People can develop forehead acne and pimples when tiny glands below the skin surface become blocked. Factors that can contribute to the forehead breaking out include hormonal changes, stress, and medication use.
Acne does not pose any serious health risks, but people may think that it appears unattractive, and it can cause discomfort.
In this article, we look at what causes acne and pimples to develop on the forehead, and how they can be treated and prevented.
Acne is a chronic skin condition that can lead to the following lesions:
Acne can develop anywhere on a person’s body, but is particularly frequentTrusted Source on the face, shoulders, back, and chest. A person may notice the appearance of acne when tiny glands just below the surface of the skin become blocked.
These glands, known as sebaceous glands, produce an oily substance called sebum. They can become blocked by too much sebum, dead skin cells, or bacteria. When this happens, the glands may become inflamed, and a pimple can develop.
Certain factors can increase the amount of sebum that is produced by the sebaceous glands. This sebum increases the likelihood of acne and pimples developing. Factors include:
Treatment will vary depending on the severity of the acne outbreak. Most people can treat their acne with over-the-counter (OTC) medications.
A wide variety of gels, soaps, lotions, and creams are available to treat acne. These products usually containTrusted Source one or more of the following active ingredients:
How well these treatments work can varyTrusted Source between individuals, so trial and error may be necessary to determine what is best. People with sensitive skin may benefit from sticking to creams or lotions.
A person’s symptoms may take several weeks to clear up entirely. It is also common for some people to have mild side effects, such as skin irritation, in the early stages of treatment.
For people with more severe acne, prescription medication may be necessary. These can include oral medications and gels or creams that a person can apply directly to their forehead.
Prescription medications for acne may include:
People with acne should avoid popping their pimples as this increases the risk of scarring and infection. Treatments for acne scarring and acne that does not respond to other treatments include:
People can also use home remedies alongside medication, or for very mild cases of acne on the forehead.
An example of a home remedy is to apply a warm compress to the forehead twice daily, which can help remove excess sebum and improve recovery.
Other home remedies that people with acne on the forehead can try include:
People can also combine the following ingredients to make a face mask that they can leave on overnight:
However, people should make sure to conduct patch tests for anything they are going to apply to their skin and speak with a doctor before taking any supplements.
Maintaining a good standard of personal hygiene is the best way for someone to prevent acne on the forehead. While some pimples may be inevitable, especially during puberty, washing regularlyTrusted Source will help to minimize the risk of a significant outbreak occurring.
Other acne prevention tips include:
Factors that contribute to adult acne include hormonal changes, stress, underlying medical conditions, certain hair or skincare products, and certain medications.
Stress is one possible factor that may worsenTrusted Source acne. However, multiple factors can contribute to acne flare-ups.
Researchers are still investigating the affects of dietary habits on acne. However, an older review from 2006Trusted Source highlights that vitamins A and D play an important role in skin health. Other nutrients that may contribute to skin health include zinc, copper, and iron.
Natural remedies for acne may include aloe vera, tea tree oil, and apple cider vinegar. However, there is no substantial scientific evidence to support these remedies and a person should conduct a patch test before using them.
Treatments for acne primarily includeTrusted Source medications, which may be OTC or prescription.
It is not unusual for people to have acne on the forehead, especially when someone is going through puberty. Stress, certain hair and skincare products, and environmental factors can all make a person’s acne worse.
People with milder acne can often treat their symptoms at home with a variety of OTC gels, soaps, lotions, and creams. Someone with more severe acne should speak to their doctor, who will be able to prescribe stronger and more effective medications if they feel it might be necessary.
Many treatments may help remove small bumps on the forehead, depending on the cause. These may include over-the-counter (OTC) creams and lotions, prescription treatments, and cosmetic procedures.
There are many reasons for small bumps on the forehead. Although a person may not like the way they look or feel, they are often harmless.
People often associate forehead bumps with acne. However, there are several causes, such as milia, contact dermatitis, and folliculitis.
This article explores common causes of small bumps on the forehead. We will also look at the potential home and medical treatments, and when a person should speak with a doctor.
Small bumps on the forehead can vary in appearance depending on their cause. They might be white or red and soft or firm. People of color may experience dark spots or patches called hyperpigmentation.
These bumps may occur exclusively on the forehead, or they may also present on other body areas.
In some people, the bumps may:
There are several causes of forehead bumps, including:
Milia, also known as milk spots, are small, pimple-like cysts that occur when dead skin cells build up underneath the skin. They tend toTrusted Source develop in clusters on the face, usually around the eyes, but they can also appear on the forehead.
They are typically:
In some people, milia can develop for no reason. With others, injury, blistering, or burning might cause them. They also tend to be common in newborns.
Acne can cause spots and bumps anywhere on the body, including the forehead. It occurs when dead skin cells mix with the skin’s natural oils and clog pores.
Acne bumps may look like small whiteheads, blackheads, or larger cysts. There might be a few individual bumps, or they may appear in a cluster.
Folliculitis is a skin infection that occurs when damaged hair follicles allow bacteria to get into the skin. A person can then develop an infection on most areas of the skin, including the forehead.
These spots will usually look like acne and may have red rings around them. They may also be itchy or tender. In people of color, the skin may look purple, gray, or hyperpigmented.
Contact dermatitis occurs when the skin comes into contact with an irritating substance. This substance may damage the skin cells or trigger an allergic reaction.
This condition can cause light skin to become red or swollen, and small, red bumps and spots may appear. In darker skin, contact dermatitis can present as dark brown, purple, or gray. These spots may burn or itch.
Common causes of contact dermatitis on the face include certain types of skin care products. Medicines that people apply directly to the skin could also trigger a reaction.
Milia are usually harmless and may improveTrusted Source without treatment, although it may take several weeks.
Some OTC creams and lotions may help mild or moderate acne. Ingredients to look out for include:
Retinoids are a vitamin A treatment that helps skin cells grow and repair. Some creams, gels, and liquid skin care products contain retinoids.
Sometimes, products containing retinoids may cause side effects such as dryness, redness, and itching.
Salicylic acid may reduce swelling and redness and help unblock pores. However, it may take several weeks to work.
Some people using salicylic acid may experience side effects such asTrusted Source skin irritation or stinging.
Azelaic acid is a chemical that may reduce swelling and redness. However, it can sometimes change skin color in people with dark complexions.
Possible side effects of azelaic acid include:
If milia does not improve, dermatologists may recommendTrusted Source a type of retinoid cream known as tretinoin, which is available as a prescription medicine. However, it is not suitable for use during pregnancy.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), doctors may also recommend prescription-strength retinoids or other acne treatments in severe cases. Other options might include antibiotics or steroid injections.
Oral contraceptives may help people with acne during their menstrual cycle.
Doctors may also recommend a steroid cream for contact dermatitis. In more severe cases, they may prescribe a short course of steroid tablets or injections.
The following cosmetic procedures are available to treat forehead bumps. However, they are not suitable for pregnant people.
Sometimes, if milia does not improve, dermatologists might suggest cryotherapy. This technique is used to freeze and remove certain types of skin growths by destroying the abnormal cells through freezing.
People with severe acne sometimes undergo photodynamic therapy, which uses light to destroy damaged skin cells. Doctors usually recommend this procedure for skin cancer, and it can take anything from 30 minutes to 18 hours.
Possible side effects of photodynamic therapy include:
Most people will experience dryness and sunburn in the affected area following treatment. However, OTC medications may help alleviate the pain. Doctors advise people to stay out of the sun for 24–48 hours after photodynamic therapy.
Chemical peels are another option for acne. The procedure involves a dermatologist using a chemical solution to remove the top layers of skin.
People with light skin undergoing this procedure will usually have some redness afterward. Meanwhile, people of color may experience temporary darkening of the skin. Doctors advise people to stay out of the sun for a few days or weeks after a chemical peel.
Folliculitis usually gets better without treatment. However, applying a warm compress for 15–20 minutes, three to four times a day, may ease symptoms.
Sometimes, shaving, plucking, or waxing can cause folliculitis. In this case, experts recommend avoiding such activities for at least 30 days.
There are simple steps for people to help stop acne from getting worse or returning.
They can keep the skin clean to ensure pores do not become blocked.
The AAD also recommends washing and moisturizing every day after waking up, before going to bed, and after sweating, which eliminates dead skin cells that contribute to acne.
Most small forehead bumps, including milia, acne, and folliculitis, will go away without treatment. However, their symptoms may sometimes cause discomfort.
People should speak with a doctor if symptoms interfere with their everyday life.
A person should seek emergency medical care if a procedure or medical treatment triggers symptoms, such as:
Below are some commonly asked questions about small bumps on the forehead.
The treatment for small, raised bumps on the forehead will depend on the underlying cause.
For example, a doctor might recommend retinoids to get rid of acne, while contact dermatitis can be treated with a steroid cream.
Aside from acne, small bumps on a person’s face might point to:
Various skin conditions may cause small bumps on the forehead. However, these bumps are usually harmless.
Maintaining healthy skin may help avoid many of the causes of forehead bumps. OTC and prescription medications and cosmetic procedures are available if these bumps do not improve without treatment.
If a person has concerns about their skin bumps or any related symptoms, they should speak with a doctor.
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