Acne can occur anywhere on the body, but it’s especially visible on the face. That’s why so many of us are so concerned about how to get rid of sebum on the scalp and other acne-prone areas. However, acne isn’t just about looks; unreasonably high levels of sebum can cause various problems such as itchiness and irritation that may lead to scarring. Acne is a condition that affects many people at some point in their lives. It is more common in those who have oily skin, but anyone can get pimples at any time. Read ahead to learn how to get rid of sebum on the scalp and prevent pimples from cropping up again.
How To Get Rid Of Sebum On Scalp
Remove Clothes
Clothes will make your skin sweat, which can lead to breakouts. Wearing layers of clothes will prevent you from sweating, and you can use a scarf or cover up your head when in a hot environment. This will also help keep your skin warm and help prevent it from becoming too dry. If you wear clothes that are too tight, it may restrict the movement of air in and out of your scalp, leaving it unable to function properly.
Wash Scalp with Head Massage Brush
Wash your scalp at least once every day with diluted shampoo or a medicated cleanser that is specially made for acne-prone skin to remove sebum and dead skin cells. This will help cleanse the pores of the scalp without stripping off any natural oils or sebum. You can also use a scrub brush to remove dirt and dead skin cells that have accumulated on the scalp over time.
Use Moisturizing Products That Are Designed for Acne-Prone Skin Types
The best moisturizer for acne-prone skin is one that isn’t too heavy or greasy because they usually contain chemicals that may irritate sensitive skin, causing breakouts instead of helping ease them away naturally. Instead, look for products made specifically for people with sensitive skin such as those who suffer from eczema or psoriasis because these products are free from harsh chemicals such as sulfates, parabens, phthalates, and phenols.
Apply a Firming Moisturizer
Firming moisturizers are designed to give your skin the boost it needs to stay plump, firm, and attractively smooth. They’re made with ingredients that promote collagen production which helps boost the elasticity of the skin as well as improve its structure. These products are formulated to be gentle enough for use on skin that is prone to developing pimples and other blemishes.
Use an Oil-Free Moisturizer That Is Not Too Thick or Greasy
Acne-prone skin is often dry, so you should avoid using products that are too thick or greasy because they can make your skin appear flaky and make it more prone to breakouts. Look for products that are lightweight so you can easily spread them evenly all over your face without causing any irritation on your skin or making it look shiny. You should also avoid using sunblock because it may contain chemicals that could further irritate your acne-prone skin by clogging pores or causing bacteria to grow faster in them leading to breakouts. Instead, use products with an SPF of at least 15 if you want to protect yourself from harmful UV rays during summertime when the sun is strongest in the sky.
What Is Sebum And Why Is It Produced?
- Sebum is a waxy substance that occurs naturally in the skin. It is produced by the sebaceous glands, which are located in the pores and produce sebum to lubricate and protect your skin. Sebum protects your skin by coating it. It also acts as a lubricant to prevent friction between various layers of skin. If there are too many sebum secretions, this can lead to excessive oiliness that may cause pimples or other conditions such as acne.
- The sebaceous glands produce an oily substance called sebum that coats your hair and skin. Sebum is made up of several different ingredients such as fatty acids, waxes, and lipids that protect your hair from drying out when you sweat or get wet from rain or snow. It also acts as a natural moisturizer for your skin so that it doesn’t dry out when exposed to the elements like wind and cold weather. However, if there are too many secretions of sebum in your body, you may develop acne on different parts of your body such as the scalp, face, back of hands, chest area or shoulders, etc.
- Sebum contains natural oils which lead to acne breakouts because they clog up pores and make them too small for the bacteria responsible for causing pimples to grow easily inside them. These bacteria feed on dead skin cells and other debris trapped inside the pore which causes inflammation (redness) if they aren’t removed fast enough.
- Sebum also acts as an attractant for the bacteria responsible for causing pimples which is why you may get more pimples when you have oily skin.
Acne Cause And Effect
Sebum is the main cause of acne
Sebum is a waxy secretion that is found in all human skin. It protects the skin from water loss and keeps it moist. However, too much sebum can cause pimples and other problems. Sebum is made by the sebaceous glands, which are found in hair follicles and on the forehead, cheeks, neck, and back of the scalp. The sebaceous glands produce an oily substance that helps keep skin moist and lubricated. They also help to protect the skin from bacteria, environmental pollutants, and other irritants in our environment. The excess production of sebum can lead to acne or pimples on your face or body parts such as your chest, back, or underarms.
Sebum also causes acne-like symptoms
The overproduction of sebum can also cause acne-like symptoms such as Redness Irritation Itchiness Scalp greasy feeling Sensitive to touch Scaling (skin crusting) Flaking Dryness Pimples.
Treating acne with over-the-counter products will not work
Over-the-counter products that are prescribed by your dermatologist may contain active ingredients that help reduce inflammation and clear up existing clogged pores by helping them to shed dead cells more easily. However, these products are only intended for use as part of a treatment regime for acne scarring or severe cases of cystic acne (severely inflamed pimples). They are not a cure for acne and won’t help you to prevent future breakouts.
Acne treatment is essential, but don’t expect it to be quick
Acne treatments can involve various types of medication, such as topical and oral medications, or even laser treatment. It may take several weeks or even months to see the full effects of the treatment, so patience is key. Some people find that their acne clears up more quickly than others, but you can’t rush out and buy expensive products that claim they will get rid of your acne overnight. If you’re currently using an acne product that hasn’t worked for you then it’s best to speak with your doctor about changing the product rather than wasting money on another one that isn’t going to work for you either!
Tips To Prevent Sebum From Producing Acne
Wash your hair regularly
Washing your hair regularly will help keep the scalp clean. If you have oily skin, washing it every day is a must. By removing excess oil, you can prevent acne from happening. If you don’t wash your hair every day, however, consider using anti-acne shampoo and conditioner on a regular basis to avoid breakouts.
Brush your teeth once or twice a day
Brushing helps remove bacteria from the mouth, which is particularly helpful for acne sufferers because of their propensity to pick at pimples and scars when they occur. Brushing also stimulates blood flow to the face and scalp and can reduce inflammation and promote healing of the skin if it gets injured in an accident or if it’s just too dry and irritated by excessive oil production. For best results, brush your teeth before bedtime so that they’re freshly cleaned when you wake up in the morning.
Avoid oily foods and drinks
Foods like fried foods, oily meats, and fried fish are high in fat that can cause sebum production on the skin’s surface if eaten or drunk excessively over time. Food with high levels of sugar also promotes rapid sebum production because sugar is converted into fatty acids when eaten by the body. Foods that are high in protein such as eggs and meat tend to be less fattening but may still lead to excess oil on the skin. So be sure to eat less oily foods, especially fried foods and fatty meats.
Applying moisturizers to the face and scalp
Moisturizing the skin is an important step in reducing sebum production. If you’re using anti-acne products regularly, they will also help keep the skin moisturized so that it won’t dry out as quickly or become too irritated from excess oil production. Moisturizers can be applied directly on the skin or used in conjunction with other products such as face masks, which hydrate both the skin and hair follicles at once.
Avoid sun exposure
Exposure to sunlight can cause acne on your face and scalp because both of these areas are more exposed than other areas of the body. The sun’s UV rays can damage the skin cells that cause acne by causing them to overproduce sebum at a faster rate than normal. Sunscreen lotions can prevent this damage from occurring but they don’t protect against UV rays which are still harmful even if you wear sunscreen at all times. So be sure to use sunscreen regularly when you go outside so that you don’t risk damaging your skin by exposing it to sunlight without protection.
Conclusion
Getting enough sleep, drinking lots of water, eating a healthy diet, and taking care of your skin can help prevent acne breakouts. Additionally, you can address acne by reducing the amount of sebum on your skin. You can do this by exfoliating and using face washes without acne-causing ingredients.