7 Scalp Pimple Treatments That Work, According to Derms

Rinse Regularly

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. Consider this your PSA to put away the dry shampoo (which is likely causing extra buildup and congestion anyway), and hit the showers sans suds.

Lather Intentionally

When you are ready for a thorough wash, look for shampoos to treat scalp acne with ingredients like salicylic acid, coal tar, or cortisone. We like Sachajuan's Scalp Shampoo, which contains the former. 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.

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, delaying healing time and further irritating it.

Even with dandruff, you can get a rash that looks like pimples. They might not technically be acne, but 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: Hands off.

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 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 Act+Acre's Cold-Pressed Salicylic Acid Scalp Exfoliator, rather 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.

Avoid Adding Oils

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.

Avoid using thick or greasy hair products that will leave a film behind, too. 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.

Use Acne Products

You can treat mild scalp acne with most over-the-counter acne products on the market, although you may want to avoid formulas 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.

Check With Your Derm

If you're finding frequent breakouts on your scalp, there's a singular wise method of treatment. As Greenfield puts it: "Bottom line: Check with your dermatologist. A dermatologist can help you categorize the types of breakouts you're seeing and figure out the best treatment. It's important to have a dermatologist evaluate any blemishes because other more serious diseases, like cutaneous lupus and lichen planopilaris, can also result in spots on the scalp. These can be treated as well but require closer attention by your dermatologist."