Many of us experience acne. Many of us experience different kinds of acne: black, white, red, painful, yellow, big, small, annoying, inhibiting, on the face, on the chest, on the back, over places, under places—what a headache. We try to contain our acne, and it explodes somewhere else while we’re not looking. The frustration escalates to the point where we’re infuriated, staring ourselves down in the bathroom mirror, with screaming eyes: this is not me. With utmost conviction (this is not me), I don’t deserve this; I’m ready to fulfill the life I want to live... but this skin (that’s not mine) is stopping me. Out of nowhere, we begin realizing acne on our scalps. Our scalps—the last place we’d expect. And you’d think, “At least it’s not visible; I’m freed from the embarrassment.” But what it lacks in drawing attention, it makes up for in causing pain.

What you’re dealing with is called necrotica miliaris, also known as (a form of) folliculitis. Its development is most prevalent in those with exceptionally oily hair. Naturally, any oily and moist environment attracts bacteria much easier than a dry environment. So on a microscopic level, your oily scalp is retaining bacteria and dust from the air very well. In turn, this causes your pores to clog up and inflame, leaving you with painful cysts and whiteheads. It’s no accident that the majority of these pimples are appearing on the back of your scalp; when you’re sleeping, it’s usually the back and sides of your head that are pressed against the pillow. Throughout the night, oil from your scalp is absorbed by the sheets, and that same section of your pillow is likely to meet with your scalp the following night. This creates a dirty cycle.

• A precaution for scalp acne treatment you should take is to replace your pillowcase, every other night. You might not have a wealth of pillowcases in your linen closet, and seven to eight more pillowcases may absorb more from your wallet than they will from your scalp. Alternatively, you may want to use old shirts as substitutes, as well as simply turning your pillow over. This will buy you a few extra nights until your next laundry day.

The main focus—and this cannot be forgotten—is mindful hygiene. That is, gaining awareness of how your body reacts to various products. If you’re using gel or mousse, or any other harsh chemicals in your hair, you may want to seriously consider abolishing them. It may benefit you to shorten your hair too. Shorter hair translates to less oil retention. The shampoo you’re using is likely to be contributing to your acne as well. Shampoos with sulfates, shampoos with artificial fragrance, shampoos that aren’t designed for sensitive skin can negatively affect your situation and you may be hurting yourself unknowingly.

*In case you’re wondering exactly what sulfates are, they’re inexpensive detergents used in making shampoo. Under the ingredient lists of shampoos, you’ll commonly see Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) or also ALS, which stands for Ammonium. These are chemical chains that contain two parts: on one end, a hydrophobic (water-repelling) side, and on the other end, a hydrophilic (water-attracting) side. Respectfully so, the hydrophobic side turns away from the water, grappling and isolating the oil and debris from your skin and hair, while the hydrophilic side turns to the water, and allows the oil and dirt to easily roll off your body. Simple process. But at the same time, these sulfates are capable of irritating the skin. They’re effective, and cost under one dollar per pound. This means shampoo manufacturers can implement this stuff in their products to “get the job done” without concern for its quality and its safety for your skin. It’s the High Fructose Corn Syrup of the shampoo world.

Now the first step for scalp acne treatment shall involve a little alchemy. We’re going to mix equal portions of two different shampoos—that, if used alone, would not contribute as effectively as when used together. The first one is Organix Nourishing Coconut Milk Shampoo. The reason I choose this is that it is a sulfate-free shampoo. Most sulfate-free shampoos are $15-$30, whereas, Organix sells for a fraction of that. Also, it actually is organic; the scents come from coconut and vanilla extracts, and lastly, egg proteins are embedded within the shampoo, allowing your hair to maintain its strength, moisture, and fullness that may be offset by the DHS shampoo (which we will be mixing it with).

As aforementioned, the other shampoo is DHS Tar Shampoo. It is used in treating psoriasis and dandruff by dehydrating the scalp, helping to reduce inflammation. But see, it’s a double-edged sword; due to its strength, it is capable of irritating the scalp and thinning the hair—both of which we do not want. And to successfully get rid of scalp acne, our hair must be washed with this combined product, literally, every day. This is why these shampoos are mixed together. The coconut shampoo nullifies the adverse effects of the tar shampoo, leaving us with the positive aspects of both shampoos. Sounds perfect, does it not? Once again, combine equal portions of both these shampoos into another bottle (plastic travel-sized bottles work well), and shake it up well. You're familiar with the next three steps: Lather. Rise. Repeat.

Finally, after your shower, make sure to spray the areas of your scalp that are affected (or usually get affected) with witch hazel, followed by dabbing pea-sized drops of AHA onto each individual pimple. Follow this routine even after the acne goes away. Think of it as a proactive effort to prevent more breakouts from arising. Witch Hazel is an effective astringent, and the AHA is a successful spot treatment cream. It extracts and exfoliates foreign substances of the skin. Refer to my article, 7 Proven Steps To Get Rid Of Blackheads And Minimize Pores , to understand more about both of these products. I recommend them highly. Allow the products to absorb before going to bed with your freshly changed pillowcase. Push yourself to wash your hair once a day, but as a general rule, you may want to wash your hair as often as it begins getting oily. It’s imperative not to allow your scalp to remain oily for too long. In short time, you’ll witness your scalp acne diminish, and there’s one less headache.

Related Posts:

• The Rosacea Cure
• Treating Dry Skin
• How To Get Rid Of Blackheads
• Flat Belly Diet (Review)--Are MUFA Meals Magical?
• How To Boost Collagen Production In Your Skin