Here's Why You're Getting Pimples on Your Scalp (And What to Do)

Lather, Rinse, Repeat

If you are prone to oily hair, scalp acne could be caused by an excess of oil. You'll want to be sure you're washing with water every other day, even if you skip the shampoo—especially after workouts. Schultz agrees that washing your hair to prevent excess oil is super important. Look for shampoos with ingredients like salicylic acid, coal tar, or cortisone. Salicylic acid and coal tar are meant to help reduce dandruff and oil production on your scalp, while cortisone helps treat inflammation and dryness. A shampoo with cortisone is normally only available in the doctor's office, so be sure to check with your dermatologist.

If you prefer your regular shampoo because it's volumizing or makes your hair silky soft, feel free to go in for a second shampoo after using an acne-formulated shampoo.

We love this product for clearing buildup and soothing itchiness. Plus, its price for the quality can't be beat.

Sachajuan's Scalp Shampoo is fantastic for removing dandruff and soothing an irritated scalp, thanks to ingredients such as Piroctone Olamine and Climbazole.

Don't Pick

If you must touch a pimple on your scalp, avoid picking and scratching at it as much as possible. Popping or scratching the spot can allow bacteria to enter it, delaying healing time and further irritating it.

Even with dandruff, you can get a rash that looks like pimples. Even though they aren't technically acne, they can still itch like crazy. "They get even crustier when you pick at them, which everybody does," Schultz says. The same rule for pimples goes for this rash, too: Hands off.

If the pimple is super itchy, try gently pressing on it instead. Adding some pressure can help take away the itch, plus it doesn't open up the pimple.

Remember to Exfoliate

Using an exfoliating scalp treatment once a week can help clear your scalp of any excess dry skin. Tea-tree oil, as an antibacterial ingredient, is an exception to other oils and can also be used to treat acne (as you would on your face) by adding a drop to your shampoo—but a little goes a long way here. Too much oil may make your acne worse (more on that later).

Although exfoliating helps remove excess oil and dry skin, it's better to stick to chemical exfoliants (like salicylic or glycolic acid) than physical exfoliants. "The problem on the scalp is already irritation, and I'm afraid that a physical exfoliator is going to cause too much irritation," Schultz says.

If you feel you must use a physical exfoliant, stick to something gentle, and only use it when your scalp isn't seriously irritated.

Briogeo's exfoliating scalp revival shampoo works for scalps irritated by oil or dryness. All hair types—straight, wavy, curly, and coily—can benefit from this scrub.

A facial for your scalp? Sign us up. Alterna Hair Care's Caviar Clinical Exfoliating Scalp Facial is the perfect pre-poo pamper to promote healthy hair growth. Gently massage into a wet scalp one section at a time and rinse thoroughly before shampooing and conditioning. We love that the scrub brush tip elevates things to a spa-level experience.

Avoid Adding Oils

Avoid using thick or greasy hair products that will leave a film behind. Keep hair repair treatments and deep conditioning masks away from the scalp. Instead, use them to treat damaged ends, as these can lend excess oil to the roots—the same goes for your everyday conditioner.

Many people with acne or severe dandruff suffer from an excess of oil on the scalp. Even though oils are great for moisturizing your hair, they can cause buildup on your scalp: "You don't want to feed fuel to the fire; you don't want to put oil on acne," Schultz says.

Don't Be Afraid to Use Acne Products

You can treat mild scalp acne with most any over-the-counter acne product on the market, although you may want to avoid products containing benzoyl peroxide because they can lead to bleaching or discoloration of hair. A light moisturizer containing salicylic acid is a good option for small spots on your scalp, and it won't bleach your hair either. But if your acne continues or gets really severe, consider talking to a dermatologist about an oral or topical medication that might work better for you.