Do you know which organ is the biggest?
It’s not the heart.
It’s not the brain.
It’s our skin!
When there’s an issue with your skin, you’ll know it. It’s got amazing communication skills.
In return for that, we need to make sure we’re keeping our skin happy and healthy, and there are tonnes of ways to do that.
From different treatments to endless skincare options, and even face mapping.
If you’ve never heard of face mapping, don’t worry, that’s what today’s blog is all about.
What Is Face Mapping?
The face mapping technique comes from an ancient Chinese belief that your skin is a reflection of your inner health.
As time has moved forward, so have face mapping techniques, with newer ones relying on dermatology rather than ancient beliefs.
Old or new, all of these techniques share the idea that skin issues are linked to deeper issues inside the body.
While there is limited research to suggest that face mapping is a direct link to clear skin, it’s still worth knowing about and understanding these techniques.
How To Use Face Mapping
There are a few different methods of face mapping, and each explores the face in different ways.
Chinese face mapping
Chinese face mapping is a 3,000-year-old practice which looks at the face as a map, connecting each section to different parts of the body.
It is also known as Mien Shiang, which translates to ‘face reading’.
Here are a few examples of how this method works:
1 - Forehead: Chinese face mapping suggests that the forehead is connected to the digestive system.
It believes that a poor diet, lack of sleep, and increased stress levels can affect this area, showing up as pimples or redness.
2 - Nose: Like its organ counterpart, the nose gets split into left and right - that’s right, it’s said to be connected to the heart.
Issues that could cause skin issues here include heart-related blockages, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol levels.
3 - Eyebrows: The space between the eyebrows is said to correspond with the liver.
Toxins from negative emotions or a bad diet could have an effect on the health of this area.
4 - Temples: Next up, this form of face mapping sees issues around the temples linking to the kidneys and bladder.
Things that could cause skin issues in these areas include medications that don’t agree with your body, infections, and inflammation.
6 - Cheeks: And finally, the cheeks are said to correlate with the stomach.
Stomach inflammation could show here, resulting in red cheeks, and breakouts could be related to allergies or sinus issues.
9 - Chin: Spots on the chin could relate to menstrual cycles or feelings of stress and are said to link to the hormonal and reproductive system.
If there’s an imbalance in the body, this method suggests that it will eventually show on the skin, whether that’s through redness, dryness, or spots, with the location of those spots signalling an issue in certain areas of the body.
Of course, there’s no scientific basis behind this method, but it is based on years of observation and a belief that energy flows to and from organs along invisible pathways.
If skin issues like the above do arise, a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner would recommend changing aspects of your diet or lifestyle.
Dermalogica face mapping
Our next method of face mapping comes from skincare brand Dermalogica, who have combined Chinese diagnoses with dermatology knowledge.
This method splits the face into zones, with each area being studied by a trained professional.
Then paired with a lifestyle questionnaire, this method allows a professional to figure out the cause of your skin issue, looking at tonnes of them, from acne and rosacea to eczema.
The zones in this method include:
Zone 1 & 3 - Forehead: Dermalogica suggests that issues in the forehead area point to problems in the bladder or digestive system.
Although direct links between diet and acne are still limited, they say that breakouts here could mean a poor diet or lack of water.
Zone 2 - Between the eyebrows: Separate from the whole forehead, the area between the brows could be linked to the liver.
If you start seeing spots or oiliness here, it could mean that your diet needs a bit of a healthier shake-up.
It’s advised to avoid excess alcohol, rich foods, and late-night eating in this case, as always check for food allergies like lactose intolerance.
Zone 5 - Cheeks: The cheeks are said to correspond with the respiratory system, with those who smoke or have allergies possibly seeing things like broken capillaries and hyperpigmentation here.
It is important to note here that bacteria is one of acne’s biggest contributors, and which device carries tonnes of bacteria? Your phone.
Make sure you’re always keeping your phone clean and try to avoid holding it directly onto your skin for prolonged periods of time.
Zone 12 - Chin: It’s been theorised for a long time that spots on the chin could have a hormonal link and Dermalogica agrees.
The middle of the chin could also link to the small intestine, with dietary problems and food allergies causing skin issues in this area.
Acne face mapping
Our final method of face mapping is Acne face mapping.
Acne appears when the skin becomes clogged with dead skin cells and oil, creating the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive.
It is also believed to be the most common skin problem, which could be why acne face mapping is becoming more and more popular.
This method is more focused on the scientific causes of breakouts and long-term acne.*
*Important note: There is, however, little research to prove that certain things can trigger acne in certain areas of the face so use this information as a guide, not a complete solution.
Like the last two techniques, acne face mapping slits the face into zones:
1 - Hairline: Hairline problems could relate to a build-up of hair or makeup products, and experts recommend double cleansing to combat spots in this area.
2 - Forehead: In acne face mapping, the forehead is believed to be linked to stress and diet.
Remedies for spots in this area include eating more fruit and veg, getting the right amount of sleep, and drinking plenty of water.
3 - Eyebrows: Issues in between the eyebrows could also be related to diet, with breakouts being caused by consuming too much alcohol, or fatty, processed foods.
4 - Cheeks: As mentioned earlier on, the cheeks can be affected by outside influences like air pollution and bacteria.
To deal with this, make sure you’re cleaning the skin thoroughly and washing your pillowcases regularly.
Diet could also have an impact on the cheeks, with a study finding a link between sugar intake and acne rise.
5 - Chin: And agreeing with the above technique, acne face mapping believes that spots on the chin show the state of your hormonal balance.
During menstruation and pregnancy as you deal with excess hormones you could experience more breakouts in this area.
Dermatologists who use this method of face mapping will usually offer personalised advice for dietary and lifestyle adjustments and could suggest a few skincare products, too.
Some aestheticians will spend time training in face mapping techniques, however, it’s always best to consult a dermatologist if you’re concerned about skin issues.
So, next time you notice a pesky spot, think about what could be going on inside your body!