Apple cider vinegar and baking soda are natural cleansing agents that gently clean your scalp and hair. They do this without stripping away oils that actually protect the skin and hair. The tea tree oil is anti-bacterial and anti-fungal. It gently cleans away any fungi that can cause itching and dandruff.
Folliculitis is caused by damage to your hair follicles, which leaves them vulnerable to infection-causing bacteria and fungi. Many things can damage the hair follicles on your scalp, such as: frequently scratching or rubbing your head. tugging on or twisting your hair.
Electrolysis. This method sends an electrical current through a hair follicle, which will damage the follicle and prevent hair from growing. Because hair grows in cycles, it takes several sessions to get permanent hair removal. You'll also find kits that allow you to perform electrolysis at home.
Apple cider vinegar has antibacterial and antifungal properties, making it great for cleansing and removing product build up that often clogs follicles, cleansing the scalp and enabling the hair to grow.
Blocked hair follicles start out like pimples. If they get worse, they can grow deep into the skin and look more like cysts or boils. They may also burst and leak pus or blood.
In most cases, the main symptom of folliculitis is red bumps that look like pimples on your skin. These could also look like they're white-filled bumps or they could be filled with pus (pustules). Folliculitis can feel itchy and uncomfortable. Many people feel the need to scratch when they have folliculitis.
Ingrown hairs can look like raised, red, itchy spots on the skin. Sometimes you can see a hair trapped under the skin. You may be more likely to get ingrown hairs if you have coarse or curly hair. Infected ingrown hairs can be painful.
Essential oils are the most effective ways to stimulate the scalp and encourage emerging hair follicles to continue sprouting. When massaged into your scalp, essential oils improve circulation and get the blood flowing to your hair follicles. They will also remove sebum from the scalp without over-drying.
You can't pull out a hair follicle, as it's the structure within your skin that holds your hair. If you pull out a strand of hair, you might notice a bulb or round ball (root) attached to the end of the hair strand. The root is surrounded by nerve fibers that let you feel when your hair moves or you touch your hair.
One of the best shampoos for scalp folliculitis recommended by dermatologists is CLn's Shampoo for healthy skin. It contains salicylic acid and sodium hypochlorite, which helps target the flaking and itching caused by scalp conditions, including folliculitis.
Combing gets close to the roots and can help keep them open. Take colder showers. Hot water can cause inflammation, drying out your scalp and closing off the roots. You don't have to shower in uncomfortably cold temperatures, but opting for lukewarm water rather than hot water can help open your hair's pores.
It exfoliates your scalp
“Baking soda helps with exfoliating since it's slightly abrasive; however when applying it to the scalp, scrub the mixture using gentle, light pressure, so you don't cause irritation,” says Ogboru.
Washing hair with baking soda may remove all types of dirt, oil, and build-up from your hair, thus leaving it squeaky clean. It is similar to what a clarifying shampoo does. It also helps remove any product or oil build-up that your scalp accumulates over time due to using multiple hair care products.
Lemons contain many other nutrients that strengthen the hair follicles and encourage new hair growth. Naturally acidic, lemon juice can deeply cleanse the scalp and hair follicles, restore healthy pH levels, and remove build-up of product, oils, and pollutants.
In addition to kickstarting your follicles through targeted scalp massages, certain topical hair-care products like serums and scalp cleansers can help prompt your follicles to get back to work. They contain ingredients that, when applied directly to your scalp, work to stimulate and nourish your follicles.
Hydrogen peroxide can help get rid of some bacteria and fungi that cause folliculitis. Dilute the hydrogen peroxide with clean, sterile water or use it directly. Apply it onto your skin with a cotton swab. You can use a small spray bottle for larger areas.
Epidermoid cysts are small, hard lumps that grow under the skin. These slow-growing cysts frequently occur on the scalp and face. They don't cause pain, and are skin-colored or yellow. A buildup of keratin below the skin is often the cause of epidermoid cysts.
Chronic folliculitis can be more difficult to treat. Antibiotics and other medications may not clear up chronic cases. If other treatment options fail, your doctor may recommend laser hair removal. During treatment, you should refrain from removing hair by plucking, waxing, or shaving.