Picture this: Youre cleansing your face at night and feel a bump.
Unfortunately, bumps on your face arent always what they appear to be.
To find out which bump youre dealing with, youll need some context clues.
To help you out, we asked dermatologists for afullguide to bumps on the face.
Below, the must-know traits of each cause and how to treat them.
Closed comedones or whiteheads
First up we have whiteheads.
Youll most often find whiteheads around oily parts of the face like the chin, forehead, and nose.
“Retinoids are vitamin A derivatives that reduce oil production and promote cellular turnover,” she explained.
you could find retinol in manyover-the-counter forms such as classic retinol, retinaldehyde, and adapalene.
Or, chat with your dermatologist about prescription-grade formulas.
Two common forms of this bang out of breakout include papules and pustules.
Papules often turn into pustules.
When the red papule forms a white, pus-filled head, you now have a tender pustule.
If you think those may be at play, consult your dermatologist.
Cysts are often tender, and may even feel soft to the touch.
Cystic acne tends to be red, inflamed, and larger than other breakouts.
The giveaway that you’ve got a cystic breakout?
This form of acne isverydifficult to treat with just over-the-counter products, especially if its consistent.
The obvious giveaway would be that youve had acne in the past.
If youre feeling a raised scar, it may be a keloid.
Keloids and hypertrophic scars1occur because there’s an excess of scar tissue.
These form as the result of acne as well as just general injuries.
These appear more frequently from body acne, but can show up on the face, too.
Keloidsand hypertrophic scars take dermatologic intervention, and there’s not much you might do on your own.
This sudden flushing is due to rosacea triggers, which are different from person to person.
The first step is to avoid your triggers, but thats definitely easier said than done.
So, couple those efforts with topical care.
Its important to note that with rosacea, your skin barrier is compromised.
To do so, look for rich hydrating creams and do your best to stay away from irritants.
Unfortunately, this means there isnt a whole lot you could do about it at home.
How to treat psoriasis
At home care is similar to that of eczema.
KP shows up more on the cheeks and jaw area than the T-zone, Mikailov says.
Your dermatologist may be able to help you identify KP, but there isnt a cure for it yet.
However, there are steps you could take to manage it and minimize its appearance.
This one is complex, but also common.
One common form of dermatitis isperioral dermatitis, which shows up around the mouth.
As far as at-home remedies go,though, just stick with hydrating and soothing products.
Chances are, you have milia.
Unlike acne, milia are not brought on by an infection in the pore.
And you don’t have to have acne-prone skin to develop milia.
In fact, people with dry or dehydrated skin are even more prone to milia.
They may look like a tiny pimple in some cases.
On occasion, you might actually see a hair stuck in the inflamed bump.
Regular exfoliation and exfoliation before shaving can help to prevent ingrown hairs from happening on a regular basis.
In the meantime, try using a warm compress andingrown hair spot treatment.
Its also important to refrain from shaving in this area until the ingrown hair has healed.
Moles are often brown, but not in all cases, Portella says.
How to treat moles
Unproblematic moles dont call for treatment, unless they bother you aesthetically.
If you do want to remove the mole, your dermatologist can determine the best method.
If left alone, they can grow quite large over time.
In short, you should definitely visit your doctor if you suspect you have a lipoma.
They usually cause itching but may also burn or sting, she adds.
High stress situations can also trigger hives, or make present hives worse.
In the moment, its better to just let your hivesbethan slather any cream on them.
To prevent future hives, venture to avoid allergic triggers.
If youre not sure, speak with your doctor.
Infection
Last but not least, we have general skin infections.
One common infection is impetigo.
Chickenpox is another virus in the herpes family and typically affects children who are not vaccinated for it.
Its rare to have chickenpox only on the face and not the body, so thats one major giveaway.
In the mean time, just dont touch your infected bump.
Once you visit your doctor, they may give you antibiotics or topical treatment creams and ointments.
This one is quite serious, so dont take it lightly.
FAQ
How do I get rid of small bumps on my face?
The first step to treating bumps on your face is identifyingwhatthe bump is.
Common bumps include pimples, milia, ingrown hairs, and hives.
Other skin conditions like eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis can also result in bumps.
There are plenty of other causes for bumps on the face, so visit your dermatologist for help.
What causes bumps on face that are not pimples?
Common bumps include pimples, milia, ingrown hairs, and hives.
Other skin conditions like eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis can also result in bumps.
There are plenty of other causes for bumps on the face, so visit your dermatologist for help.
What are the bumps on my face called?
The takeaway
As you could tell, a bump on the face could be many things.
When in doubt, ask your derm.
