Face Vs. Body Acne - The Distinction
Anywhere it may be, a pimple is still a pimple, right? Actually, not quite. While there are certain common causes of both face and body acne that are similar, there are also significant distinctions between the two types of acne and the therapies that are frequently used to treat them. In the sections that follow, we detail how your face's skin, including acne, differs from that of your body as well as how to determine which products to use where.
Acne is commonly associated with the face, although it can appear anywhere on the body where there are hair follicles. Though body and facial acne are fundamentally the same, there are some important distinctions between the two and ways to cure both. Start by comprehending how they function if you're looking for a strategy to treat back and face acne.
Causes For Different Types of Acne
There are many different potential causes of acne. Breakouts are frequently caused by a variety of circumstances, which may include genetics, hormones, age, medications, skincare routine, stress, and diet. Not every person's skin will be affected by these things in the same way. For instance, some people discover that reducing their intake of dairy products or carbs will improve acne, but other people won't notice any alterations after making dietary modifications. Genetics is another factor that greatly affects acne. You can learn something about what to anticipate from your breakouts by looking at the locations, timing, and severity of your parents' acne when they were your age.
Facial Acne
Hormonal shifts are one of the most frequent causes of acne, particularly on the face. The body's hormone levels may fluctuate naturally or become out of balance, which can result in outbreaks or exacerbate any existing acne issues. Although it can endure well into adulthood, teens are more likely to experience this as they go through puberty. Many women get acne as a result of the hormonal changes brought on by menstruation, however, some birth control methods may mitigate this effect by balancing hormone levels. Spironolactone, a pill that was initially created as a blood pressure drug but is now given for acne because it lowers androgen hormones in the body, is another oral medication that regulates hormones for women with acne. Shifting hormonal balances may cause problems for women going through menopause or perimenopause. While it can also affect the temples, hormonal acne often only affects the bottom third of the face (the cheeks, jawline, chin, and neck). Those who suffer from hormonal acne will frequently notice a connection between flare-ups and the menstrual cycle.
Body Acne
The same factors - clogged pores and inflammation from overactive oil glands, an abundance of dead skin cells, and acne-causing bacteria - generally contribute to both facial and body acne. Because the chest and back contain more sebaceous glands than other body parts, the follicles in those areas are more likely to become clogged with extra sebum, trapping germs and dead skin cells and resulting in inflammation. Body acne, in particular, has a few unique causes to consider in addition to the usual ones. Skin irritation from clothing friction can irritate your pores and lead to breakouts. Since the start of the COVID-19 epidemic, there has been a new type of friction-based acne: maskne. This cause of acne is typically connected to the body.
Certain materials are more prone to result in body acne alongside friction. Synthetic textiles, including polyester or nylon, can exacerbate friction from clothing and result in outbreaks. Some people discover that particular laundry detergent brands irritate their skin and result in breakouts similar to acne. Changing clothing after a sweaty workout or as soon as you arrive home from a hot day outside will help prevent body acne since perspiration can provide the ideal habitat for acne-causing bacteria to flourish and reproduce. The fact that most people have separate skincare routines for their faces and bodies may be the cause of somebody's acne. If you frequently get acne on your body but not on your face, you might want to stop using any body lotions or soaps and treat the affected areas with the same items you use on your face.
Your Skin Varies From Head To Toe
Your skin has different thicknesses throughout your body, but your face has the thinnest and most fragile skin of all. An Austin-based, board-certified dermatologist says that the skin on the face is fundamentally different from the skin on the body. Face skin is often thinner than skin elsewhere on the body. Additionally, compared to the skin on the body, facial skin has a higher concentration of sweat, oil, and hair follicles. Even if the skin on the face is better protected and repaired than the skin on the body, these enlarged skin 'appendages' have an impact on how to choose and use different skin care products for these various skin types.
Acne Treatment Suggestions for the Face and Body
There are certain easy actions you can take to get rid of those pimples, no matter where they are located, even though the remedies you use to treat body and face acne may differ.
Maintain Cleanliness
Sweat or debris left on your top layer of the skin will soon find its way into the pores (and thus, the clogging begins). Before going to bed, always wash your face, remove any makeup, and try to take a shower as soon as possible. Towels, sports bras, and pillowcases should all be washed more regularly to help get rid of bacteria.
Adopt A Regular Body Care Regimen
You must commit to a regular body care routine if you want to effectively treat and prevent breakouts in the long run. With just 2 daily steps, Teenilicious makes taking care of your body simple:
You will soon appear cleaner and feel more confident if you add in a weekly exfoliation to reveal skin that appears healthy.
Don't Overlook Post-Pimple Treatment!
Redness, flakiness, and post-blemish bumps are frequently present after the pus has subsided, preventing you from regaining your pre-pimple radiance. But resist the urge to apply a strong spot treatment that can cause more harm than benefit. Your skin can feel soft, silky, and rejuvenated after using a skin soother packed with regenerating antioxidants and peptides.
Things To Watch Out For
In contrast to the products you would use to treat your bacne, chest acne, or buttne (yep, it's real), facial acne treatments should be considerably milder due to the sensitive nature of your skin. A body acne wash may be too drying and unpleasant to use on your face because it is made to treat and prevent breakouts on thicker skin. Another no-no is applying body lotion to the face because the heavy formulations don't soak well into the delicate facial skin, might clog pores, and eventually result in breakouts.
