What is Acne Face Mapping?

Do you start slathering all your creams and pimple patches the moment you spot an acne or a pimple? While these products may help heal your acne on the topical level, the appearance of them at the same places time and again might indicate some underlying health or lifestyle issues that you might need to look deeper into.

We all are aware that acne usually develops due to dirt and grime in the clogged pores or an oily skin. But what goes inside your body, unhealthy eating, drinking less water, hormonal fluctuations, digestive imbalances, genetics and environmental triggers also play a huge part in determining why your acne is being as stubborn as a mule!

The Chinese are famous for their untold, ancient techniques and traditional wisdom of the skin and its betterment. One of their prevalent practices is the Chinese Face Mapping. According to healthline.com, “Also known as mien shiang, which directly translates to “face reading,” Chinese face mapping is a 3,000-year-old practice. It views the face as a map with each section connecting to different organs. When there’s a bodily imbalance, it’s said that the skin will show this via pimples, redness, or dryness. The location of these blemishes on the face represent the organ that’s affected.”

So, if you find the breakouts appearing at always the same places, you might want to scroll down to diagnose the zits based on their location.

Credits: realsimple.com

1. Forehead

Acne breakout on the forehead reveals the instability in your digestive system as they are linked to your liver and gall bladder. So maybe it's time you start ditching that junk and focus on your gut health to get rid of the forehead acne. You may also want to start increasing your intake of water to flush out the existing toxins.

2. Hairline

Using too many hair or skincare products that might clog, trigger your skin around the hairline. Thick, oil-based products can clog the pores and cause acne breakouts. If you find most of your pimples clustered around the rim of your head, it's best to stop using oil-based hair products and switch to non-comedogenic alternatives.

3. Nose

The oily nose is a home to all those stubborn zits on your cute little nose. It is also because of the sebaceous glands present on and around your nose, but in Chinese belief, zits on your nose are related to blood pressure and cholesterol problems. So you might want to take a ride to your dermat once in a while!

4. Cheeks

Environmental triggers such as pollutants in the air, coming in contact with the city-pollution, bad air, and not cleansing your face thoroughly afterwards can cause acne breakouts on your cheeks. Also be on the constant look out for changing those dirty pillowcase and bed sheets.

5. Temples

Acne breakout in the temple area is linked to mainly kidneys and bladder. Infections or inflammation in these areas can present themselves via acne. You might also want to watch out for the consumption of greasy, oily food and alcohol consumption, and if they still persist, consult your physician or dermatologist.

6. Jawline/Chin

Chin and jawline hormones, as everyone is already aware of, are due to the imbalance in hormones of your bodies. Higher levels of estrogen is basically what causes an imbalance and hence, the zits! You may want to consult your gynaecologist or dermatologist in order to get them controlled.