remedies don’t work for your forehead acne, it may be time for a medical intervention. Make an appointment with your dermatologist for an exam. The dermatologist may prescribe a topical treatment for your forehead acne or possibly even an oral antibiotic or oral contraceptive.
Whatever the case, just know that you’re not alone in experiencing forehead acne. Most people at some point in their life experience forehead. With a little trial and error, a solution is out there for you.
