Whenever we are talking about acne, everyone shares one thing in common: it is always an unpleasant experience! Some may experience minor breakouts occasionally, while others can count on breaking out as low as once a month. And some may have deep, cystic acne on a consistent basis.
Acne symptoms may also be regional and only appear in specific spots, like your forehead. If you struggle with breakouts above the brows, specifically, treating them is usually made far easier when you know what kinds of acne symptoms you’re dealing with, and why they pop up there. In this post, we will explore possible causes and how to treat them. But first, we should get our terminology right. These bumps are not actually acne, and these “things” on our forehead that we mistake for acne are actually called tiny bumps.
What Are These Tiny Bumps?
In general, tiny forehead bumps are not serious. However, it is still important for us to know what could cause them. Tiny bumps may be caused by the following:
- Comedones: Small spots known as blackheads and whiteheads. It happens when dead skin cells and oil, or sebum, block your pores and form bumps on your skin.
- Papules: If your pores become inflamed or irritated further, they can form larger bumps called papules. Papules are by far the most common acne symptom seen on the forehead.
- Pustules: These are red papules with pus on the top. Pustules are less frequent than comedones.
What Causes Tiny Bumps on Your Forehead?
No matter where they pop up, all skin conditions start the same way. It always involves follicular occlusion, bacteria or fungus in the follicle, oil or sebum accumulation in the clogged follicle, and inflammation. However, different skin areas may be worsened when there is increased contact with other things.
For instance, wearing hats, bandanas or headbands, and even touching your forehead a lot can manually occlude the forehead skin and cause forehead acne. The same goes for anyone who might hit the gym a lot, or enjoy activities that involve a helmet, like riding a bike. Therefore, this possibility is listed as one of the cause of tiny bumps on your forehead. The rest are:
- Excess oil production: Tiny bumps on forehead, like all acne symptoms, starts with excess oil produced by the sebaceous glands. The T-Zone (forehead, nose and chin) is a known area on our faces that has more oil glands. That’s why it tends to be oilier and more acne-prone. This extra oil, which is sent through the pores to protect and hydrate the skin, can sometimes become clogged on their way to the skin’s surface, creating a breeding ground for acne-causing bacteria.
- Food-grade oils: Using products such as coconut oil and olive oil on your scalp and hair can cause tiny bumps. Edible products such as these tend to increase the growth of microorganisms on the skin. If you can eat the product, bacteria and fungus can eat the product as well.
- Sweat: Sweating is good but only if it’s rinsed away ASAP, and not left to linger on top of pores. Sweating a lot increases oil in the follicles and the sweat not washed off soon after, it can make tiny bumps on forehead worse.
- Dead skin cells: Debris, like dead skin cells, contributes to acne-causing bacteria in clogged pores, which is why exfoliating is so crucial to proper skin health. Exfoliating the skin regularly with an exfoliating wash helps to unclog the pores.
Treat your Tiny Bumps with Adapalene A.K.A Differin
You probably know adapalene by the more common brand name Differin. Adapalene is a retinoid-like compound that is used to treat mild to moderate acne. So, Adapalene also works for those tiny bumps on your forehead. It is classified as a keratolytic, or, in simpler terms, a super exfoliator. It keeps dead skin cells and oil from plugging up your pores and helps prevent whiteheads, blackheads and acne from forming.
Therefore, it is can be used to treat those tiny bumps on your forehead. It also helps to reduce inflammation. Depending on what your dermatologist decides, you might use adapalene either once or twice a day. All you need is a pea-sized amount for the entire face. You may notice a slight stinging or burning after applying. This feeling is normal and will go away after a few minutes.
It’s important for you to know that adapalene works by stopping tiny bumps from forming under the skin's surface. Therefore, spot-treating existing tiny bumps won’t be effective. That is why it is suggested to be applied all over your face like a moisturizer.
Keep using adapalene, even if the acne seems to get worse when you first start using it. Try not to be frustrated because this is perfectly normal. It may take about 4 to 8 weeks before you notice an improvement.
In Conclusion..
Daily use of adapalene for the treatment of tiny bumps, white head, blackhead and acne shows promising positive results. It is safe, effective, and easy to use so there is no excuse to keep having those tiny bumps on your forehead anymore! Would you like to learn more? We are here to help! Skynfyx is a platform that provides completely free skincare education. Feel free to contact us if you have any inquiries concerning skincare.
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