Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Scalp Acne, Including How to Treat It

While not technically a medical term, scalp acne covers a few acne-like conditions that occur on the head. Hence the name.

"The most common and mild (yet annoying) by far is scalp folliculitis," says Dr. Melanie Palm, board certified dermatologist in Solana Beach, California. "This is a breakout focused around hair follicles, typically the back and sides of scalp in adults." She says she sees it about once a week among her patients and considers it pretty common.

A less common form of scalp acne is folliculitis decalvans, which Palm describes as a more severe scalp condition that consists of "lakes of pus," some scarring and even hair loss. Also uncommon is a type of scalp acne that can create bumps (aka acne keloidalis nuchae) and another type caused by fungal infections featuring crusted, acne-like large masses.

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