Hairline and Scalp Blemishes: Causes, Treatment & Prevention

In this article:
Why do I have blemishes on my hairline?
How to get rid of hairline blemishes
How to get rid of forehead blemishes
What are scalp blemishes?
How to treat pimples on the scalp
Do scalp blemishes cause hair loss?

Regular breakouts are bad enough, so it hardly seems fair when scalp blemishes along the hairline show up, too.

Don’t be discouraged: There are simple tricks and proven solutions on how to prevent hairline blemishes and keep scalp pimples and forehead bumps from appearing. Below, we’re sharing what works based on scientific research, not hype.

Why do I have blemishes on my hairline?

Hairline blemishes causes can cover a plethora of seemingly innocuous products and practices.

Surprise: The hair care products you use can be a sneaky cause of why you’re breaking out on your back, neck, chest and hairline. Styling products—especially hair pomades and hair waxes—are the biggest culprits, but moisturising shampoos and conditioners can contribute, too (1). To avoid this, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Debra Jaliman, MD, recommends “checking the ingredients in your shampoos and conditioners to prevent hairline blemishes.”

Ingredients in shampoos and conditioners, such as emollients, quaterniums, acrylates and wax-like thickening and anti-static agents are designed to cling to hair, which is great. The problem is they can also cling to skin, with ongoing exposure potentially leading to clogged pores.

What causes hairline blemishes extends beyond hair care ingredients. Headwear, like hats, predispositions skin to changes that promote oil production and contributes to bumps and friction-related blemishes along the hairline (2).

How to get rid of hairline blemishes

What’s caused your hairline blemishes will impact how you approach getting rid of it. Here’s a comprehensive guide on what to do to avoid clogs:

• Shampoo and condition your hair and rinse well, tilting your head backward under the shower head. Tilting downward (so the water rushes over your face) can deposit “clingy” hair care ingredients that can potentially clog pores on your forehead.
• Follow with a gentle, fragrance-free body wash, paying attention to your neck, upper back, chest and hairline. After exiting the shower, treat your back, shoulders and neck with an exfoliating body treatment to avoid clogs.
• Use only the amount of conditioner you need. Excess conditioner doesn’t help your hair or skin. Not sure how much to use? Start with a small amount (a pea-sized amount for short or fine hair, a grape-sized amount for longer hair) and see how your hair does.
• When you apply styling products, take care to avoid the skin around your face. Love hairspray? Protect your skin from its pore-clogging holding agents with a clear, plastic face shield available online. The Soft ‘N Style brand is highly rated.
• Avoid putting creams, waxes or pomades on any hair that touches your face, especially bangs or a fringe.
• Silicone serums aren’t a problem. Silicone is porous, so it won't suffocate your skin or cause scalp bumps. But check the ingredient list because some silicone serums also contain oils.
• Use proven blemish-fighting ingredients, like benzoyl peroxide, for pimples along the hairline. If the hairline is dotted with bumps, use an exfoliant.
• Wash hats, headbands and pillowcases regularly. Oil, debris and dirt can collect on these surfaces and items.

How to get rid of forehead blemishes

Forehead blemishes differ from hairline and scalp blemishes in that you should treat them the same way that you treat blemishes on the rest of your face.

The exception? If you’re dealing with clogged pores, not with blemishes. You’ll know the difference because blemishes results in raised, red and/or tender bumps (pimples) that can ooze fluid and feel uncomfortable; clogged pores, on the other hand, aren’t red, don’t swell up and rarely cause discomfort. If it’s only clogged pores (what’s known as non-inflammatory), skip Step 3 below (3).

Here’s a simple, step-by-step routine for treating forehead blemishes:

1. Cleanse skin with a water-soluble face wash designed for blemish-prone skin.
2. Use a leave-on BHA exfoliant to remove dead skin, unclog pores and help prevent more zits.
3. Apply a benzoyl peroxide treatment. Benzoyl peroxide is considered the gold standard for preventing blemishes, clearing pimples you have now, and reducing swelling and redness.
4. During daytime, follow with a light, moisturising broad-spectrum SPF 15+. At night, follow with an oil-free moisturiser for blemish-prone skin.

What are scalp blemishes?

Scalp blemishes are the occurrence of breakouts and pimples on the actual scalp. They can be less visible and trickier to identify when hair hides them, so they're more commonly discovered through scalp discomfort. These breakouts can result from clogged pores or inflamed hair follicles.

The same hair care products that trigger pimples and clogged pores on the forehead and hairline can cause problems on the scalp, too. An oily scalp, hair cleansing practices and predispositions to blemishes can also cause scalp blemishes.

Scalp blemish symptoms include:

• Discomfort
• Itchiness
• Redness
• Soreness

How to treat pimples on the scalp

Scalp pimples are tricky to treat. For example, applying benzoyl peroxide can help, but it can also bleach your hair. A BHA (salicylic acid) exfoliant can work wonders, but the typical lotion, cream or gel form isn’t easy to get directly on the scalp.

Here are some tips for dealing with pimples on the head and clogged pores that lead to scalp bumps:

• Be sure your shampoo rinses cleanly. Avoid conditioning and “2-in-1” formulas.
• If you use a conditioner, apply it only to the ends of your hair, avoiding the scalp, and rinse well.
• Use a cotton swab to apply a liquid anti-blemish exfoliant specially formulated for the body. Leave it on your scalp overnight and shampoo your hair in the morning.
• Don’t apply any creamy, thick or paste-like styling products near the scalp.
• If you have scalp blemishes that are red and swollen, be extra-gentle when combing or brushing your hair. A plastic wide-toothed comb works well and is gentler than a standard hairbrush.
• Regularly wash hats, pillowcases and any hair accessories that make contact with your scalp, hairline and forehead.
• See your dermatologist if your scalp blemishes don't respond to over-the-counter products. You may be dealing with a type of folliculitis, an inflammatory condition that can affect the scalp and result in many of the same symptoms as scalp blemishes (5). Alternately, you may need a prescription product to get the blemishes under control.

Do scalp blemishes cause hair loss?

Many people worry that having hair follicles disrupted by blemishes will result in hair loss, or alopecia. In most cases the answer is no. There are some rare, severe types of scalp blemishes that result in hair loss, though with treatment from a dermatologist, the hair can grow back (4) since the follicles themselves aren’t irreversibly damaged.

Learn more about blemishes.

References for this information:

1. The Journal of Family Practice, September 2021, page 356
2. Indo American Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, July 2015, ePublication
3. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, November 2022, pages 773-780
4. International Journal of Trichology, April 2020, pages 35-37
5. Dermato Endocrinology, July 2017, ePublication