5 ESSENTIAL WAYS FOR REMOVING SCALP ACNE
Scalp acne is a condition that affects most individuals at some point. For some people, acne on the scalp is much more than the odd pimple near the hairline or on the scalp itself – it can be a true outbreak that triggers a chain reaction of symptoms. Recurring pimples or severe acne can cause redness and scabbing that is visible through one’s hair, particularly in individuals who wear a short hairstyle. Parting one’s hair, wearing an up-do, and even swimming are tasks that can be ruled by the need to keep scalp acne hidden. Pimples on the head are not always a life-controlling issue, but some of the unseen symptoms can cause a great deal of discomfort for a person. For instance, common pimple-related symptoms such as itchiness, tenderness, or swelling can add a great deal of pain to everyday tasks like styling one’s hair or wearing a hat.
Brush-Up on Your Acne Knowledge
Understanding the cause behind acne flare-ups will go a long way in your efforts to prevent any kind of pimple plague – even on your head. Every bit of human skin is riddled with small holes known as pores. Most pores serve as a protective enclosure for the roots of hair follicles, even if a corresponding hair is so fine or lightly colored that it cannot be seen. Pores are also tasked with the important job of keeping the skin well-lubricated. Skin produces an oily substance called sebum which is secreted by pores in order to rehydrate skin cells. The everyday elements that your skin faces, including wind, sunlight, and chemicals, would easily turn your skin into a flaky desert without the help of sebum. Sometimes a pore may become blocked by a combination of naturally occurring substances such as dead skin cells and dirt. When mixed with sebum oil or even sweat these elements can create a blockade within the pore which prevents sebum oil from being released.
Bacteria, which is always present on human skin, may also become trapped inside the blocked pore which triggers a localized infection. As with other skin infections, the body activates an inflammatory response. Inflammation is normal but it does tend to cause symptoms that certainly let us know something is up. Common symptoms include swelling, redness, tenderness, and the development of pus. Depending on how deeply-rooted the bacteria is, it could take anywhere from 24 hours to several days before the tell-tale white or yellow “core” of the infected pore bursts or becomes reabsorbed by the body. As you can see, the initial cause behind acne on the scalp is the same as that which causes acne anywhere else on the body, the only difference is the location of the pimple and the method by which a pore become clogged.
Tips for Eliminating Acne
Do you find yourself gingerly brushing your hair in order to avoid nicking a pimple? Maybe you feel like you have to wear your hair against your preference because you want to better hide your condition. These are just a few examples of the ill effects that acne can cause. The following five sections describe simple but effective measures that not only speed up your recovery from an existing outbreak but also prevent future pimples from forming.
Avoid Greasy or Thick Styling/Hair Care Products
When dealing with the scalp, the most common cause of blocked pores involves the use of hair products. Styling products in some form or another have been used for thousands of years, but throughout history there have always been adverse side-effects to using things like wax, gel, mousse, and hairspray. Any time you add something to your hair or scalp that does not easily evaporate or become absorbed by skin and/or hair, the product will migrate to the skin of the head where it creates an unnatural film. In some cases, particularly when one uses hair gel or pomade, the layer created on the scalp can be extremely thick. In any case, airflow to the scalp is drastically reduced and the pores may become clogged by unreleased sebum, sweat, or the hair product itself. Reduced airflow also brings about the symptom of scalp irritation, which can actually lead to acne and a rash-like development.
If you use styling product then this could certainly be a contender for the cause behind your pimple-afflicted scalp. If you can manage, try to go a few weeks without using any kind of hair additive – even leave-in products like conditioner or anti-frizz treatment. The latter may not apply if you have long hair and only apply the product to the end of the hair where it will likely be absorbed by the hair instead of resting on the surface of the skin. If you occasionally use intense hair treatments such as deep-conditioning masques or hot oil products then the issue may be in how you apply the treatment. You see, deep-conditioners and hot oils are generally not meant to be massaged into the skin. In fact, most products of this nature will specifically instruct that the element be applied to the hair while