Breakouts are the worst! For many, it seems like no matter what you do, a blemish will always pop up at the worst time possible. For example, date night. While past studies have mainly linked acne to genetics, puberty and/or wearing make-up, it turns out that your stubborn bumps may be a reflection of an internal health issue. According to face mapping, breakouts signal different issues based on the area of face affected.
How it works
“The body is made up of a bunch of systems—lympathic, neurological, digestive, to name a few—and all of these systems are tied together,” Dr. Dan Hsu, an NYC doctor who specializes in this ancient Chinese practice, says.
Check out what the many ways cheap makeup is aging your skin here.
“It’s very difficult to affect one without affecting others.” He says face mapping is a way to verify what’s going on inside your body, since every part of your body is linked to different organs. “In Chinese medicine, we look at the body as a whole, and how everything works together.”
For a breakdown on what your acne issue means, keep scrolling…
T-Zone - Breakouts around the part of your face that is made up of the forehead, nose and chin is closely linked to stress and puberty. Meanwhile, forehead pimples also signal liver and digestive issues.
Cheeks - Often the result of poor skin hygiene, excessive oil and debris, you’ll have to make some healthy changes to your routine to improve conditions. Wash your face morning and night. If you wear make-up, shy away from pore-clogging products and opt for oil-free, non-comedogenic and/or paraben-free cosmetics. According to The Mayo Clinic, cheek breakouts can also be a sign of lung and respiration problems.
Chin - More often than not, chin breakouts are linked to women’s menstrual cycles, but they have also been linked to imbalances in the colon due to the large intestine.
“You can decrease the effect by getting adequate sleep, drinking enough water, eating leafy veggies, and keeping skin squeaky clean,” says Lindsey Blondin, lead esthetician at George the Salon Chicago.
Jaw - Like your chin, acne around your jawline is also menstrual-related. New York-based dermatologist, Dr. Whitney Bowe says both “birth control and spironolactone (which decreases testosterone levels) are both effective treatment options for these pesky pimples"
Under Eyes - If your breakouts tend to stick to your under eyes and upper cheek area, this could be sign of a kidney problem.
For more information on acne face mapping, talk to your dermatologist to see if this approach may be right for you.