Do you have tiny bumps along your hairline, the upper part of your forehead, or both? Have you noticed tiny bumps along the back of your neck? The culprit may be your hair care products. Shampoos, conditioners, and styling products can cause whiteheads and other types of acne in these areas.
The most obvious way to tell is if you use a shampoo and break out shortly after using it, it could be causing your acne.
Just like the breakouts on your face, acne on your scalp can take the form of whiteheads, papules (tiny flesh-colored bumps), and cysts around your hairline, roots, or the back of your neck, Howard Sobel, MD, clinical dermatologic surgeon at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, tells SELF.
As a rule of thumb, assume your shampoo is too old if it has an odd odor, looks clumpy, has changed color, or doesn't seem to be lathering as it once did. This might be difficult to notice if your shampoo is in an opaque bottle and you cannot see the separation.
You may be allergic to shampoo if you experience symptoms such as scalp redness, itching, rash, hives, or inflammation after use. Other signs include eye irritation or watery eyes. These symptoms often occur immediately or shortly after exposure to the allergenic shampoo. Always consult a doctor for diagnosis.
A dry, itchy, tight scalp isn't a sign of cleanliness, it's a symptom that your shampoo is failing in its job. Hair may also begin to feel rough and brittle. Your shampoo may be too harsh and failing to hydrate properly, which can also leave you with a bad case of dandruff. Try a gentler shampoo that hydrates.
Diet: Greasy, sugary foods may cause acne. Genetics: You may have a high risk of acne if your close family members also have the skin condition. Hygiene practices: Not regularly washing your face or hair may cause excess oil on your scalp and skin.
Your skin might burn, sting, itch, or get red right where you used the product. You might get blisters and have oozing, especially if you scratch. The other kind of reaction actually involves your immune system.
Some things that may trigger acne include: Hormonal changes that make the skin oilier. These may be related to puberty, menstrual periods, pregnancy, birth control pills, or stress. Greasy or oily cosmetic and hair products.
Generally, he says, the range is somewhere between once a day and once a week. “If you have very fine or thin hair, you may need to wash more often, while those with thick or curly hair may need to wash less often,” says Dr Elizabeth Bahar Houshmand, a double board certified dermatologist and hair health expert.
Clogged Pores and Acne: Hair product residue can clog your skin's pores, especially if it contains oils, silicones, or waxes. Acne, blackheads, and whiteheads are the result of this obstruction, which traps dirt, oil, and bacteria inside the pores.
To treat contact dermatitis successfully, you need to identify and avoid the cause of your reaction. If you avoid the substance causing the reaction, the rash often clears up in 2 to 4 weeks.
Patch tests don't use needles. Instead, allergens are applied to patches, which are then placed on your skin. During a patch test, your skin may be exposed to 20 to 30 extracts of substances that can cause contact dermatitis. These can include latex, medicines, fragrances, preservatives, hair dyes, metals and resins.
Either way, Reslan recommends giving your shampoo a few tries before determining if it's right or wrong for you. "If your scalp starts to become dry or red from irritation or your roots progressively become more oily after a few uses, then I would look for an alternative shampoo," she says.
You might notice signs indicating it's time to change your shampoo, such as the appearance of dandruff, itching sensations, or a loss of volume and shine in your hair. If you find that your scalp is becoming oilier or your hair is turning dull despite regular washing, it may be wise to consider changing your shampoo.
Improper washing of hair post-shampooing can lead to the build-up of shampoo residue in your hair, which only adds to the dirt you try to clean by shampooing. Also, excessive build-up of product residue causes hair and scalp irritation and even impedes hair growth.
Our top pick is Briogeo, a clarifying shampoo and scalp-scrub combo treatment that our testers said banished itchy symptoms and flakes for days on end.