Spots on your scalp: how do you treat scalp acne?
HLN, 7 October 2023
In HLN, Dr Griet Voet explains what causes scalp acne, why ordinary shampoo is not enough and how to prevent hair loss.
Acne can also hide in your hair. In HLN, Dr Griet Voet explains that in scalp acne the hair follicles become inflamed, usually due to a skin bacterium that everyone has. It mainly affects boys from puberty onwards, but women can get it too.
Factors such as shaving too short, curly hair, greasy hair products, caps and, in people prone to acne, protein shakes can trigger it. Ordinary shampoos or prescription creams for facial acne are usually not enough; antibiotics or isotretinoin are sometimes needed.
Treatment is important: long-term inflammation can damage the hair follicles and lead to permanent bald patches.
Key advice
Keep your hands off the spots.
Avoid greasy hair products such as hair oils.
Wash pillowcases and sheets weekly at 60 degrees.
If you are prone to acne, be careful with protein shakes.
“Wash your pillowcases and sheets every week at 60 degrees” — Dr Griet Voet
Want to know more? Read about Hair and scalp disorders at Clinique Dermatologie Gent.