Acne doesn’t just affect your face and body, but your scalp too. It could affect anyone, young or old, no matter where you’re from, and what you do. Just like the skin on the rest of your body, your scalp has pores too, that secrete oil (sebum). However, when bacteria that reside on your scalp combine with dead skin cells and this sebum secreted by your scalp, the pores get blocked, thus leading to an eruption of acne on your scalp.
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What causes scalp acne?
The most common causes of scalp acne include:
- Poor hygiene
- Allergic reaction
- Poor/unhealthy diet
- Hormonal fluctuations, especially during adolescence and menstrual cycles
- Humid weather conditions
- Pollution
- Exposure to certain chemicals and oils
- Wearing tight headgear, elastic bands, or hair bands
- Scratching your scalp
- Stress
- Fatigue
- Depression
Though scalp acne isn’t visible to you since your hair is covered by hair, it causes pain and a lot of inconvenience. Even brushing and combing your hair becomes a painful endeavor. Itching, pain, redness, and inflammation are some of the most common symptoms of scalp acne. If scalp acne is not treated, it could lead to folliculitis, an inflammatory infection of the hair follicles caused by bacteria.
Home remedies for scalp acne
Scalp acne usually tends to clear up after a week or so, they are tender, sore, and painful. A proper hair care regimen and hygiene routine are necessary to treat this problem effectively. Also, a number of easy, effective, and simple home remedies for scalp acne help speed up the healing process significantly.
1. Aloe vera
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Aloe vera helps reduce and get rid of scalp acne effectively, thanks to its anti-bacterial properties. It also helps prevent infection, reduce inflammation, while also boosting healing. Additionally, it also helps maintain the pH balance of the scalp, which helps combat scalp acne successfully.
Remedies
- Slice open an aloe vera leaf and squeeze out the fresh gel into a clean bowl. Apply this directly over your scalp and hair. Leave it on for a couple of hours, letting your scalp absorb it fully. Repeat this remedy twice a day for a week to treat scalp acne.
- In a clean bowl, mix together half a cup of fresh aloe vera gel with the juice of half a lemon. Apply this paste on your scalp and hair, focusing on the affected areas. Leave it on for half an hour, before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Repeat this remedy once a day for a few days, till the scalp acne clears up.
2. Apple cider vinegar
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Apple cider vinegar is an excellent remedy to get rid of scalp acne. It possesses anti-bacterial and antiseptic properties that help clear the clogged hair follicles that cause acne in the first place. Additionally, it helps restore the pH balance of the scalp, thus preventing further acne eruptions.
Remedies
- Mix together equal parts apple cider vinegar and lukewarm water in a clean bowl. Rinse your hair and scalp with this solution. Wait for 10 minutes, post which, rinse your hair with plain water. Repeat this remedy every time you wash your hair.
- To 1 glass of warm water, add 1 teaspoon of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar and stir well. Drink this twice a day to help fight scalp acne successfully.
3. Betel leaves
Betel leaves have been used efficiently in traditional medicine to treat different skin and hair problems, including scalp acne. These leaves possess anti-microbial and antiseptic properties that help treat as well as prevent acne breakouts.
Remedies
- Take a handful of fresh betel leaves and grind them into a fine paste. Apply this directly on the affected areas. Let it stay for about half an hour, before rinsing it off with cool water. Repeat this remedy thrice a day for positive results.
- Add 5 betel leaves and 3 cups of water into a saucepan. Bring this to a boil and let it simmer for a few minutes. Take it off the heat and strain the liquid. Let it cool down completely. Use this water to rinse your hair and scalp at least twice a day to get rid of scalp acne.
- Smear some castor oil on a warm betel leaf and place it over the affected area before going to sleep at night. The following morning, wash your hair as you usually do. Repeat this remedy once every day for desired results.
4. Garlic
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Garlic is an amazing ingredient to help treat scalp acne successfully. It possesses antioxidant and anti-bacterial properties that are helpful in treating acne eruptions on your scalp, especially ones caused by a bacterial infection. Garlic is also known to bring down the inflammation and pain, while speeding up the healing process.
Remedies
- Add 6 peeled cloves of garlic and 3 cups of water into a saucepan. Bring this to a boil and let it simmer for 5 minutes. Cover it with a lid, letting it cool down completely. Take out the garlic cloves and use the water to rinse your scalp and hair. Wait for 10 minutes, before washing it off with clean water. Use this remedy once every day for best results.
- Dip a clean Q-tip into garlic oil and apply it directly on the affected areas. Repeat this remedy twice a day for best results.
- Include garlic in your diet for overall hair and skin health, as it keeps acne at bay.
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5. Honey
Honey possesses anti-bacterial and antioxidant properties that help curb the growth of bacteria that cause scalp acne. Additionally, it is also helpful in alleviating pain and redness.
Remedies
- Take a Q-tip, dip it into honey, and apply it topically on the affected areas. Let it stay on for 15 minutes, before washing it off with lukewarm water. Repeat this remedy twice a day for a few days for positive results.
- In a clean bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons of honey and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Apply this paste topically on the affected areas, using clean fingertips. Leave it on for 20 minutes, before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Follow this remedy once every day for best results.
6. Neem
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Neem is an amazing remedy to get rid of acne, thanks to its antiseptic and antibiotic properties that help dry it out quickly. Additionally, it also helps bring down the pain, inflammation, and itching.
Remedies
- Put a handful of fresh neem leaves and 2 cups of water in a saucepan. Bring this to a boil, letting it simmer for 10 minutes. Take it off the heat and remove the leaves from the pan. Grind them into a fine paste. Slather this on your scalp, focusing on the affected areas. Let it stay on for about half an hour, before rinsing it off with the water you boiled the neem leaves in. Finally, wash your hair with plain water.
- Add 5 drops of neem oil to 1 teaspoon of extra virgin coconut oil. Use this oil to massage your scalp. Leave it on overnight. The following morning, wash your hair and scalp with a mild shampoo.
7. Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is an excellent home remedy for scalp acne and other related problems. It possesses antiseptic properties that help disinfect the pores, thereby helping dry out the acne quickly. It also helps combat the bacteria that cause acne, while reducing the redness and itchiness.
Remedies
- To 3 tablespoons of olive oil, mix 5 drops of tea tree oil. Use this oil to massage your scalp for about 5 minutes. Leave it on for a couple of hours, before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Repeat this remedy once a day till the symptoms subside.
- Add 2 teaspoons of tea tree oil to your shampoo bottle and shake well. Use this tea tree oil-infused shampoo to wash your hair every day to treat scalp acne effectively.
- Dip a Q-tip in tea tree oil and apply it topically on the affected areas. Leave it on for a few hours, before washing it off with cool water. Repeat this remedy twice every day for best results.
8. Tomato juice
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Tomato contains salicylic acid, which is helpful in treating scalp acne. It helps dry out the acne quickly. Additionally, tomatoes also curb the production of sebum, which is one of the main causes for scalp acne. Also, it helps maintain a healthy pH on the scalp.
Remedies
- Extract fresh tomato juice and apply it directly on your hair and scalp. Let it stay for 10 minutes, before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Repeat this remedy once every day for a few days, till the acne dries out.
- In a clean bowl, mix together 1 tablespoon of tomato juice, half a teaspoon of honey, and a few drops of lemon juice. Dip a clean cotton ball in this and apply it on the affected areas, gently dabbing it. Leave it on for about 10 minutes, before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Repeat this remedy once every day for a few days till you see visible improvement.
9. Turmeric
Turmeric is a natural antiseptic, which also possesses anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, making it an ideal remedy to treat scalp acne. It also helps reduce the pain, while also preventing acne scars.
Remedy
- Add half a teaspoon of turmeric powder to half a teaspoon of extra-virgin coconut oil and mix well to form a thick paste. Slather this on the affected areas, leaving it on for at least one hour, before washing it off with regular shampoo. Repeat this remedy once a day to get rid of scalp acne.
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Additional tips
- Wash your hair and scalp regularly to prevent buildup of oily residue on your scalp.
- Use a shampoo that contains salicylic acid to successfully combat acne, while also preventing future breakouts.
- Wash your hair equipment and tools like combs, hairbrushes, curlers, clips, and barrettes regularly with soapy water.
- When washing your hair, massage your scalp with your fingertips gently, to help improve the blood circulation.
- Avoid using greasy and/or oily leave-in hair products like gels, wax, mousse, and hairspray. These products further clog the pores.
- Do not use a conditioner as it tends to aggravate the situation. However, if you have to use it, apply it only on the tips of your hair, not on your scalp.
- Avoid deeply fried, spicy, and oily foods as they tend to exacerbate the condition.
- Avoid scratching and/or squeezing the acne as it could lead to infection, thereby slowing down the healing process.
These are all the superbly effective home remedies for scalp acne. For more updates on skin care, hair care, and beauty tips, subscribe to our newsletter today!
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