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Scalp acne

Acne can occur on the scalp much like it can on the face and on the rest of the body. However, the scalp can be harder to treat topically because the hair gets in the way. The good news is that scalp acne is often much less noticeable because the hair covers its appearance. Many people get occasional pimples on the scalp and simply let them be. I myself have experienced pimples from time to time on my scalp and I simply ignore them. While lesions on the scalp can tend to be tender and sore, they usually clear on their own within a week or so.

What to avoid: Avoiding oily products is a good preventative measure against scalp acne. Styling products sometimes contain oils that can aggravate acne. Styling products can also contain other irritating ingredients. If you’re battling with some scalp acne, try forgoing your usual styling products for a week or two and see if that helps clear you up. Some hair conditioners also contain heavy humectants which can irritate acne-prone skin. Again, if you’re struggling with scalp acne, try using only a gentle shampoo for your hair and not using conditioner for a week or two and see if that helps.

Treatment options: You can treat acne on the scalp with many of the medications used to treat acne on the rest of the face and body. One exception is benzoyl peroxide, which tends to bleach hair in some people. This outcome is sometimes desired and sometimes not. Unfortunately, I have found that proper use of benzoyl peroxide is the best way to get rid of acne. Other medications like salicylic acid can easily be applied to the scalp with the fingers or with a cotton ball, but unfortunately do not tend to work very well. People on the acne.org messageboards have also been experimenting with dandruff shampoo to treat their body acne, so shampooing with a dandruff shampoo may be a good option for the scalp as well. Ingredients in dandruff shampoo such as zinc have been shown to be beneficial to acne prone skin, and antifungal ingredients in dandruff shampoo like ketoconazole or ciclopirox may be able to help with scalp folliculitis (see below).

Scalp folliculitis: Scalp folliculitis is a hair follicle disorder which can result in widespread, itchy breakouts, often along the hairline. It is thought to be caused by bacteria and yeasts. If you think you have folliculitis, see your doctor for prescription therapy. Therapy for scalp folliculitis may include antibiotic, antifungal, antihistamine, and/or steroidal agents.