Scalp acne can be treated with a variety of products and lifestyle changes. Here are some details on the positive and negative aspects of different treatments, as well as ingredients or materials to look for:
Topical, medicated treatments:
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Positive: Can be bought without a prescription. Common ingredients include salicylic acid, which helps to clear dead skin cells by breaking down the bonds between them, and glycolic acid, which can help exfoliate the scalp and remove dead skin cells, bacteria, and sebum. Benzoyl peroxide is an antibacterial ingredient that helps to eliminate the bacteria Propionibacterium acnes, which can be present in scalp acne. Topical clindamycin, erythromycin, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or glycolic acid may be prescribed by a dermatologist.
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Negative: May not be effective for severe cases of scalp acne.
Oral treatments:
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Positive: Can be prescribed by a doctor for severe cases of scalp acne.
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Negative: May have side effects.
Shampoos:
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Positive: Can be purchased over the counter. Anti-dandruff shampoos that contain selenium sulfide, tar, or zinc pyrithione can be effective. Ketoconazole shampoo is another good option. Salicylic acid shampoo can help ease inflammation and unclog pores.
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Negative: Some scalp acne shampoos can strip the hair and scalp, potentially leading to more breakouts.
Lifestyle changes:
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Positive: Can help prevent further flare-ups of scalp acne. Wearing looser-fitting headgear, washing hair soon after exercise, avoiding using too many hair products, eating a diet that can help boost skin health, and keeping a food diary to see if certain foods cause flare-ups can all be helpful.
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Negative: May not be effective for severe cases of scalp acne.
When looking for products to treat scalp acne, look for ingredients like salicylic acid, tea tree oil, and zinc, which can help break down clogged pores and soothe inflammation. Avoid potential pore-clogging or irritating ingredients, such as mineral oil and coconut oil, and fragrances or specific ingredients that you may be sensitive to.
