Little bumps above the chin that won’t go away

On my upper chin (below the lip area) I have these little bumps that have been there for as long as I can remember, and they won’t go away. I can’t see them (unless under a particular light, close up in scrutiny), and the area is smooth when touched. However, when the area is stretched (as when making a face) I can then feel these little bumps. What can I do?

My first recommendations to not focus too much on those little, undetectable bumps. I do know what you are talking about, however. They are probably little pockets of oil sitting just under the surface of your skin. And sometimes even the clay mask cannot get rid of them—they have too much dead skin grown over them.

One thing you can do, but you have to be gentle, is to use a scrub in that area. I emphasize being gentle because in my experience, people who focus on these sort of undetectable places tend to be a bit too gungho about getting rid of them. Also using a clay mask may or may not help to minimize the size of these little pockets, as mentioned before the small places may have too much dead skin over them, still clay may help. If you get facials, be sure your aesthetician is aware of these spots; she can probably extract them during the treatment.

I realize this client is looking for a complete removal answer to her problem, albeit hidden bumps. Other than ignoring them (that won’t happen) or using the steps I’ve suggested, sometimes problems resolve over time. It very well could be something in her diet that is causing those places. Dairy can create small whiteheads or clogged pores on certain people’s faces. It could simply be an oil buildup that isn’t getting enough attention in her routine. Whatever the reason they exist, if she—if you—examine many different avenues in your life that your problem skin may be happening from, you very well may discover the answer to your questions.

For more information, see:

• Problem skin? ASK YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS & become a skin care sleuth
• “I don’t eat much sugar”—really?
• Hidden Sugar: Sugar in Unsuspected Places