Where does your pimple grow and what does it mean?

Acne and pimples are caused by a variety of factors ranging from oil buildup and clogged pores to hormonal imbalance and diet. However small they may be, these marks can leave huge scars to our self-confidence that can even affect our mental health, such as the ordeal Kyline Alcantara faced when she had a major acne breakout last 2018.

LOOK: Kyline Alcantara opens up about struggle with acne in self-love post

Unless you consult a dermatologist for it, pinpointing the causes for your acne can be quite difficult. However, by mapping out where your pimples frequently grow, you can at least get an idea as to what maybe the root of your acne breakout.

Here's a list of possible causes for your acne based on where they frequently appear:

Forehead

Frequent forehead acne can be traced to hair products and hair styles. According to the blog Curology.com, certain shampoo ingredients such as sodium lauryl sulfate and coconut oil can clog pores and lead to pimples.

Oily or waxy hair products on bangs may also be the cause of your forehead acne as stated by Dr. David Lortscher in his interview with Allure.

Meanwhile, Dr. Amanda Doyle said in her interview with Health.com that beauty product buildup also makes pimples grow along the edges of the face such as near the hairline.

Lastly, headgears such as headbands, caps, and hats may also carry acne-causing bacteria that can be transported to the forehead.

Cheeks

For most people, their cheeks are where they most commonly get their breakouts. One reason for this is how it's the one area of our face that comes into contact with various surfaces such as when we touch our cheeks, answer a phone call, "beso" our friends, or sleep on our sides.

Dr. Doyle also suggests that pimples on the cheeks are also linked to high sugar consumption so we may need to watch our sweets if we get one too many acne spots on our cheeks.

Nose

A lot of our sebaceous glands, glands which produce oil, are located on the nose which is why we tend to be a bit too shiny around that area. This is also why we often get blackheads and whiteheads on the nose which are essentially just pores clogged with oil and dead skin cells.

If left untreated, these blackheads and whiteheads have a chance to turn into pimples as stated by Biore.com. Just be mindful of the products you apply around the area so as to not clog the pores.

Chin and Jaw

Acne on the chin and jaw area can be a symptom of hormonal imbalance, specifically, an excess of the male hormone androgen like testosterone says Dr. Boyle. For women, this hormonal imbalance may be related to the days leading up to their period.

Shaving may also lead to acne around the chin and jaw according to Dr. Rachna Pande from The New Times Publications. Razor blades can irritate the skin giving rise to pimples or painful ingrown hairs which is why it is best to observe proper hygiene and form when shaving.

Lastly, according to Curology.com, pimples near the mouth region can also be caused by the toothpaste you use as it may contain harsh ingredients such as sulfates. Try using gentler formulas for toothpastes or thoroughly washing that area after every brush.

Overall, this list is just a guide to help give you an idea as to what may be causing your breakouts. If your acne persists for weeks, be sure to consult your dermatologist to get into the bottom of your problem.