What’s the Deal with Forehead Acne?

While acne and pimples can occur on nearly every part of your body, many notice this skin problem on their forehead. If this is the same for you, it is likely that you may see small red bumps (papules) or bumps with white or yellowish pus (pustules) on your forehead.  

In this post, we explain why you have forehead acne and how you can treat/prevent it. 

Causes of forehead acne

Regardless of where acne develops, the main cause or contributor is when pores or sebaceous glands get clogged. Oil or sebum usually lubricates the skin but too much of it, along with bacteria and dead skin cells can block the pores. This can result in inflammation in the glands, causing it to form a pimple under the skin.

A number of factors can increase sebum production, which will then raise your likelihood of developing acne. These include:

• Hormonal fluctuations – this is common during puberty and before menstrual cycle in women.
• Certain medications – these include lithium, barbiturates, anticonvulsants, and certain steroids.
• Stress – there is an association between stress and acne.
• Skin irritation – makeup on the forehead and certain clothing/accessories like hats can irritate the skin and trigger forehead acne. The same is also true for constantly touching your face.
• Hair products – certain styling products like gels, waxes, oils, and pomades can trigger breakouts.

Treating forehead acne

Good skin care regimen can help with treating or preventing pimples on your forehead. This means using a gentle cleanser to wash your face twice a day and after a sweat session. Over-the-counter (OTC) skin care products with active ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide can also help.

Do take note that the way these treatments work varies from person to person. It will also take several weeks or months for your symptoms to improve. It is also common to experience side effects like skin irritation or purging of the skin in the first few weeks of using the medication. 

There are also cases where you’ll need prescription strength medication, especially if you have severe acne. A consultation with a skin or aesthetic doctor is much more recommended instead of trying different acne medications all at once. 

Aesthetic treatments for acne

When medications don’t seem to improve your acne, a skin doctor may recommend aesthetic treatments. Here at Cutis Laser Clinics in Singapore, we have several acne treatment options that can help improve your skin. These include:

• Clarifying Facial with Sapphire – This medical-grade facial features the Sapphire Blue Light Therapy. This can help minimize pores, kill acne-causing bacteria, and clear inflammation.
• Cutis Anti-Acne Peel – This contains a high yet safe concentration of salicylic acid to unclog the pores and kill acne-causing bacteria. It can help mild to moderate acne vulgaris on the face, neck, and back.
• VI Peel – This stronger type of chemical peel can help clear acne conditions and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It can also address acne scars, age spots, and hyperpigmentation.
• Laser Genesis Skin Therapy – This laser procedure heats the skin deeper layers to boost collagen formation. It can treat enlarged pores, skin redness uneven skin texture, and fine lines. This can also be combined with chemical peel to fight acne.

Preventing acne on your forehead and face

Apart from washing your face twice a day, the following tips can prevent acne on your forehead and other parts of the face:

• Wash your hair often, especially if it is oily or greasy.
• Avoid wearing tight headbands or hats and other accessories that touch your forehead.
• Avoid the use of hair oils, pomades, gels, and waxes.
• Keep your hands away from your face.
• Avoid scrubbing or deep cleansing your face.
• Remove makeup at night.
• Avoid overexposure to the sun.
• Use makeup and other skin care products labeled “noncomedogenic”.
• If you have bangs, pull them away from your skin. Bangs can cause acne on your forehead, especially if you use styling products.

Schedule a consultation today

If you’re struggling with acne on your forehead and other parts of the face, don’t hesitate to consider expert help. Contact Cutis Laser Clinics in Singapore today and schedule a consultation with our Harvard-trained aesthetic doctor, Dr. Sylvia Ramirez.