Managing and treating chin acne including cystic one is hectic and tricky. Find out what causes them, treatments for adults including those from pregnancy, hormonal changes, and what you can do for acne pimples n your chin during pregnancy.
Acne on chin has various meaning as far as your hormones, growth factors and general health are concerned. Having breakouts chin, cheeks, jawline, or forehead can say so many things about your overall health. Let us begin by looking at some of the reasons why you have those chin zits or pimples.
Causes including the painful pimples
Why do I have acne on my chin? Can I get here before menopause or during pregnancy? What are some of the main reasons behind them, or how can you get chin acne?
Hormonal chin acne
This is one of the common causes in adults and teenagers. In women, an imbalance in hormones means that the androgen receptors become too sensitive. Under this situation, hormones are stimulated and excess oil (sebum) is produced. Since the skin is one of the major excretory organs, the excess oil is released through the skin pores in which the skin cells become sticky.
Bacteria can grow in the skin pores which leads to the formation of clogged pores and pimples on chin, and that is how hormonal ones develop.
Hormonal acne pimples tends to get deeper into the skin thus very painful to touch. Facial areas are affected most including areas around chin, along the jawline and mouth as well as other areas such as chest, shoulders and the back.
Acne on chin due to hormonal imbalance is common in men and women at menopause as well.
Bacteria and poor hygiene
How do bacteria lead to acne on chin? A few circumstances can help explain how bacteria may cause chin on acne and jawline.
Most bacteria thrive in dirty conditions and surrounding. It is important to note that there exists free living strains of bacteria some of which cause infections. One of the reasons why you keep getting acne and pimples on the chin is what you handle more often and how you do it. These include careless sharing and handling of devices such as mobile phones, hand instruments, facial makeup and other beauty products such as lip balms with contaminated hands.
The next reason is when you are fond of touching your chin with dirty hands after getting into contact with these devices and instruments mentioned above.
After doing body workouts, dirt may also accumulate all over your face and other body parts. Debris from sweat composed of worn-out cells and dead skin layers end up getting into skin pores leading to clogged sweat pores altogether. All these conditions create more favorable for bacteria to thrive, multiply causing acne pimples.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, PCOS
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is a hormone disorder known to affect women. In fact, PCOS “interferes with the growth and release of eggs from the ovaries” [webmd.com].
This disorder occurs when a female’s productive system produces excessive androgens (which are sex hormones) and this is attributed to hormonal imbalance that can result to acne including those on the chin.
A clear indication of this syndrome is when you miss periods. Other symptoms are abnormal hair growths especially on the face and weight gain. It can also lead to infertility in women because of failure to release of ovules by the ovary.
Dairy diets can cause hard painful bumps
Certain diets can lead to formation of acne-related pimples on the chin and jawline. Individuals who are lactose intolerant are most affected especially after they have taken dairy products such as yoghurt, skimmed milk and others.
Stress
According to Ava Shamban, M.D, stress can trigger breakout in adults. It has also been reported that patients with acne from hormonal changes and who live with stress may worsen it. During pregnancy, women can get high levels of a stress hormone referred to as cortisol.
Cortisol will increase secretion of sebum and thus chances of getting acne i.e. “according to Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD, Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), “cortisol increases the production of sebum, a natural oil that lubricates your skin. When too much is produced, however, it can lead to blockages that cause acne”
Smoking
Smoking is another way through which acne can result. The Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology through its studies shows that grownups can increase the possibility of acne if they are smokers. Acne from smoking can present itself as whiteheads or blackheads more so in women.
During Pregnancy
Are chin acne and pregnancy related? Many women could experience an outbreak of excessive during their pregnancy. There a few things to learn as far as changes in hormones are concerned. Is it true women can get them while pregnant? Yes.
Normally, ovaries in females release more hormones during normal menstrual cycles and even when they have entered early pregnancy (first trimester). This periods is marked by increased release of hormones (mainly progesterone). Consequently, the oil glands are stimulated to produce more sebum or natural body oil.
Now, women with history of acne (esp. during the menstrual cycle) tend to be at a greater risk of having acne during pregnancy. Good enough, some women who do not “develop acne during the first trimester, unlikely have breakouts” [webmd.com]
With increasing risks, acne in pregnant women is considered natural and therefore expected to go away on its own after hormone concentration returns to normal. Meanwhile, pregnant women should continue going for tests, avoid the use of unsafe treatments for controlling acne whether the outbreak is mild or severe.
How to cure or to get rid them
Can I get rid of chin acne? What cures or treatments can I opt for? In general, treatment for mild breakouts may involve the use of topical cream products. Serious breakouts might need other treatments. Learn more on to get rid of hormonal acne using treatments, therapy and birth control pills.
Topical cures prescription antibiotics and creams
The first category of treatment involves use of topical antibiotics. Antibiotics will greatly help in fighting bacteria. Two approaches are available here. If you have a mild acne case then go for over the counter antibiotic medicines. However, be sure of your current health condition or ask your health care provider what antibiotics can work best for you.
The other treatment is to seek medical care so that you get prescription antibiotics. Antibiotics can be administered orally. Examples of oral antibiotics are:
- Cotrimoxazole such as Deprim,
- Dxycycline, limecyclines, monocyclines,
- Tetacyclines,
Use of prescription antibiotics may have side effects such as getting a dry skin. If that is the case ask your doctor to advise you on appropriate moisturisers to apply.
If you have blackheads or whiteheads around your chin you may need creams to apply. Creams also from the larger part of topical treatments. Examples are drugs that contain active retinoid ingredients such as Retin-A, Aczone, Accutane, Differin, etc.
NOTE: Accutane is not appropriate for women during pregnancy because it can come with side effects after its use.
Hormonal acne treatments
The following are methods used in treating acne sparked by hormones around the chin or on any other part of the body.
Anti-androgen therapy medicines and drugs
This is a therapy for women to counteract the effect of male sex hormones such as testosterone. In this treatment procedure that uses medicines, there are a number of mechanisms that help counter the effects of male androgens which include:
- A reduced ovarian androgen or adrenal androgen being produced under effects of male hormones,
- Reducing resistance to insulin,
- Blocking the androgen receptors.
Examples of drugs used in this therapy and reducing production of ovarian androgen include: Buserelin and Leuprolide that can suppress the ovaries from producing androgens.
Oral contraceptives (birth control pills)
Most oral contraceptives have anti-androgenic qualities making them a quite useful in treating acne. Also known as control pills, birth control pills for purposes of treating acne pimples must contain both estrogen (oestrogen) and progesterone to effectively combat it in adults in menopause. According to WebMD, a dose consisting of only oestrogen will more likely make them worse, for instance.
Examples of FDA approved pills in treating acne that uses both forms of estrogen and progestin include: Ortho Tri-Cyclen and Estrostep. Others are Yasmin and Alesse.
Cystic chin acne – causes and treatments
Cystic acne are bumps or pimples that develop on the same spots characterized by red and swollen clogged pores. When these bumps are infected with microorganisms like bacteria they dig deeper into the skin dermal layer and become tender bumps. Cystic acne is more common in men but women are not exception.
Some of the causes of cystic acne include hormones (androgens in men). In women similarly, menstruation cycles, menopause or polycystic ovary syndrome are some of the major causes linked to this type.
Cystic Chin treatment
As we have seen cysts may also share common symptoms such as pores getting clogged and becoming swollen. We shall not delve it treatments but rather mention them randomly.
- Antibiotics: Some of the antibiotics that we have discussed can be used to get rid of the cysts on chin.
- Use of pills: Women should take these pills prescribed by dermatologists and doctors to regulate hormones that lead to pimple formation.
- Creams, lotions and gels: If the other cyst acne treatment cannot work for you, visit your nearest dermatologist to give you the right prescription creams to use and tackle them.
If the cysts on chin don’t respond to the above treatment as in the case of severe cystic acne, then you need an advanced cures.
Best treatment including for scars
There are two major acne types: mild and severe acne. On condition that them is a mild one, oral topical antibiotics, creams and drugs can produce quite successful results. In particular, the category of drugs that have retinoid can work best. On the other hand, if the case is severe, best treatment for chin acne is isotretinoin. Unfortunately, drug isotretinoin must be avoided by women who have already conceived or are planning to get pregnant.
Getting rid of resultant acne scars.
Is acne giving you a hard time to come to terms with the reality even after treatments? You should consider to exfoliate using low concentrations of salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide and get rid of acne scars or spots and clear them fast. Whenever you are cleansing use soap-free or non codemogenic skincare products such as lotions and moisturizers.
There are many other products which are good for getting rid of these scars that result after treating your them which include creams, laser treatments, dermabrassion, etc.
Best treatments for hormonal and pregnancy ones
If you need to get rid of thoee from hormonal influence, go for anti-androgen therapy. Use of pills are quite effective because they are approved. Another oral contraceptives have also formed a successful part of acne treatment in women. Before you decide to go for the treatments, let your professional or doctor determine whether they are cystic acne.
Next, you need to gently exfoliate. Sonya Dakar clinic points out to use a gentle scrub for at least two times a week. For best outcome, avoid the sun because it aggravates the pimples on your face especially if they are cystic pimples. By staying away from sun you ensure that you have no zits.
According to WebMD, some treatments are unsafe during pregnancy, in that they may result in birth defects. They include hormone therapy, oral tetracycline and topical retinoid cream products.
How to prevent them
Preventing acne from occurring means nothing but super control of breakouts on face, on chin and other liable parts are well taken care of. Read useful and simple tips on how to prevent acne.
Use a mild cleanser
Cleansing will also help you to prevent chin acne despite it being a treatment method. The reason as to why you need a mild cleanser is due to the fact that areas surrounding your chin (jawline and upper neck) are skinny thus very sensitive to medicine reactions. While cleaning maintain it at twice-a-day regularly until it is cleared.
Depending on what you have to be offered with here are examples of cleansers.
- Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser,
- Origins Zero Oil Deep Pore Cleanser,
Women are highly encouraged to use oil-free and non-alcoholic cleansers as part of their safe treatments.
Try living stress-free or reduce stress
Even if you already have had acne breakout on your chin do not panic. You can prevent it too. Control your emotions by getting involved in a number of both physical and psychological activities. Engage yourself in at least a 20 minute workout such as cycling to light up or stimulate your enzymes. You need to reduce cortisol which is leading to appearance of pimples on chin. Above all get enough sleeping time as it is another crucial way to reduce stress.
Eliminate dairies and high glycemic foods
Secondly, put dietary regulations and check on your diet and avoid starchy and sugary foods as much as possible. Consumption of too much starch such as sweet bread, chocolate and cakes elevates the level of insulin. High levels of this hormone increases chances of chin acne breakouts in both men and women according to a study by the University Of Miami Miller School Of Medicine.
You should also avoid dairy products as we have seen they can cause pimples on your chin and also on your face.
Go for hormonal testing and acne checkups
Having looked at hormonal changes as amongst causes of acne, women need to be very cautious of periods. It is thus vital to visit health clinics if breakout comes shortly before having periods.
Improve on personal hygiene
One of the best ways to avoid repeated occurrences of chin acne is to immediately wash and cleanse your body after vigorous activities like workouts and exercises.
Secondly, make sure to regularly wipe using cleansers your hand devices or instruments that you love holding. Instead, a better alternative for this to place ear buds to avoid your cellphone making direct contact with your cheeks, ears and hair.
Apply facial moisturizers
Besides cleaning don’t forget to moisturize and prevent your lower face from drying out. Check on the ingredients of the moisturizers you need when tackling acne on chin or cheeks. For good results apply non-comedogenic and oil-free moisturizers. Again use facial washcloth that must not be shared with anyone.
Make proper selections of makeups, moisturizers and lotions
While shopping your new pack of moisturizers, makeup and other facial beauty products, avoid lotions with heavy oils. Go for those labelled as non-comedogenic. However, remember that essential oils are essential part of healthy skin and growth.
Conclusions
While you are trying everything to get rid of acne, it is advisable to avoid touching, picking or squeezing the pimples whether they are cystic or from the causes that you have learned. Equally, observe and always maintain high personal hygiene, stop smoking especially when you are under treatment or pregnant. Do not try any treatments if you are not sure at all but see your doctor.