Reason why you keep getting spots on your chin as doctor explains difference to other body parts
Spots, pimples and blackheads are the kinds of things than most teens hope they'll one day grow out of.
Tragically, however, countless grown-ups all over the world still suffer with adult acne long after they've left puberty, with many claiming that breakouts on their chin and jaw area being the hardest to get rid of.
It turns out, however, that there's actual a key difference between these particular types of blemishes, and those which appear on other areas of the body, such as your cheeks, back or forehead).
What makes chin and jawline spots SO frustrating?
It's firstly important to emphasise that, if you're currently in the midst of an agonising chin acne attack, it very likely isn't your fault.
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According to most dermatologists, there are only a handful of day-to-day practices you can do to prevent spots appearing in this area, with examples including washing your face after brushing your teeth, and changing your pillowcase more regularly.
As we say, though, there is a difference between these types of blemishes and those that appear elsewhere, and often, you only have to look in the mirror to see it for yourself.
Marisa Garshick MD - a dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology and clinical assistant professor at Cornell University - explains: "Blemishes on the chin and jawline area, compared to other parts of the body, are typically characterised by inflammation.
"[This] makes them appear as papules and pustules instead of smaller, less-inflamed clogged pores," she continued.
The skincare specialist also went on to emphasise that there isn't one exact trigger for chin acne, and that in a lot of cases, it's a combination of biological, environmental and cosmetic factors, including...
Stress
It's hardly a surprise anymore that stress affects our bodies in more ways than it may appear from the outside - including our skin.
When we're suffering anxiety, the body releases cortisol, which can increase inflammation and make your skin more sensitive.
"When you’re under stress, your sebaceous glands also produce more oil, which can clog your pores and contribute to whiteheads, blackheads, or other signs of congestion,” Dr. Weinstein Velez previously explained in a medical journal.
Other hormone fluctuations
It isn't just cortisol that can trigger a chin breakout, as many more of your hormones can actually fluctuate at any age - not just your teen years.
Monthly menstrual cycles can also affect hormones - including estrogen, androgens, progesterone or insulin - in the same way that the menopause can.
Swings in these chemicals can spark excess sebum - a thick, oily substance made of fatty acids - which is released from sebaceous all over our faces.
Whilst this sebum can be helpful in protecting the skin, too much of it can clog your pores, triggering a breakout.
PCOS
A side affect of a polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) diagnosis could be the production of one too many androgens - a sex hormone that works in a similar way to testosterone - which can prompt a breakout, likely on your chin.
You'll immediately spot the difference between these types of blemishes, however, as they'll appear like cysts under your skin, which typically flare up during your period.
You can visit your GP to discuss extra hormone-balancing medication in order to treat PCOS-induced acne.
Face masks
While you might not think there's anything more relaxing than an at-home spa night - wrapping up in a dressing gown and whacking a face mask on - these cosmetic accessories have been found to have a direct link with chin and jaw spots.
Dr Garshick explains: "Mask wearing can cause acne mechanica, a specific type of acne in which repeated friction and physical obstruction of the hair follicle leads to clogged pores."
On top of this, the sweaty conditions which brew underneath these masks can form a hot bed of bacteria, perfect to grow a load of new spots.
Our advice? Give 'em a miss altogether.
Rhianna Benson