How to get rid of head acne fast

Have you noticed and felt tiny bumps on your scalp? Well, those are scalp acne you felt and we understand it can be quite annoying. It makes combing and styling your hair quite difficult as your scalp feels itchy and painful most of the time. There are several causes of scalp acne: excessive hair oiling, poor personal hygiene, product buildup, scalp folliculitis, etc. If not dealt with on time, it can also lead to bleeding, scarring, hair loss and more. But why fear when we’re here?

We have listed down five simple home remedies that you can try to get rid of scalp acne. Check ‘em out…

01. Tomato juice

Tomatoes are naturally loaded with salicylic acid, which makes them a perfect remedy for acne. Also, it helps maintain a healthy pH for your skin and hair, which makes it a perfect remedy for scalp acne. Just squeeze out some tomato juice and rinse your hair with it to tackle the pimples on the scalp and add lustre to your tresses.

02. Tea tree oil

Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, tea tree oil is a great way to treat pesky scalp acne. However, tea tree oil can cause irritation if used alone. That’s why we recommend using a tea tree oil-infused shampoo to reap the benefits without the side effects. Our top pick is the Love Beauty & Planet Tea Tree Oil & Vetiver Clarifying Shampoo. This clean shampoo is made with ethically sourced Australian tea tree oil, aromatic vetiver and organic coconut oil and has no parabens, silicones or dyes in its formula. It helps clarify and soothe your scalp, removes all buildup, and leaves your hair fresh and shiny.

03. Apple cider vinegar

ACV is like magic in a bottle for your hair. Right from promoting hair growth to making your tresses frizz-free, shiny and smooth — apple cider vinegar does it all. But did you know it also helps treat your scalp acne? Thanks to the high antioxidant content and its ability to balance hair and scalp pH, ACV flattens and closes the hair cuticle and clarifies your scalp, making it a great treatment for scalp acne.

04. Jasmine essential oil

Okay, this is our go-to remedy to treat acne of any sort. Jasmine oil has benzoic acid, which helps inhibit infections caused by bacteria, making it a perfect solution for acne breakout on any part of your body. Furthermore, jasmine oil removes dead skin cells, which is another major cause of scalp acne. All you gotta do is dilute this essential oil with grape seed oil and massage it directly onto your scalp, and you’ll notice your scalp acne disappearing with regular use.

05. Garlic

With loads of salicylic acid, antioxidants, antiviral, and anti-fungal properties, garlic is a sure shot way to treat your scalp acne. You can rinse your hair with garlic tea (don’t think too much about the smell), and you’d see those pesky scalp acne disappear in no time. Take about 3-4 peeled cloves and boil them in three cups of water and rinse your hair with it. Easy-peasy!

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Recently, during a lazy weekend in upstate New York, my boyfriend and I came across an episode of TLC's too-gross-to-turn-away series, Dr. Pimple Popper. Now, I have a pretty high threshold for blood and gore, but was I ready to see dermatolofgist Sandra Lee pop two giant cysts on a patient's head? I was not, and I will never look at gnocchi the same ever again. However, pimples on your scalp aren't just a TV phenomena, it's an everyday occurrence that many more people experience than you think.

"Scalp acne refers to pimples scattered throughout the scalp, whereas folliculitis refers to infections and/or inflammation around the hair follicles," explains Carlos A. Charles, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. "[It's] typically seen more frequently in people that also have facial acne."

OK, so before you freak out, I spoke to a few more dermatologists and trichologists to get to the bottom of why scalp acne occurs in the first place — and how to prevent it in the future.

We all know what pimples look like, but now imagine those around the hairline or even underneath your hair. Yep, that's scalp acne. On a more technical tip, according to Deanne Mraz Robinson, a board-certified dermatologist in Westport, Connecticut, scalp acne "is a form of folliculitis or inflammation of the hair follicles; at times it can be caused by irritation, bacteria, fungal, or other infections," she explains. "You can also have traditional acne around the hairline if you are prone to facial acne."

However, salon owner and trichologist Penny James further explains these aren't to be confused with seborrheic dermatitis (often due to an overactive serum on the scalp combined with inflamed skin causes large flakes of skin) or pilar cysts (which are filled with keratin from the hair follicle and relatively harmless). But be mindful of self-diagnosing yourself with "scalp acne," as it can have several etiologies and can occasionally be something more serious than the typical breakout.

If you're worried that your dandruff is definitely causing your pimples, according to Charles, there isn't a specific link between the two. "However, those with dandruff tend to have on overproduction of oil and sebaceous activity in the scalp," he says. "They also may be more prone to acne breakouts."

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How do you treat scalp breakouts?

Just like facial acne, there are a number of reasons why acne pops up on your scalp: stress, hormonal balances, certain foods, and abnormal immune responses can all be contributing factors. Often oil-based products like heavy pomades can cause clogging of the pores or glands, which makes washing (and styling) your hair with the right products even more important.

According to Shari Hicks-Graham, a board-certified dermatologist in Columbus, Ohio, those with oilier hair textures (or scalps) may be more predisposed to scalp acne or pimples "because the extra sebaceous gland activity that produces the oil also supports an environment that promotes bacterial growth — especially propionibacterium acnes — and other forms of bacteria like staph and strep."

What shouldn't you do if you get a breakout?

It is never a good idea to squeeze, pick, or pop a pimple on the scalp (or anywhere else) unless it is performed in a medical environment "with techniques and products to prevent ongoing trauma or infection of the skin," explains Hicks-Graham. "In many cases, the pressure from these behaviors causes the infection and inflammation of the pimple to go deeper into the skin and become more buried, which can prolong the course of the lesion."

Ultimately, this can lead to more scarring of the skin and hair loss. Moral of the story? Hands off.

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What can you do to treat scalp acne?

Make your wash-day routine count by lathering up with medicated shampoos formulated with antibacterial ingredients, such as sulfur and salicylic acid. "I suggest washing every other day," says Robinson. "It's best to lather and let the anti-inflammatory shampoo sit for five minutes before rinsing for best effect." She recommends Cln shampoo, which combines salicylic acid and dilute sodium hypochlorite to knock out itching, folliculitis, and dandruff.

If you head to your dermatologist, they may prescribe topical options such as topical clindamycin, erythromycin, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or glycolic acid. "For more severe cases, oral antibiotics or oral retinoids are prescribed," says Hicks-Graham.

What can you do to prevent scalp acne?

Despite a lack of information on scalp acne on the World Wide Web, Carlos assures that the condition isn't that uncommon and that he treats patients pretty frequently. "Helping to prevent oil and flaky build-up can be extremely helpful," he explains. "Ketoconazole shampoo (which can be purchased over the counter at a 1 percent strength or the prescription strength of 2 percent) are two good options."

He's also a fan of Neutrogena T/ Sal Therapeutic Shampoo, which also contains salicylic acid to reduce bumps.

On the flip slide, he cautions that while shampoos like these are helpful to combat an oily scalp, they can dry out your hair if you overuse them. "If acne bumps develop, look for products containing glycolic acid or even tea tree oil to apply directly to the offending bumps. This can assist in eliminating bacteria and speeding the process of eradicating the pimple."

And finally, if lesions persist after attempting these simple remedies, "it's a good idea to see a dermatologist for a thorough evaluation," says Carlos.

More acne stories to check out:

• Bella Thorne Says Washing Her Face Less Helped Reduce Her Acne Breakouts

• The 14 Best Cystic Acne Treatments, According to Dermatologists

• Everything You Need to Know About Treating Cystic Acne

Now, watch GOT7 try nine things they've never done before:

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