As anyone who has been a seventh-grader hacking away at their fringe in front of the bathroom mirror, cutting bangs is a major hair decision. You already have to consider your hair texture, length, and style when deciding on your new bangs. But there's one thing you may not have considered: Skin type.
If forehead acne (also known as "pomade acne" or "hairline acne") is the unpleasant new side effect of your new bangs, we're here to help. "Bangs may contribute to forehead acne, especially if oily or waxy hair products spread to the nearby skin of the face and block pores. Bangs may also trap oil, dirt, and sweat, increasing the risk of breakouts," says David Lortscher, a board-certified dermatologist in San Francisco. "Hair products can make you break out or irritate skin by increasing a tendency to clogged pores in some skin types, and by inducing inflammation in the skin, which can cause an acne breakout."
Since hair-care products aren't designed to be applied on skin, their pore-clogging power isn't tested, which means that altering your hair-care routine isn't as simple as searching for the "non-comedogenic" label. Still, there are plenty of ways to keep skin clear under the fringe. We spoke to the experts to find out how. Follow this guide to clear up forehead acne.
Keep them away.
The best way to solve your forehead acne issues is to remove the culprit — your bangs. That's the easiest solution, but not the most fun (you cut them so cute for a reason). When you are out of the spotlight, try to tuck your bangs away to let your skin breathe. Wear a scarf at night, a headband at the gym, or a shower cap when you do deep-conditioning treatments.
Timing is everything.
"If breakouts are a concern with bangs, it’s best to avoid having them during the very hot and humid months of the year, where dirt, oil, and debris are more likely," says Juan Carlos Maciques, senior hairstylist at the Oscar Blandi Salon in New York City. Cut your bangs to the timing of the seasons —if you first chop them in September, they'll be long enough to pull back in a ponytail by June.
Read ingredient labels.
Certain ingredients in hair products may cause acne, so if a product is rubbing on your forehead throughout the day, you may want to adjust your hair-care routine. Lortscher advises his patients to avoid coconut oil and sodium laureth sulfate, ingredients that may be in your styling products.
Do your laundry.
"At night, on the same pillowcase, dirt can transfer onto your skin," says Maciques. He suggests swapping out your sheets regularly to ensure that oil trapped in your pillowcase doesn't worm its way back onto your skin. For optimal skin benefits, we love silk sheets and pillowcases.
Start an evening ritual.
To reduce the amount of time your bangs sped resting on your forehead, Maciques suggests pinning bangs back while you sleep. "Just keep in mind the styling might be a bit more challenging in the morning," he explains. Give yourself a few extra mirror minutes in the AM to compensate —and make sure to choose a barrette that works with your hair type.
Rinse and repeat.
"If you don't wash your hair every day, you can always just shampoo your bangs each morning," says Maciques. For a "more extreme route," he suggests styling your bangs and then cleansing your face after, making sure that you start the day with a product-free forehead.
