Face Mapping - is it a Fad?
Do you ever wonder whether those breakouts that somehow always pop on the exact same spot on your face are due to factors other than forgetting to wash your face a couple days ago? Well, according to the concept of face mapping, different flare ups of acne in certain locations all have various causes.
Face mapping is the ability to see the reflection of the body's organs on each part of the face by observing the face's complexion — such as texture, dullness, and colour (and breakouts!). The history of face mapping dates back several thousands of years to the days of ancient Chinese medicine. And, although the concept has evolved over time, the core ideal remains the same: where you're breaking out is a reflection of what's going on in your body.
But, before you start obsessing over the location of your pimples, let some time pass before you consult a map of any kind. First of all, we need to make sure that any dark spots or acne aren't caused by lack of skincare routine or if the symptoms still occur after seven days of daily cleaning or treatment, then we can consider face mapping.
As always, you should keep up with a regular skincare routine but just keep in mind that some of those breakouts can be treated from the inside out.
Here's a breakdown of the different areas of the face and find out what your breakouts may be telling you.
What Each Area of the Face Tells Us
We've already established that having acne sucks big time, but when you are on your clear skin journey, recurring acne feels like a major set back. That is why it is important to use the tools that face mapping can provide to understand what the triggers are and why we need to stay away from them. So, let's take a look at the most common cystic acne breakout spots and what they mean.
Chin and Jawline
Many women, in particular, will deal with recurring cystic acne in this location because it is heavily linked to hormonal changes in the body. Whether it be our monthly friend, your period, or any other hormonally induced situation, like PCOS, endometriosis, or menopause, hormones can seriously affect our skin.
How does it work?
When hormones surge (like when our period comes), it can cause an overstimulation of the oil glands, which can lead to clogged pores and breakouts.
So, even though you cannot control your hormones, you can consult with your physician to examine anything that could affect them, like certain medications.
Another factor to look at is what you eat. Now before you get too nervous, a few simple changes are all you need! Take a look at your diet and see if cutting back on processed foods positively affects your breakouts.
So for those of you that are huge on happy-hour or having those late-night snacks, I suggest dialling it back just a little and opting for healthier alternatives.
What can you do?
Get your hormones checked for imbalances and speak with a physician about any methods that could help.
Eat Omega-3s, fresh fruits, and veggies. These can seriously support the health of your skin cells.
Check out my more informative post on skin-gut connection, you'll be fascinated how closely connected the system is.