Have you ever run your fingers through your hair and felt a tiny bump that resembles a pimple? The weird news: It probably was a pimple. Similar to face acne, acne on the scalp is inflammation that occurs due to excess sebum or congested hair follicles. The good news: Scalp acne is manageable—with the right ingredients and cleansing habits.

What Causes Scalp Acne?

According to clinical aesthetician Jennifer Gerace at Jason Emer, MD in Los Angeles, “Many factors can contribute to scalp acne. The most common causes are poor hygiene, diet and hormone imbalance for women. Headwear and hair products, such as heavy conditioners and products that contain wax also can be a cause.” Although many people experience an occasional pimple on the scalp, there are some who are more prone it. “Any time we see a change in hormones—for example: puberty, your menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause—we also see a breakout of acne.”

How to Treat Scalp Acne

Although scalp acne can be hard to treat, certain ingredients can help manage the inflammation and heal these troubled areas. “There are several forms of medicated shampoo on the market that use different active ingredients to treat common scalp issues,” says Gerace.

Ingredients to Look For

“Look for ingredients like tea tree oil, zinc and one percent pyrithione,” says Gerace. “Salicylic acid and retinolic acid—a blend of retinol and glycolic acid—are also useful in keeping scalp breakouts under control, while spironolactone and Accutane are very effective drugs that are often prescribed for cystic acne and in cases that are resistant to other treatments.”

Gerace continues, “Hormonally-induced acne can be hard to treat, but low-dose estrogen and progestin birth control pills, androgen pills and receptor blockers may help with regulating hormones. As women with acne tend to have higher levels of androgens, birth control pills that only contain progestin may make acne worse.”

Related Reading: The Acne and Birth Control Connection

It’s Okay to Use Facial Products

To save you time and money, Gerace says it’s perfectly fine to use the same products you would use on your face to treat scalp acne like retinol and salicylic acid. “Retinol will increase cellular turnover, while the salicylic acid slows bacterial growth.” She also suggests incorporating colloidal silver into your acne-treating regimen. “Silver naturally holds onto oxygen molecules, which readily react with the sulfhydryl (H) groups that surround bacterial and viruses. In turn, this helps block the life-preserving cellular process known as cellular respiration.”

How to Prevent Future Breakouts

When it comes to preventing future breakouts, regulating your hormones is very important. Incorporating antibacterial ingredients in your daily routine and keeping heavy conditioners away from your scalp will also help prevent any flare-ups. “When applying your conditioner, try only to use it on the ends of the hair and when you use a medicated shampoo focus just on the scalp,” says Gerace. “Leave the shampoo on the scalp for five minutes to allow the ingredients to activate and work.”

Many of us women have hair somewhere on our bodies that we want removed. The question is, what’s the best way to get rid of it? If you’re tired of shaving and want results that last longer, waxing can be a great DIY option. To get the best possible advice on the matter, we consulted esthetician Jamie Grieb-Spragg, owner of Westlake Skin Spa in Westlake Village, California, who has been helping clients with their body hair woes for nearly a decade.

1. Preparation Is Key

According to Grieb-Spragg, it is essential to properly cleanse your skin prior to waxing. She also recommends showering with warm water beforehand, as “the steam will also allow the pores and follicles to become more soft and supple.” Grieb-Spragg also shares one her favorite, lesser known tips with us: “Apply a warm, microfiber towel specifically on the area to be treated, right before you wax it. Unlike traditional towels that simply push dirt back and forth, microfiber towels pick up all traces of dirt, oil and debris.”

In addition to cleansing the skin, you’ll want to make sure your hair is grown out to at least a quarter of an inch so the wax has something to grip onto. If you’re a first-time waxer, we recommend using a topical analgesic cream to prevent irritation and help numb the top layers of skin before waxing. For a cooling and hydrating sensation pre-wax, try Dr. Edna’s Bare Ease, which also soothes the skin with aloe vera.

2. Know When Not to Wax 

Consider the state of your skin before deciding to wax at home.  As women, we already have a lot to worry about (especially during that time of the month) and the last thing we want is to add a painful waxing experience to our list of period-woes! Grieb-Spragg suggests avoiding “any form of waxing within the four to five days leading up to your period. Our skin is exceptionally more sensitive during this time, which can increase your risk for excessive bleeding, ingrown hairs and even cystic growths.” 

If it isn’t that time of the month for you and you normally have overall healthy skin, our expert still recommends being careful and cautious. “Any open sores of any kind should be strictly avoided when it comes to waxing. This includes lesions, burns, bug bites, moles and beauty marks,” Grieb-Spragg explains. She also advises against waxing if you have any type of pre-existing skin sensitivity, such as rosacea. All in all, if your pre-waxed skin is feeling iffy, it may be best to wax on a later date or find a different method of hair removal.

3. Choose the Right Type of Wax for the Job

Hard Wax: “Typically, hard waxes are reserved for removing only our most stubborn and coarse hairs, like our bikini line and nose hairs,” Grieb-Spragg explains. “Not only do hard waxes provide the grip necessary for latching onto and removing thick hairs, but they also provide for more precision in how they are applied”. While we all want those stubborn hairs removed quickly, hard wax can be a little more difficult to handle, as it dries very quickly.

Hot Wax: “Hot wax is typically more forgiving,” says Grieb-Spragg. While hard wax may be able to grab the stubborn hairs, hot wax is easier to work with and may be the best bet for waxing beginners. “It’s easier to spread and manipulate and doesn’t dry out as quickly as hard wax generally does,” explains Grieb-Spragg. If you are waxing a larger area of the body, hot wax is the preferable option. We recommend the Bliss Poetic Waxing Kit, ideal even for beginners.

4. Aftercare Is Everything

While there are many consumer products available for waxing aftercare, Grieb-Spragg ensures that “simplicity is key.” She elaborates further: “Keep the waxed areas as clean as possible for a few hours following. If you have residual wax remaining on the skin, apply olive oil or coconut oil to a cotton round and rub in gentle circles until removed.” The great part of using natural oils is that they will also help in hydrating the surrounding skin. Final tip from our expert? “Avoid any lotions or creams that contain fragrances, as these can cause irritation,” says Grieb-Spragg.

5. Consider Your Hair-Removal Options

Depending on the area of your body and the results desired, shaving and depilatory creams can be good alternatives to waxing if this is your first time attempting to remove hair. While there are many ways to remove unwanted body hair, Grieb-Spragg only recommends those two options for doing it yourself. “Other than depilatories, shaving, and waxing options, the other methods of hair removal should be left only to the utmost of reputable professionals,” explains Grieb-Spragg.

6. If All Else Fails, Seek a Professional

If you’re still not feeling confident about waxing at home, the safest bet is to go see a licensed esthetician. Grieb-Spragg explains that “waxing is a feasible at-home option, but only for those who are willing to take on the responsibility seriously. It requires time, proper prepping and careful practice. For those feeling uncertain or apprehensive, it’s best to seek the expertise of a qualified professional—at least the first time around.”

We all have those days when we just don’t feel like styling our hair (some of us more than others, *cough cough*). You may have overslept, have your hands full with work or kids or are having a bad hair day and need a quick fix.

Fortunately, for those days when you’re pressed for time or energy, you can still look like you didn’t press snooze four times. Below, lifestyle and beauty blogger Hayley Paige shows us how to create three versatile, easy 5-minute hairstyles. She creates each look in under five minutes using just three tools:

• The Beachwaver® Co. – Beachwaver S1
• Harry Josh Pro Tools – Detangling Brush
• Harry Josh Pro Tools – Pro Styling Clips

Quick Tip: Really, really pressed for time? Skip the curling iron. You’ll still get a chic look in a minute or two.

Hairstyle Instructions

1. Create beachy waves using a one-inch curling iron. Hayley uses the Beachwaver S1, which “has a small clamp that makes it really easy to prevent kinks.” Plus, its automatic curl function lets you create effortless defined curls or looser waves, without having to wrap the hair around the barrel yourself. For a more natural, wind-swept look, curl your hair away from your face.

2. Tease the top section of your hair to add volume and texture, and then secure with an elastic.

3. Take the hair in your ponytail and flip it under the elastic, creating a twist effect. Pull on some of the pieces in the twist to get a looser, more textured look.

4. Brush out your hair to soften the look of the curls, and you’re good to go.

Hairstyle Instructions

Hayley says this hairstyle is “perfect for day-two or three hair that is in need of washing.”

1. Add a slight curl to your hair or use a texturizing product to make your hair easier to work with. Hayley uses the one-inch Beachwaver curling iron to curl her hair away from her face before beginning.

2. Separate two one-inch sections toward the front of your hair.

3. Secure the rest of your hair with an elastic. Then, flip the ponytail over the elastic to create a twist effect.

4. Separate two smaller sections from the front of your hairline and twist away from your face. Secure on each side (toward the back of your head) with bobby pins.

5. Take all of the hair not secured in the first ponytail and secure with an elastic on top of the first ponytail.

6. Repeating step 3, flip the new ponytail over the elastic, then pull that hair through the bottom ponytail.

7. Wrap all of your hair over the top of both elastics several times, until you no longer have any hair hanging down.

8. Secure the hair with bobby pins.

9. Optional: Hayley likes to “pull out a few extra pieces for a lived-in look and curl loosely.”

Hairstyle Instructions

“Although it looks complicated, it only takes a few minutes and two products,” says Hayley.

1. Add texture and waves with a curling iron. “I’m using a one-inch Beachwaver curling iron to create loose, effortless waves that I will later brush out,” she explains.

2. Take one small section from each side of your hairline, and twist the sections toward the back-middle of your head. Secure the sections together with a clear elastic.

3. Repeat 4 more times, securing each new section below the previous.

4. Secure all of the ponytails together with a larger elastic, positioned below the smaller ones.

5. Pull a couple of pieces out toward the front, and brush through the ends of your hair for a looser, more relaxed look.

Those blissful weeks between Memorial Day and Labor Day seem to fly by, especially with naps in the park under the sweet, warm sunshine and vacation hopping with those you love most. But while the sweat, sand, salt and the vibe of summer is pretty much unparalleled to any season, it does have a major impact on your skin.

Not only do the hot temperatures and humidity dry out your pores, but sweat can clog them, and constant sun exposure can cause early signs of aging and pose potential UV dangers. Luckily, experts say a check-up visit with your dermatologist, a professional in-office treatment and some at-home remedies can give your skin the post-summer detox it craves and needs.

Here are some ideas for cleansing and repairing your skin, just in time for the leaves to fall and the air to cool.

For Sun-Damaged Skin: Chemical Peel and Microdermabrasion

During the summertime, dermatologists shy away from performing chemical peels. Why? Because this in-office procedure exfoliates your skin, revealing a fresh layer that can be vulnerable to sun exposure. But in the fall season, cosmetic physician Dr. Stanley Kovak says chemical peels and microdermabrasion are an ideal course of action right after summer, before fall activities start booking up your calendar. Because you’ll need at least a few days up to a week to recover at home, you want to make sure you block out healing time. If you do decide to do this treatment at home, Dr. Kovak recommends selecting a mild chemical peel and a device with a diamond tip to remove the top layer of sun-damaged skin.

Try: Trophy Skin Microderm MD Diamond Peeling

For Skin Discoloration: Fraxel Laser Treatments

For a more intensive post-summer treatment, director of cosmetic and clinical research at dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, Joshua Zeichner, suggests trying a fraxel laser treatment to truly exfoliate, cleanse and improve your skin. “Oftentimes, high levels of sun exposure can cause excess pigmentation and damage to skin cells themselves,” he explains. “Lasers like fraxel are ideal to use as part of your post-summer skin rehab routine.” How does it work? Dr. Zeichner explains fraxels punch tiny holes in your skin and the laser creates a controlled wound, allowing the skin to heal itself in a more “cosmetically acceptable manner.” “The laser improves skin tone and texture and even helps undo precancerous changes to skin cells themselves,” he adds.

Related Read: Brightening Peels: How They Work and What Ingredients to Look For

For Fine Lines and Wrinkles: Retinol Creams

For most who are starting to consider anti-aging measures, finding a retinol or tretinoin product is key. Retinol products have been used for decades, working to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. However, due to their photoreactive nature, they can make your skin more susceptible to sun damage, so they’re usually not recommended in the summertime. In the fall, though, they can be used more frequently, as long as you don’t experience redness or pain. Dermatologist Dr. Janet H. Prystowsky explains these creams work to gradually shed a layer of skin, not only cleansing your skin from summer’s impact, but making it look younger, too. She also adds that skin-brightening serums—both with vitamin C or without it—can also improve the condition of your pores, without being as intense as retinol varieties.

Try: Avène Retrinal 0.1 Intensive Cream 

For Sun Spots on Face, Chest and Arms: Photofacial Laser Treatment

While you might have been hyperfocused on reapplying sunscreen to your face, it’s not just your cheeks and forehead that battled through summer. As Dr. Kovak explains, your neck, chest and hands also received a big brunt of UV exposure and they deserve some autumn TLC, too. To repair other parts of your body, he suggests opting for a photofacial laser treatment, which is a more extensive rejuvenation treatment that improves the overall look of the skin by diminishing brown spots and blotchiness, while improving collagen and elastic fibers throughout your skin’s several layers. How does it work? Pulses of light are used to penetrate deep into your skin, which causes your blood vessels to constrict. It’s not painful, but it requires a little downtime post-treatment.

Related Read: Dermatologist Answers: Which Laser Treatment Is Right for Me?

For Replenishing Moisture: At-Home Hydration Treatments

For a more low-key approach to fall treatments, remember just one to-do list item after you get home from work: moisturize! As Dr. Kovak reminds, “Rejuvenating the skin after the summer’s damage is important for the overall appearance and health of our skin and ultimately prepares us for the winter season, which can be as damaging to our skin as the summer season,” he says. While you’re cooking dinner (or tuning in to the return of your favorite primetime shows), apply a moisturizing face mask that will seep into your pores, helping them to replenish after weeks of dry heat. He also adds that your morning routine should still consist of applying moisturizer with an SPF, but that you can opt for a thicker formula, now that summer is coming to a close. And if you do nothing else, drink plenty of water! Good old fashioned H2O is always a smart choice for your skin as it keeps it fresh, hydrated and healthy.

Try: Phytomer Hydra Original Thirst-Relief Melting Cream

For Your Feet: Lactic Acid Moisturizers

Consider everything your feet have been through the past few months: trekking down stony or sandy beaches, squeezing into damp water shoes, trailblazing through rocky paths in thick hiking boots, fighting sweat (and ahem, stink) in athletic shoes and much more. Dr. Prystowsky recommends giving them a tad more attention as you approach the fall season, especially if they’re feeling rough or cracked. To their rescue is lactic acid moisturizers. “The lactic acid exfoliates to reveal fresher and softer skin beneath it,” she explains.

Related Read: These Exfoliating Socks Made Our Feet Baby-Soft and Smooth

Everyone knows the term clogged pores. But this commonplace facial condition allures toward the ambiguous. What exactly are the pores clogged with? What does it mean? And how can one unclog them? The internet yields a number of remedies to unclog your pores ranging from the gentle to the extreme. We sat down with some experts in the field—dermatologist Yuri M. Kim, MO and esthetician Karoly Spring—to figure out the best way to unclog your pores, with or without the presence of an acne breakout and also to look a bit further into the internet’s most viral unclogging trend.

What’s Clogging Your Pores?

According to Dr. Kim, “Clogged pores occur when oil, dirt or dead skin cells start to build up. This can be caused by makeup, not having a good skin care regimen, bacteria, sweat, excessive oil production and even hormones.” Clogged pores often catch a pointed finger as an acne-causing culprit, which is not unfounded. However, clogged pores are not the sole cause of acne.

This buildup of dirt, oil and dead skin blocks and clogs your pores thus making your skin prone to possible acne breakouts. The signs of clogged pores are pretty tell-tale. Dermatologists and estheticians, alike, confirm that the presence of blackheads and whiteheads means that your skin could benefit from a refreshing cleanse.

“Sometimes patients may start to develop whiteheads or blackheads under the skin. If there is more inflammation, then that is when the ‘pimples’ start to form. The face will look dull and not refreshed,” says Dr. Kim. Spring agrees and adds: “You can also feel your face with your fingers and notice a bumpy, rough surface.”

The Problem With the Viral Pore-Unclogging Videos

Social media is saturated with these addicting-to-watch videos. The videos situate a well-lit shot, framed shoulders-up of some wide-grinning millennials seemingly covering their faces with charcoal paint. Clever editing and a speedy time-lapse show the paint hardening into a face mask. And then: bam! The climax. The moment we all stalled on the video to see—the peel off. The satisfyingly slow pull and peel shows the viewer just how clogged pores can be, and by the same token, the necessity of the face mask to unclog and prevent acne.

This viral face regimen has stormed the internet in droves; however, because of the very nature of the digital sphere, cutting and editing omits some of the less glamorous sides the compelling face mask pull. Many of the popular products have harsh ingredients that do not bode well on sensitive skin. Also the very act of the pull can be too aggressive, removing skin and doing more damage than it’s worth. “There should be little to no pain when unclogging your pores,” says Spring. “The right preparation and ingredients make a great difference.”

A Better Way to Unclog and Cleanse Your Pores

Dr. Kim suggests preparation, a regimented skin care routine and a couple of ingredients to look for when seeking a remedy that won’t be too rough for your skin: “Over-the-counter washes with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid may help with clogged pores. These can help exfoliate your skin and help open up your pores.”

Across the vast skin disciple, various experts agree that, while clogged pores can certainly lead to acne problems, the face mask sensation sweeping the digital realm may not be the most effective treatment. Rather, a regimen rooted in gentility, adept research and expertise advice will leave your skin feeling rejuvenated and alive.