Finding bumps on the scalp can be concerning, especially if these bumps are red, itchy, painful, or have pus. If you’re experiencing this condition, don’t panic. Tension bumps on the scalp are fairly common and can usually be treated at home with a few easy remedies.
Women who wear their hair in protective hairstyles such as braids are the most likely to get tension bumps. However, they’re also common in people who shave their heads. While tension bumps are common, dealing with them can still be difficult.
In this article, we’ll first understand what tension bumps on the scalp are, what causes them, and how to get rid of them with some simple remedies. Waw Skin Cosmo
Table of Contents:
- What are Tension Bumps on the Scalp?
- Symptoms of Tension Bumps
- What Causes Tension Bumps?
- Home Remedies to Get Rid of Tension Bumps on the Scalp
- Relieve the Tension
- Drain the Pus
- Use an Anti-dandruff Shampoo
- Use Cortisone Cream
- Keep It Clean
What are Tension Bumps on the Scalp?
Tension bumps on the scalp usually appear as a response to some kind of trauma. Scalp folliculitis is the medical name for tension bumps that develop on the scalp.Waw Skin Cosmo
The condition is typically brought on by a bacterial or fungal infection that reaches the hair follicles following trauma to the skin. If you wear your hair tightly in any style, from smooth ponytails to braided hairstyles, you run a significant risk of getting tension bumps.
Most people experience tension bumps for a short period, but it can be a recurring issue. The issue with tension bumps is that if they’re brought on by fungi and bacteria, they have a natural tendency to spread.
Symptoms of Tension Bumps
Folliculitis begins as small, red bumps that resemble an acne outbreak. They usually begin at the hairline. The bumps may enlarge and become more inflamed as the condition progresses and spreads to other follicles.
The following are symptoms of scalp folliculitis:
- Clusters of tiny, white-tipped red bumps on the scalp
- Yellowish-brown scabs covering sores
- Blisters that produce pus
- Itching
- A stinging or burning sensation
- Pain or soreness
What Causes Tension Bumps?
Folliculitis is brought on by injury to your follicles, which makes them susceptible to fungi and bacteria that cause infections.
The follicles on your scalp can be damaged by a variety of factors, including:
- Regularly rubbing or scratching your head
- Twisting or pulling your hair
- Wearing tight hairstyles
- Regularly using hats or helmets
- Regularly shaving your head
Home Remedies to Get Rid of Tension Bumps on the Scalp
Now that you know what tension bumps are, their symptoms, and their causes, let’s take a look at the five easiest remedies you can do at home.
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Relieve the Tension
The foremost thing you must do to get rid of tension bumps on the scalp is to relieve the tension.
If a tight hairstyle causes them, open it and let your hair down. Switch to relaxed hairstyles or leave your hair loose for a few weeks. Avoiding tight hairstyles altogether in the future may also help prevent the condition from recurring.
If the tension bumps were caused by shaving, stop shaving for a few weeks or change your shaving technique. For example, if you have been using a hand razor, you can switch to an electric one.
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Drain the Pus
Pus drainage is your body’s natural defense mechanism against infections. If you notice white or yellow pus oozing from the bumps, you should promote it to speed up the healing process.
You can do this by soaking a clean towel in warm water and holding it to the bumps for a few minutes. Then, gently wipe off any pus that was released. You can do this up to thrice a day. However, you must ensure that the towel you use is very clean every single time, so you don’t introduce any more germs to the infected area.
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Use an Anti-dandruff Shampoo
Anti-dandruff shampoos usually contain anti-fungal ingredients such as ketoconazole and tea tree oil. They can clear up the infection and also promote a healthier scalp environment to reduce the chances of contracting an infection again.
Using a 100% natural shampoo containing green tea and tea tree extracts is a great way to get rid of the infection while keeping your hair soft and shiny.
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Use Cortisone Cream
Cortisone cream is a steroid in a cream form that can provide you some relief from itching, burning, and inflammation. It functions by weakening your body’s defense mechanisms. It is available without a prescription from the majority of pharmacies or online.
You can use it up to twice a day in case of mild tension bumps on the scalp. However, ensure that you clean your skin before applying the cream.
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Keep It Clean
Since tension bumps thrive on fungi and bacteria, it’s crucial to keep the skin as well as your products clean. You can use antibacterial soap to clean the affected area once or twice a day.
Apart from that, you must keep your pillows, bedding, hair accessories, combs, and hair brushes clean. If an accessory like a comb or hat comes into contact with the infected skin, wash it right away and ensure it’s clean before the next use.
Tension bumps on the scalp, scientifically known as Scalp Folliculitis, are red, itchy, painful, and sometimes pus-filled bumps on the scalp that may initially look like an acne breakout. They’re often caused by tight hairstyles or shaving and can spread further with fungal or bacterial infections. The remedies given here are simple and can help you get rid of tension bumps and stop them from recurring or spreading.
Dyeing hair with henna has become all the rage these days. However, using henna as a hair dye is far from a recent phenomenon. This is something that has been practiced in various South Asian and Middle Eastern countries since ancient times. The art of using indigo or henna as a plant-based natural hair dye is a centuries-old practice in these regions.
If you’re wondering why it’s catching up in the world again, it’s because henna does more for your hair than just dyeing it. It is widely known that henna helps in strengthening, conditioning, and nourishing your strands from deep within.
If you’re thinking of using henna for your hair or wondering how long the color will last, then this guide is for you. We’ll tell you everything you need to know about henna, from its benefits to aftercare tips. So, let’s jump right into it.
Table of Contents:
- What is Henna?
- Types of Henna
- How to Use Henna for Hair Dyeing?
- How Long Does the Henna Hair Color Last?
- Hair Care Tips After Using Henna
- Wash your hair with the right products
- Avoid sun exposure
- Use a nourishing hair mask
- Hair protection while swimming
What is Henna?
Mehndi, another name for henna in the Middle East and South Asia, is derived from the Sanskrit word mendhikā. It was mostly used for body art in these regions but also has become quite a popular method of hair dyeing.
Before the invention of box hair dyes, this was the only method used for coloring hair in Egypt and India. When applied to hair, henna enhances the natural auburn and brown tones of the hair while also giving a glossy and softening sheen to the hair strands.
Henna is obtained from the Lawsonia inermis, specifically the leaves of the henna plant. This plant is usually found in the Mediterranean region; however, it can also be found in semi-arid and tropical regions of the world these days.
The leaves of this plant are ground into powdered form, which is combined with water to make a paste. This is then applied to the hair. Henna contains a molecule that bonds to the proteins of the hair. It is also known to contain antimicrobial and antibacterial properties.
There are various traditional recipes for making henna hair dye in South Asian countries. Some people even like to add coffee and tea (tannin-containing liquids) to enhance the staining potential of the henna hair dye. Besides covering the greys, this natural hair dye also strengthens the hair from deep within.
Types of Henna
There are basically three varieties of Henna that you can use:
- Natural Henna
This is the pure form of henna that stains the hair with a rich brown color. If you apply natural henna to your hair, the hair color will darken with time. If you want a henna hair dyeing solution without any chemicals, then natural henna is the right choice for you.
- Neutral Henna
This henna is obtained from a plant known as Senna Italica. As is evident from its name, it doesn’t impart any color to the hair. If you want to use henna to condition your hair without dyeing it, then this is the best choice.
- Black Henna
This type of henna is made from indigo, and it often contains chemicals and dyes. People often go with this if they don’t like the red tint that comes with natural henna. However, black henna with chemicals can be harmful to the hair, so it’s better to use pure indigo powder if you’re interested in dyeing your hair black naturally.
How to Use Henna for Hair Dyeing?
When water is added to henna, a tannic substance known as lawsone becomes activated. This then binds to the hair protein (keratin) to stain the hair strands with a rich reddish-brown color. To achieve a darker shade, you can also mix henna with tea and 1-2 tablespoons of vinegar or lemon.
Essential oils like tea tree and eucalyptus can also help in setting the dye better in your hair.
Now that you know how it works, let’s go through the application process:
- Apply henna on towel-dried, clean hair.
- Wrap the hair in plastic to prevent hair from drying out.
- Leave the henna in the hair for 1 to 3 hours.
- Gently rinse out the henna from your hair.
How Long Does the Henna Hair Color Last?
Henna is a permanent hair color, so the question of the color getting washed off doesn’t arise here. However, the vibrancy of the color can diminish after some time, which is why reapplication is essential.
After you’ve applied henna to your hair, the hair color from the henna will remain vivid and rich for four to six weeks. As you keep applying henna to your hair, the color will keep building, which will give your hair a more multidimensional look. So, hair dyeing with henna is essentially a continuous process.
The vibrancy of the henna hair dye depends on certain factors, such as:
- How long was the mixture left on the hair?
- If there was any liquid used during the mixing process?
- How was the mixture washed from the hair?
If you apply henna correctly on your hair and keep up with some essential haircare practices, you’ll find that the henna hair color will remain constant.
Hair Care Tips After Using Henna
Henna is an excellent chemical-free and natural way to dye your hair; however, it can also leave your hair dry. If you’re using black henna, which comes with some chemical dyes added to it, it can affect your hair texture adversely too. Here are some haircare tips to follow after henna application:
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Wash your hair with the right products
When washing your hair after henna application, it’s best to use a sulfate-free shampoo to clarify your hair. This is because shampoos containing sulfates can fade the vibrancy of the hair color.
Also, henna can sometimes make your hair dry, so using sulfate-containing products can make it even drier and coarse. The same goes for conditioners too. The right conditioners can help in enhancing the natural sheen of your henna-dyed hair while keeping it moisturized.
It’s a good idea to pick shampoos and conditioners made from natural ingredients. Here are some of our recommendations:
- Wow Skin Science Coconut Milk Shampoo
- Wow Skin Science Himalayan Rose Shampoo
- Wow Skin Science Coconut & Avocado Natural Hair Conditioner
- Wow Skin Science Green Tea And Tea Tree Conditioner
- Wow Skin Science Moroccan ArganOil Shampoo and Conditioner
