Face Mapping For Acne
What is face mapping for acne?
Acne is not just a skin condition. It can also be a symptom of deeper issues — and the best way to treat acne is by addressing those issues, instead of just masking the symptoms with ineffective treatments.
Face mapping is a holistic approach to acne treatment that uses facial mapping to determine where the issues are. The goal is to identify root causes to restore balance back to your body, and support you in your pursuit of having glowing skin from the inside out.
The first step in face mapping is to identify the different areas on your face that appear to be problematic. If you experience acne, you might notice yourself having breakouts in concentrated areas, like your cheeks, forehead, nose, or chin.
Acne is a complicated condition and there's no one-size-fits-all approach to treating it. But if you can identify what's causing your acne, you'll be so much closer to finding a solution that works for you!
The chart below is an easy way to identify your problem areas with acne:
Forehead Acne
When it comes to acne, the forehead is a pretty common place for breakouts to occur. This can be due to a number of different causes, but it's important to identify which one is at play in your particular case so that you can treat it effectively.
Other than clogged pores and bacterial infections, these organs could also be playing a part in the root cause of forehead acne:
The small intestine: Did you know that if there's too much mucus in the intestines, it can lead to acne on the forehead? This is a common problem for people who have been constipated for a long time or those who have chronic diarrhea. The body needs to balance itself out by eliminating excess mucus through skin pores—which leads to breakouts!
The bladder: If you have frequent bouts of acne on your forehead, it could be because your bladder isn't emptying completely. This could be caused by stress or anxiety (which can cause muscle tension), too much sugar (which causes more fluid retention), or dehydration (which causes less fluid retention).
The heart: People with heart issues likely also experience higher levels of stress. Stress creates tension in the body and mind, leading to an increase in cortisol levels in the bloodstream. Cortisol causes an imbalance in hormones that affect sebum production (sebum being a natural oil produced by our bodies). The resulting inflammation makes us more susceptible to breakouts.
2. Acne On The Cheeks
If you're experiencing acne on your cheeks and are able to rule out common causes like dirty pillowcases, clogged pores, and surface-level bacteria, it’s time to dig a little deeper into what's causing it.
The kidney: This organ is in charge of filtering toxins from the blood, which helps keep your body clean from things like bacteria. When your kidneys aren't doing their job properly, they can allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream and cause breakouts on other parts of your body.
The stomach: Your stomach is tasked with digesting food and breaking it down into nutrients your body needs to function properly. When something goes wrong with this process (like when you have an underactive thyroid gland), it can lead to acne on different parts of the body including cheeks or back.
The lungs: The lungs are responsible for taking in oxygen and getting rid of carbon dioxide so that cells throughout your body can function properly. When something goes wrong with this process (like asthma), it can cause breakouts on different parts of the body including cheeks or back.
3. Nose Acne
Acne on the nose is a common problem for many people. It can take many different forms, from small whiteheads to blackheads, to large cystic acne.
The liver: is the second largest organ in the body (with skin being the first), and it's responsible for many critical functions, including detoxification and hormone production. When your liver cannot function properly, it will send more blood to your skin surface. This causes you to have more oil production in your pores, which leads to clogged pores and acne breakouts.
The pancreas: produces insulin, which helps regulate blood sugar levels. If there's too much insulin or abnormal blood sugar levels in your body, it can cause acne on your nose and elsewhere on your face.
These two organs can be affected by stress, diet and exercise habits, environmental toxins, certain prescription medications, and alcohol consumption—all of which can cause acne on your nose.
4. Acne In The Mouth And Chin Area
Acne on the chin can be triggered by stress, diet, and lifestyle, as well as genetics. The chin is one of the most common places for acne to appear on the face, and it's possible that hormonal fluctuations and pelvic organ function could also be at the root of your chin breakouts.
Pelvic organs such as ovaries, uterus, and adrenal glands are body parts that secrete hormones and can affect the skin.
If you're experiencing changes or abnormalities with your pelvic organs—such as pregnancy, menopause, ovarian cysts, PCOS, irregular periods, or hormone imbalances—and are also getting acne around your mouth and chin, it's important to talk to a professional about how these issues could be connected.
Final Thoughts: Face Mapping As A Tool
Face mapping is a way to help you understand how your internal health can affect your external appearance. Although acne isn't always a sign of a medical condition, other conditions can make it worse.
It’s also important to note that having acne in any of the above areas does not necessarily mean you're sick or unhealthy, so please do not use this to self-diagnose.
Instead, seek professional assistance and consider implementing the below lifestyle changes to help prevent and reduce acne:
Drink more water
Eat a healthy, balanced diet, with lots of fruits and vegetables
Avoid processed foods and sugars
Ensure you’re keeping stress levels low and getting enough sleep
Avoid BPA-containing plastics
Use natural beauty products instead of synthetic ones
Drink alcohol sparingly or not at all
Change your pillowcase weekly
Wash your makeup brushes weekly
Keep your hands away from your face
See your local esthetician!
Ready to make a change in your acne journey? Our Acne Starter Kit equips you with everything needed to tackle acne head-on, simplifying your path to clear skin!
Have questions about face mapping for acne or general inquiries about your skin? We have answers! You don’t have to go on this journey alone. Getting started is as easy as scheduling an in-person or virtual consultation.