Ever wonder why you experience acne breakouts on your forehead? Well, it may be due to the pomade you are
using to style your tresses. Pomade acne is a constant battle for women of
African descent where the desire to obtain a beautiful coif can wreak havoc on
the skin.Pomade acne is a condition caused by continuous usage of oil-based pomade or hair oil that comes in contact with the skin. The excessive oil in the area of application clogs pores and thus causing acne.
Persons of African
descent have hair which is tightly coiled in structure and the scalp oils do
not reach the hair shaft due to the hair structure leaving the hair dry.
Pomades, moisturizers, and oils containing olive, tea tree, mineral oil, and
petrolatum are commonly used by persons of African descent as a lubricant for
dry hair and make styling manageable. Many hair pomades have ingredients which
are comedogenic. The acne lesions are typically seen on the forehead and
temples forming of acne vulgaris (blackheads and whiteheads), cysts, papules and
pustules.
If you are experiencing pomade acne, eliminate the usage of pomades and
heavy oils all together. Or, you if you must use oil to style your hair try to
use a light oil such as jojoba oil. Apply the oil about an inch away from your
hairline and rub down to the ends of your hair. Be sure to clean your hands
thoroughly of any oil before touching your face. The pomade acne should begin
to clear. If does not clear then you can treat it with an acne topical
treatment. Contact a dermatologist who
specializes in skin of color if the acne persists.
Have you ever experienced pomade acne? If so, how did you treat it?
