Acne breakouts are troubling anywhere they decide to pop up, but they can be very uncomfortable when located on your chin. Whenever you rest your chin in your hand to ponder something, you'll be reminded of your acne with pain, or you may even accidentally pop a pimple, which adds a layer of embarrassment to the situation. Thankfully, you can treat chin acne with straightforward means once you have a clear idea of what's causing your breakouts.
Chin Acne
Chin acne is most often just like that which shows up on any other part of your face or body. In mild forms, it will be just blackheads and whiteheads. But severe acne can be much more inhibitive on your lifestyle and appear as large pustules (inflamed whiteheads), nodules or cysts.
Causes
Acne on the chin usually appears for the same reasons that acne appears on any other part of your face. Hormonal fluctuations from puberty and the menstrual cycle often produce blemishes due to too much oil production. Leaning on your hands, touching your face or using an irritating soap can also lead to breakouts. Wearing clothing or gear like a chin strap that will rub against your chin is also a prime cause of chin blemishes.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
For some, the cause of their chin acne isn't as straightforward as hormones or simply having oily skin. In some cases, it's caused by polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS, which occurs when cysts develop on the ovaries and cause increased testosterone levels. Common symptoms of this condition include an irregular menstrual cycle, facial hair and acne along the chin and jaw. Should you notice a combination of these symptoms, you should consult with your doctor immediately.
Prevention
Sometimes, chin acne can be prevented just by changing your habits. For instance, don't lean on your hands when thinking or sitting around. Don't wear abrasive clothing or scarves that rub your chin, and make sure helmet chinstraps are equipped with replaceable padding.
Treatments
For the most part, you can treat chin acne just like you would acne on the rest of your face. Use a cleanser that contains benzoyl peroxide, exfoliate a few times a week with a toner or scrub, and use an oil-free moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated. If this doesn't work, see a dermatologist for help. She can prescribe topical or oral treatments to eliminate your chin acne. Topical treatments include antibiotics, which kill surface bacteria and topical retinoids, which open clogged pores. For very severe chin acne, oral antibiotics or even Accutane may be prescribed to shrink your oil glands and prevent your acne from coming back.
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