Some areas of the body are more acne-prone. The forehead is one of those areas. The forehead acne is marked by the appearance of red bumps on the forehead. These are called papules. The build-up of pus in the papules can make them infective and painful. These are called pustules. But whatever stage of forehead acne you are experiencing, a proper treatment is important. But before we understand the different treatment options, let’s first understand the root causes of acne.
Forehead Acne Causes
Acne bumps, irrespective of the place of eruption, are caused due to clogging of skin pores. The main cause of acne is the overproduction of sebum, the skin’s natural oil that lubricates and protects the skin. The sebum gets to the surface of the skin through tiny skin pores. On the skin’s surface, it comes in contact with environmental dust, dead skin cells, and other contaminants, causing swollen bumps called pimples. Once the bacterial infection begins to grow within the pimples, they become pustules.
Factors that lead to an increase in sebum production are:
- Hormones
- Stress
- Certain ongoing medication
In addition to these, there are other factors that lead to the outbreak of forehead acne. These are:
- Lack of hygiene – Not washing your face or hair regularly and properly can lead to oily deposits accumulating and causing the breakout of forehead acne.
- Inappropriate hairstyle and wrong hair products – Hair products are one of the noted causes of forehead acne. Hair oils, gels, and waxes contain cocoa butter or coconut oil that is known to make the skin oily. Also, haircuts that allow the hair to fall onto the forehead can trigger forehead acne.
- Excessive use of cosmetics – Heavy and prolonged face makeup covers the skin pores. Natural sebum production gets clogged in the pores, leading to an outbreak of pimples.
- Improper headgear and headbands – The use of headbands, hats, and scarves that persistently rub against the forehead and irritate the skin may be responsible for the acne outbreak.
- Frequent touching – Touching your face or fidgeting with your hair too often can cause forehead acne as the fingers tend to leave behind germs and infections on the face, leading to an acne outbreak.
- Boils – These are painful bumps that are caused by infected hair follicles.
- Cellulitis – Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that leads to infectious acne outbreaks on the forehead.
- Contact dermatitis – Contact dermatitis is an itchy skin rash that is caused by an allergic reaction or frequent touching.
Forehead Acne Treatment
The forehead acne treatment will depend upon the severity of the acne outbreak. While mild cases can be managed well by a good skincare routine, moderate to severe cases will require over-the-counter products or prescription drugs.
1. Mild Acne Care
The best way to treat mild acne is by following a good skincare regimen. Helpful acne care tips include:
- Wash your face twice a day to remove excess oil and dirt.
- Always use a mild, gentle cleanser.
- Do not scrub your face while washing.
- Pat dry your face gently. Do not scrub it.
- Wash your hair frequently.
- Tie your hair up. Do not let it fall on the forehead.
- Avoid touching your face too frequently.
- Do not touch or pop pimples.
- Avoid oil-based creams and cosmetics. Instead, use water-based products.
- Avoid alcohol-based products as they aggravate pimples.
- Watch what you eat. Avoid eating too much oil and limit your intake of sugar.
2. Moderate Forehead Acne Treatment
Besides a good skincare routine, treatment for moderate forehead acne will include over-the-counter acne products. These are in the form of gels, soaps, lotions, and creams. The most commonly found active ingredients in over-the-counter acne products include:
- Benzoyl peroxide – It is a chemical compound that attacks the bacteria on the skin, helping eliminate infection and acne.
- Salicylic acid – It is an organic compound derived from plants. It helps the skin shed dead cells quickly. It reduces the skin’s sebum production and treats acne by unclogging blocked skin pores.
- Retinol – It increases the production of skin cells and helps unclog pores.
- Resorcinol – It helps remove hard, scaly, and roughened skin.
Topical antibiotics such as erythromycin, metronidazole, and clindamycin may also be prescribed to combat inflammation and infection. One must read the product label carefully and choose the product as per their skin type. It is important to use it as per the directions mentioned on the product label.
3. Treatment for Severe Forehead Acne
If over-the-counter acne products fail to show results or the condition of forehead acne is severe, it is important to consult a dermatologist. Prescription medicine for acne care reduces oil production, combats swelling, and eliminates bacterial infection. The commonly used topical prescription medications for acne contain:
- Retinoids – These are chemical compounds derived from Vitamin A. They help unclog pores, reducing acne outbreaks.
- Azelaic acid – It is a plant-based compound. It possesses antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. It eliminates bacteria and reduces acne inflammation.
- Dapsone – It belongs to a class of medications called sulfone antibiotics. Dapsone slows down the growth of bacteria and helps reduce inflammation.
Oral medication for severe acne care can include oral antibiotics. Depending upon the severity of the condition, the dermatologist can also consider prescribing anti-androgen agents. They work by blocking the effect of androgen hormones on the oil-producing glands, thus thwarting the acne outbreak. Other oral medicines for forehead acne include Isotretinoin, a derivative of Vitamin A.
In addition to topical application formulas and oral medications, some people may require acne therapies. These either work alone or are used in combination with prescription medicines. The acne therapies include:
- Light therapy – Light therapy uses light of different wavelengths. Red and blue lights work best on inflammatory acne. They reduce the activity in the sebaceous gland, making the skin less oily. They also kill acne-causing bacteria.
- Chemical peel – The treatment exfoliates the skin. It removes the outer layer of skin, thus eliminating dead skin cells and excess oil. A chemical peel is also effective against active acne as it reduces clogged pores.
- Drainage and extraction – Stubborn pimples undergo the process of drainage and extraction. The pimple head is cut open to remove a large acne cyst. The extraction procedure helps get rid of comedonal acne like blackheads and whiteheads.
- Steroid injection – In this treatment procedure, a steroid injection is injected directly into the acne cyst. This reduces redness, inflammation, and infection within a few days.
Natural Home Remedies to Treat Forehead Acne
Mild to moderate forehead acne can also be treated through home remedies. The most promising home remedies for forehead acne are:
- Apple Cider Vinegar – Apple cider vinegar contains organic acids which fight acne bacteria.
- Zinc Supplements – Zinc has anti-inflammatory properties. It eliminates bacteria from acne and reduces sebum production. It also promotes wound healing and reduces acne scars.
- Honey and Cinnamon Mask – The mixture has high anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce acne. It is a perfect mask for spot correction.
- Tea Tree Oil – Topical application of tea tree oil is a perfect pimple treatment. It is an effective spot treatment for pimples as it possesses high antibacterial properties.
- Green Tea – Drinking green tea confers several benefits. It is high in antioxidants. It contains polyphenols that fight bacteria and reduce inflammation.
- Witch Hazel – Extracts from the bark of the Witch Hazel shrub help treat forehead acne by reducing inflammation and fighting bacteria.
- Aloe Vera – Clear gel extracted from the aloe vera plant is a magic potion for the skin. It helps treat several skin conditions including acne.
- Fish Oil Supplements – Fish oil contains Omega-3 fatty acids which decrease inflammation and help correct acne.
- Brewer’s yeast – It is rich in Vitamin B and antioxidants. It nourishes the body and fights free radicals. It reduces inflammation and promotes wound healing.
Conclusion
Forehead acne is quite common. Hormonal changes during the onset of puberty, poor hygiene, stress, inappropriate cosmetics, or use of certain medications; anything can trigger the condition. Forehead acne treatment will depend on the forehead acne cause and the severity of the condition. Mild to moderate forehead acne can be managed without medical intervention by home remedies and over-the-counter acne products. But severe cases are best treated by dermatologists by using prescription drugs and acne therapy. But a good skincare routine forms the basis of acne care. Also, it is important to go low on oily and sugary foods.
