Your eyebrows are located in a space filled with oil glands and hair follicles that can become clogged with bacteria and dirt. Yes, pimples on the brows can appear at any time due to clogged pores, bacteria, excess sebum production, or underlying health issues. Consult your dermatologist if prescription medications, over-the-counter lotions, and home remedies fail to work on those pimples. This article will teach you everything you need to know about eyebrow acne, including what causes acne between the brows, how to treat it, how to prevent it, when to see a dermatologist, and everything else in between. Keep reading to know more!
Whiteheads
A whitehead is characterized by a closed white bump on the skin. It forms when a pore or hair follicle gets clogged with dirt, oil, dead skin, or other debris.
Blackheads
Blackheads are open, black-colored bumps on the skin surface. This mild type of acne occurs because of hair follicles getting blocked by debris, dead skin cells, or bacteria.
Cystic Acne
Cystic acne is a large pus-filled bump or an inflamed cyst that is usually red or white. These pus-filled acne flare-ups are caused by inflammation or infections and are painful.
Papules
Papules are small lesions that appear in the form of red bumps. These inflamed blemishes occur when hair follicles become inflamed due to clogging. Some other reasons behind these blemishes between eyebrows are insect bites and razor burns.
Pustules
Pustules are larger than papules and characterized by pus-filled lesions. This type of acne is surrounded by red skin and is yellow or white on top. Their root cause is excess production of oil or bacteria.
Nodules
Nodular acne is characterized by solid, large, and painful lesions that are usually red or skin-toned. These breakouts affect deep layers of the skin. Common causes of this kind of acne are overactive oil glands, clogged pores, genetics, and acne-causing bacteria. Now, let’s talk about what causes acne between eyebrows.
What Causes Acne Between Eyebrows?
If you are wondering what causes acne between the eyebrows, there can be a number of reasons behind it. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, acne develops when pores are clogged (1). They can occur anywhere oil glands are present, including on your scalp and face. So, do not be surprised if you get acne in between your eyebrows. Given below are other potential culprits that lead to acne in this area:
1. Excess Sebum Production
Sebum, a waxy substance produced by the sebaceous gland, promotes skin health. It protects the skin from moisture loss and also holds the potential to regulate immune responses (2). On the flip side, the overproduction of sebum can clog the pores and encourage acne-causing bacteria. The result is acne, especially the one involving inflammation. So, if you have cystic acne in between your eyebrows, your sebaceous gland’s hyperactivity can be the culprit.
2. Ingrown Hair
Regular tweezing, shaving, or waxing your eyebrows can result in ingrown hair, which can eventually trap debris inside the hair follicles. This trapped hair can cause irritation and infection, subsequently giving rise to cystic acne between eyebrows.
3. Cosmetic Use
According to research, there is a potential link between cosmetic use and the severity of acne in young girls (3). Frequent use of comedogenic skin care products can clog the pores and trigger acne formation. The harsh chemicals present in hair styling products and cosmetics can also irritate the skin, giving rise to breakouts. Moreover, makeup tools like brushes are breeding grounds for bacteria. That means applying makeup with unclean tools can cause persistent acne outbreaks. Even using an old or dirty eyebrow pencil can cause eyebrow acne.
4. Hormonal Changes
Hormonal imbalance can lead to pimples on eyebrows. These imbalances are common before or during puberty, when you have your period, during pregnancy, and before and during menopause (4). Also, fluctuating hormones can also result from birth control pills.
5. Liver Malfunction
The ancient Chinese face mapping technique claims that a compromised liver can result in acne between the eyebrows. As the liver is responsible for the body’s detoxification, any kind of toxins from poor dietary habits, alcohol use, and stress can negatively impact this facial area. Inflammatory liver disorders and toxicity in the body can also play a critical role in acne formation. However, there is not enough scientific evidence to prove the same.
6. Manual Hair Removal Methods
Manual eyebrow hair removal methods like threading, epilating, or waxing can make the eyebrow area susceptible to acne. To prevent such acne flare-ups, clean and exfoliate your eyebrows and try out other hair removal techniques like laser therapy. Apart from these common causes, there could be secondary reasons behind the acne between your brows. Learn more about them in the next section.
Other Reasons Why You See Acne Between Eyebrows
Diet: While no evidence exists to verify that specific food can cause acne, a study claims that some foods can worsen acne (5). Oily Skin: Oily skin can have clogged pores that cause acne. Also, if you do not wash your face regularly or properly, it can lead to acne breakouts.
Oily Hair: Oil from the scalp can transfer to your face and clog your pores, eventually paving the way for pimple formation. Genetics: The American Academy of Dermatology says genetics can make adults prone to acne (6). Stress Acne: Stress can trigger stress hormones that can stimulate the sebaceous gland and subsequently cause acne.
Now, let’s talk about how you can treat acne between your eyebrows.
Treating Acne Between Your Eyebrows
Want to know how to get rid of acne between the eyebrows? Whether you have cystic acne in between eyebrows or non-inflammatory acne, certain skin care tips and topical treatments can help you combat them.
1. Cleanse Your Eyebrows Regularly
Following the right cleansing routine can help you prevent those stubborn breakouts. Use a mild cleanser to cleanse your brows twice every day. This will remove debris and build-up and keep acne at bay. Also, exfoliate the brows on the weekends with a gentle scrub.
2. Spot Treatments
Spot treatment with over-the-counter products and topical ointments can help reduce acne. Over-the-counter remedies like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid can kill bacteria and clear up clogged pores (7). These treatments work best for mild acne like blackheads or whiteheads. Wondering how to get rid of acne in between the eyebrows that involve inflammation? An antifungal or steroid ointment can help you in this regard. We recommend consulting a dermatologist before opting for such treatments.
3. Medical Prescriptions
Oral medications like antibiotics and other drugs can help you cope with acne flare-ups. Some oral medications generally given to patients of acne vulgaris include (7):
Antibiotics: Antibiotics like Tetracycline, Erythromycin, and Macrolide combat acne-causing bacteria and inflammation.
4. Prefer Laser Over Other Hair Removal Methods
To prevent acne breakouts in the first place, avoid shaving, waxing, or plucking your eyebrows. You also may consider laser therapy to reduce hair.
5. Count On Medical Therapies And Treatments
Certain medical therapies and skin treatments can be performed to treat breakouts and acne scars between the eyebrows. Are you still wondering how to get rid of acne between the eyebrows? Some of the remedies given below are worth considering (7):
Chemical Peels: Usually involving AHAs, salicylic acid, or glycolic acid. This treatment improves mild acne and heals acne scars between the eyebrows. Laser Therapy: Helps treat inflamed acne. It requires multiple sittings to get the desired results. Steroid Shots: Ideal for cystic lesions and nodules. It comes with a handful of side effects.
6. Make Lifestyle Changes
Ditching bad lifestyle practices and following a healthy lifestyle can help you manage your condition. Eat a nutritious diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables that are high in water content. Limit your sugar intake. Refrain from eating dairy, processed foods, and fried foods. And, take care of your body by exercising routinely. Do not forget to keep your stress levels in check.
7. Stick To Home Remedies
Home remedies can be effective in curing acne in some cases. Here is a set of DIY remedies you can follow to fight acne:
Warm Compress: Take a warm washcloth and hold it against your pimples for 3-4 minutes to reduce the swelling. Tea Tree Oil: Mix a few drops of tea tree oil with some coconut oil and use it as a spot treatment (8). Aloe Vera: Apply fresh aloe vera gel to the affected region and wash it off after some time. The gel may calm the skin (8). Witch Hazel: Boil witch hazel bark in water and strain the liquid. Apply this liquid on acne with a cotton ball and rinse it off after 10 minutes (8). Green Tea: Blend green tea powder with Fuller’s earth and water to make a paste. Use this paste as an eyebrow mask (8). Apple Cider Vinegar: Mix a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with 3 tablespoons of water. Apply this solution on pimples and wash it off after 30 seconds.
You can also follow certain tips to prevent eyebrow acne from forming in the first place. Check out some of these tips below.
Prevention Tips For Acne Between Eyebrows
Also, you can prevent ingrown eyebrow hairs to eventually prevent acne formation. You can do this by:
Exfoliating before tweezing or waxing your brows. Using clean and disinfected tweezers/razors every time. Cleansing the eyebrow area before any hair removal method. Moisturizing the eyebrow area with an oil-free lotion after grooming your eyebrows.
If you don’t notice the acne between your brows reducing despite taking measures, you may need to consult a doctor. Find out when you should do that in the next section.
When To See A Dermatologist
Although most cases of acne can be handled with the help of over-the-counter products and medications, medical help becomes a necessity sometimes. If you have inflamed acne or a predisposition to acne, seeking a doctor’s help is recommended. Your dermatologist or aesthetician will examine your condition and then suggest more effective treatments. So, if you have cystic acne and other such lesions, or your acne does not stop, contact a dermatologist. What does forehead acne mean? Check out the infographic below for a step-by-step guide to cleansing your eyebrows properly. Forehead acne can be caused by the hair care products you use. It could also mean that you are stressed or undergoing hormonal fluctuations.
References:
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