Acne is the most common skin condition in the United States. It not only affects teenagers and adults, but also kids as young as 10 years old. Each year, 50 million Americans are affected by acne, and approximately 85% of these people are between the ages of 12 and 24. While acne isn't a dangerous ailment, it can serve as a telltale sign of imbalances in your body. These numbers can be alarming, especially if some of these cases are caused by underlying health problems.

If you’re wondering whether acne really does say something about the state of your health, we’re telling you, it’s real. Perhaps you’ve already heard about how certain health conditions reflect on your eyes. The premise is the same with acne, the location of certain types of pimples on specific areas of your face represents another part of your body.

Face Mapping

There’s a process on how experts can tell what kind of health issues you have based on your acne, and it’s called Face Mapping, an alternative medicine practice of examining the location of acne on the face to determine what kind of health issues a patient has.

It merges old techniques from Chinese medicine, Ayurvedic Medicine, and modern dermatological methods to describe several underlying causes of acne. Face mapping is called Mien Shaing in Chinese, which means “reading the face.” The face is subdivided into several sections, commonly known as “acne zones,” which correlates with several internal organs. This helps in identifying factors that might have caused the acne breakout.

Here’s what having acne in specific acne zones signifies:

Forehead

Acne on the forehead translates to digestive problems, and are often connected with stress, unhealthy eating habits, poor hygiene, or bacterial infections. Lack of sleep is also associated with acne on the forehead. Experts recommend that people who have acne on this zone cut back on carbonated drinks and get themselves hydrated throughout the day.

Dairy and sugary foods also need to be avoided as they can potentially aggravate the problem. For acne that’s closer to the hairline, it’s best if you check the ingredients of your shampoo because it may be causing the problem. Shampoos that contain parabens and sulfates can be harsh on the skin, so make sure you know what’s in your shampoo.

Nose

This might be a bit alarming, but acne around the nose is associated with heart issues. A study conducted by Hanyang University showed evidence that nosebleeds can be linked to the occurrence of heart attacks, so you might want to take this a bit seriously. Acne on the nose is also attributed to high blood pressure, and experts advise those with acne on this zone to cut back on oily foods and start eating foods that are rich in folate and B vitamins. These nutrients are known to support heart health and help reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Do not despair, however, as acne on the nose may be a result of buildup of bacteria, dead skin cells, and excess sebum. Studies have shown that on average, people tend to touch their nose around four times in an hour. The nose is prone to breakouts because of excess oil production around this area, and touching it often with your hands may be responsible in spreading bacteria and clog the pores around it, resulting in acne.

Glabella

The glabella is the skin between your eyebrows, and pimples on this zone are associated with liver problems. Drinking alcohol and foods that are high in trans fat weakens the liver, so doctors recommend people with acne on this zone to reduce alcohol consumption and be keen on their diet, especially their intake of trans fat. Yes, your diet and your acne are known to be correlated.

The first three zones we’ve presented are part of what experts call the T-zone, which covers your forehead, nose, and down to your chin. Experts suggest that acne in the T-zone are closely connected, so avoiding unhealthy foods can benefit the complexion of this area. But even if you don’t have acne, good eating habits can improve your overall health.

Around the Eyes

Pimples around the eyes are associated with both the kidneys and liver. Certain eye growths can be a common occurrence for some, especially for those with high levels of fat in their bloodstream and excess growth of their sweat glands. These growths are called xanthelasma. While xanthelasma may occur for no reason at all, it is also a good indicator that a person has high cholesterol, hypothyroidism, or a liver condition. It’s best to pay attention to these, especially if you’re noticing other unusual symptoms. This may be a sign that something else is going on.

 Dark circles around your eyes indicate that you’re dehydrated, so make sure that you’re adequately hydrated throughout the day.

Cheeks

Acne on the cheeks may be an indication of respiratory problems. This is highly noticeable on some smokers as smoking can deprive the skin of oxygen. Although this is not the case for all smokers, some studies showed a correlation between acne and smoking. You might want to start taking care of your lungs if you think this is the case for you, not only to get rid of your acne, but because smoking poses a huge risk to your overall health.

If you’re not a smoker, then you can worry less since the cheeks are a usual spot for cosmetic application. If you have acne on this zone, look at the cosmetic products you’re using because they may contain ingredients that are a bit harsh on your skin.

Your acne may be telling you something about your body. So, pay attention to where your acne forms. You may discover something about your health that you were not previously aware of.

We hope that you enjoyed this article! If you have feedback and suggestions, please let us know in the comments section!

References:

• https://www.rd.com/health/beauty/what-your-acne-says-about-you/
• https://www.skincarebyalana.com/blog/location-location-location-where-your-breakouts-are-located-what-they-say-about-your-health/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2836431/
• https://www.empowher.com/beauty/content/what-are-those-eye-bumps
• https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02677467 (Clinical Study)
• https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321267.php