Just in case you are wondering what on earth acne on chin actually is, here is a short explanation.

Acne is a skin condition that occurs due to the overproduction of oil by the oil glands of the skin. The oil that normally lubricates the skin gets trapped in blocked oil ducts. This results in what we know as pimples, blackheads and whiteheads (or acne on chin for me and you) on the surface of the skin. Sometimes it also includes deeper skin lesions that are called cysts. (Gosh they’re painful!)

Acne affects most teenagers to some extent. (Me for one.) However, the disease is not restricted to any age group. As adults in their 20s or even into their 40s can get adult acne.

While not a life threatening condition, acne can be upsetting and disfiguring.

When severe, acne can lead to serious and permanent acne scarring.  Even less severe cases can lead to scarring. (Yikes, but don’t worry. In my experience it can go, or at least significantly fade).

Whitehead

When the trapped sebum and bacteria stay below the skin surface, a whitehead is formed. Whiteheads may only show up as small white spots, but they can be so tiny that they are invisible to the naked eye.

Blackhead

A blackhead occurs when the pore opens to the surface, and the sebum, which contains the skin pigment melanin, oxidizes and turns a brown/black color. It is not dirt and cannot be washed away. Blackheads can last for a long time because the contents very slowly drain to the surface.

Pa pule

This occurs when there is a break in the follicular wall. White blood cells then rush in and the pore becomes inflamed.

Pustule

This is what people usually refer to as a “zit” or a “pimple”.  A pustule forms several days later when white blood cells make their way to the surface of the skin. These are most commonly found in foreheads or in chin acne.

Nodule

When a follicle breaks along the bottom, total collapse can occur, causing a large, inflamed bump that can be sore to the touch. (I had a couple of these when I was severely suffering form acne on chin. I totally empathises with you if you have ever experience them. It is a seriously painful acne to have).

Cyst

Sometimes a severe inflammatory reaction can result in very large pus filled lesions. Iv’e suffered these more than I care to admit. I was prone to having them on my back by I did have the occasional one or two amongst my chin acne…Ouch)

Millia

Milia are tiny white bumps that occur when normally sloughed skin cells get trapped in small pockets on the surface of the skin. Although they are perhaps most commonly seen in newborns, particularly across the nose and cheeks. But they can also be seen on adult skin. In newborns, the bumps usually disappear within the first few weeks of life. However, for adults milia may persist indefinitely.

Treatment is usually not indicated in children. Adults can have them removed by a physician for cosmetic improvement.

Reasons why you my have acne on chin.

• Medications:

Some medications such as some cortisone’s, anti-tuberculosis drugs and anti-epileptic drugs can cause acne on chin area. If you get acne after taking a medicine, consult your doctor.

• Food:

If you find that a food makes your spots worse, then Stop eating that food! Some people feel that they get facial acne due to milk intake. Until now conclusive relation has been established between acne and food. Avoid food that you suspect may be causing acne or making it worse.

• Washing:

Frequent washing of the acne-affected skin does not help. Instead, it adversely affects acne. Washing twice a day is enough. Contrary to popular belief, dirt does not cause acne on chin. The black color of blackheads is due to oxidized sebum.

• Vitamin A:

Vitamin A does not treat chin acne. If you take excessive vitamin A, you may get adverse side effects. Retinoids (derivatives of vitamin A) are used topically and orally to treat acne.

• Hereditary:

Acne can be hereditary. If your parents had Body acne or acne on chin then you may be more prone to it.

• Hormonal Changes:

Hormonal changes bring on acne. Androgen hormones are responsible for excess production of sebum in both men and women. Women can have server chin acne outbreaks during menstruation and pregnancy when rapid changes occur in hormones.