If you do get scalp acne, are there special precautions you must take in order to treat and prevent them? Turns out, the answer is both. And depending where you get your zits, each area may have unique triggers. For the scalp: “Most people experience them closer to the hairline for two reasons: Your face cream or makeup may not get washed off properly and still remain in your hairline. And the hairline is often neglected when shampooing, thus leaving natural hair oil on the scalp,” says certified trichologist Shab Reslan. You can also spot-treat the areas, in the same way you might on the face. Just take your favorite natural acne spot treatment or blackhead remover and dab it on the area. Just, perhaps, avoid thick, rinse-off products (like clay masks) as they will be harder to remove: Getting a dense mask stuck on your scalp may worsen the issue, as it will stick around, causing buildup. The problem, of course, is that picking leads to acne scars. These scars pose a special problem along the hairline, especially. When you damage a hair follicle, it will weaken regrowth. If the damage is severe enough, it may cause the hair to shed entirely and (gulp) never grow back1. So acne scars in the area could cause an uneven hairline if bad enough. If skipping your styling routine is nonnegotiable, just be sure you are properly rinsing out the products regularly. If you don’t know how often you should be shampooing, consult our guide to shampooing your hair.
