There are a few possible causes for a pimple on your eyebrow, but the most common is acne. Acne happens when hair follicles get clogged with oil and dead skin cells.
Acne affects about 80 percent of people under the age of 30 at some point. Fortunately, pimples on your eyebrow are easy to treat. It’s also possible to prevent acne breakouts before they happen.
Acne
The hair follicles in and around your eyebrows can easily become clogged. Inside each hair follicle there’s an oil gland that produces a substance called sebum. Sebum traps dead skin cells and plugs up the follicle, often trapping bacteria underneath. This can lead to several different types of pimples, including:
All types of acne are treatable but some are resistant to home treatments and require the help of a dermatologist.
Beauty products
Irritated hair follicles and pores around your eyebrow area might be caused by hair or face products you’re using. If your hair can brush across your brow line, styling product on your hair can transfer into your pores.
Consider washing or replacing the applicator you’re using for foundation, powders, or brow and eye makeup. Since makeup is applied directly to your skin and often stored in places that get warm or humid, bacteria may develop in the container. If any of your makeup over a year old, you may want to replace it.
Ingrown hairs
It’s possible to develop an ingrown hair, especially if you regularly shave, pluck, thread, or wax your eyebrows. Ingrown hairs happen when hair curls and remains under your skin. This can cause inflammation.
Symptoms of ingrown hairs include:
Ingrown hairs can happen anywhere, but they’re most common in places where coarse, curled hair grows.
Hair removal strategies increase your risk of developing an ingrown hair. Shaving leaves hair with a sharp edge, which allows it to pierce the skin more easily. Although it’s better than shaving, tweezing often leaves a fragment of the hair behind.
Fortunately, both acne and ingrown hairs are treatable. In fact, most ingrown hairs and pimples go away on their own. If you’re struggling with mild to severe facial acne, however, you may require more advanced treatment.
For a single pimple, you can start with a spot treatment containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. These over-the-counter acne creams are available at your local drugstore. These products reduce bacteria and remove dead skin cells in your pimple.
If you have more than a handful of pimples, it may be time to consult a dermatologist. It’s always best to treat acne early to prevent permanent scarring or discoloration. A dermatologist can give you prescription medications that will help:
There are also certain treatments that only a doctor should perform, such as pimple extractions. It can be very tempting to pop a pimple but doing so can lead to worse acne and permanent scars. Other things to avoid include:
Prevention is the key to successful pimple treatment. There are several steps you can take to prevent pimples from returning. Try these preventive measures:
To prevent ingrown hairs:
Eyebrow pimples are common. Your eyebrows are located in an area where there are many hair follicles and oil glands. Reducing oil and bacteria on your skin can prevent clogged pores and pimples. If over-the-counter pimple remedies aren’t working for you, make an appointment with your dermatologist.