Acne, a skin condition, affects about 85% of people at some point in their lives. The condition produces not only pimples, but also blackheads, whiteheads, and cysts. Moreover, it can occur on the face, forehead, chest, back, and other parts of the body.

In this article, we would be focusing on the causes of forehead and back pimples.

Causes of Forehead Pimples

1. Oily Skin

A primary cause of pimples on the forehead is oily skin. The forehead, as well as the rest of the face, contains sebaceous glands that produce sebum, an oily substance that coats the skin.

When a person produces too much sebum, he/she is likely to develop acne through the clogging and inflammation of hair follicles. Moreover, touching the forehead with oily hands can transfer the oil and dirt into the hair follicles.

2. Hormonal Imbalance

The hormonal imbalance, particularly during puberty, pregnancy, and menstruation, can trigger pimples on the forehead.

The hormone stimulant testosterone, which is present in both males and females, increases during puberty and triggers the glands to produce more oil, leading to acne development.

3. Stress

Long-term stress can result in the production of cortisol, which, in turn, stimulates the production of oil glands, leading to acne development.

Besides, high levels of stress can cause people to touch and scratch their foreheads, thereby increasing the chances of acne development.

4. Hair Products

Hair products, especially hairstyling creams and gels, can cause blockage in the follicles on the forehead, leading to acne development.

In most cases, oily hair products tend to lubricate the forehead, making it easy for bacteria to become trapped, resulting in acne breakouts.

Causes of Back Pimples

1. Poor Hygiene

If you don’t shower well, particularly after sweating, the skin pores can become clogged, resulting in acne.

Moreover, wearing dirty clothing and sleeping with dirty bed sheets can cause bacteria to build up, leading to the clogging of hair follicles and acne development.

2. Pressure and Friction

Backpacks, tight clothing, and other tight-fitting clothing items cause pressure and friction on the skin, leading to acne development.

Moreover, taking part in activities that involve resting on the back, such as yoga, can cause bacteria to build up and clog pores, leading to back acne development.

3. Hormonal Fluctuations

The fluctuations of hormones during puberty hormone therapy, and periods can cause the sebaceous glands to overproduce oil, leading to clogging of pores and acne development.

4. Medications

Some medications, such as antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and steroid hormones, can lead to back acne development. These medications alter the behavior of the body’s sebaceous glands, causing the production of excess oil, leading to acne development.

Conclusion

Forehead and back acne breakouts can cause significant discomfort and distress for people, particularly during their teenage years. Understanding the causes of these breakouts is key to developing effective treatment and preventive measures.

In most cases, good hygiene practices and avoidance of unclean clothing can reduce acne breakouts. Moreover, treating stress-induced acne cases and undergoing hormone therapy can be beneficial for people dealing with acne breakouts due to hormonal shifts.

In severe cases, it is best to consult a dermatologist to determine the cause of the acne and find the appropriate treatment.