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CHNAcne
My acne keeps coming back in the same spot. Is there a reason?
You are sure it had cleared, but a few weeks later it appears in the same spot again, and it is confusing whether your care is lacking or it is down to your constitution. It may also feel worrying that squeezing or touching it seems to make it recur more.
Acne recurring in the same spot is often due to a combination of the characteristics of areas with a lot of oil, contact and friction, hormonal changes, and the products you use. This article sets out the factors commonly checked for each area.
Why does it keep recurring in the same area?
The distribution of oil glands, skin thickness, and what touches the skin differ from one area of the face to another. In areas with active oil secretion, pores tend to become blocked, and a spot that has been inflamed once can become sensitive and may react again to similar irritation.
Also, if something repeatedly touches the same spot, strain can keep building up in that area. Pillows, masks, hair, hands, and mobile phones are typical examples.
What do we look at for each area?
The table below shows factors often checked for each area. The cause differs from person to person, and in many cases several factors act together.
| Area | Factors often mentioned | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Forehead and hairline | Bangs, hair products | Whether hair touches the skin, whether products get on it |
| Cheeks | Contact and friction, pillowcases | Mobile phone, resting your cheek on your hand, bedding cleanliness |
| Chin and around the mouth | Hormonal changes, mask friction | Link with hormonal cycles, mask-wearing habits |
| Back and chest | Sweat, friction from clothing | Showering after exercise, clothing material |
What can I check first at home?
A good start is to reduce the habit of touching or squeezing, to frequently clean the pillowcases and phone screens that touch your face, and to look back on whether you have a habit of applying many layers of heavy products.
If it still keeps appearing in the same spot, or if the inflammation is deep, painful, or firm to the touch, or if it suddenly gets worse, it is better to have a consultation to confirm the cause and a care plan. This is because deeper inflammation can leave marks.
Frequently asked questions
Q. Does squeezing acne make more appear in the same spot?
A. Squeezing forcefully can deepen the inflammation or leave marks, and the spot may become sensitive and react more easily to irritation again. Rather than squeezing it yourself, it is safer to have it managed at a consultation according to its condition.
Q. Will washing my face more often reduce it?
A. Washing more often or rubbing hard can weaken the skin barrier and instead cause irritation. The general guideline is to wash gently with a mild cleanser about twice a day.
Q. Is it also related to stress or lack of sleep?
A. Lifestyle habits and hormonal changes are known to be able to affect acne. However, individual differences are large and it is hard to pin the cause on one thing, so if it keeps recurring, we recommend having it checked at a consultation.
