Pimples on Bald Head: Causes and Solutions

Pimples on your bald head driving you nuts?

There are several ways to prevent or get rid of annoying, unsightly pimples or blemishes, or what appear to be pimples, that have appeared on your bald head.

First of all, let’s get a dermatologist’s take on this common problem with men who are proud to be bald.

What is the most likely cause of pimples developing on a bald head?

This is “most likely to occur with men who shave their beards and head,” says Dr. Oanh Lauring, MD, founder of Lauring Dermatology in Nottingham, MD

“Normal skin bacteria gets into the nicked skin and inflames the hair follicles and promotes folliculitis.”

Solutions

Dr. Lauring advises not to shave against the grain of the hairs.

As for a solution to pimples or red bumps on the bald head, Dr. Lauring states, “Start out with over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide wash or salicylic acid wash; topical benzoyl peroxide to prevent flares, but some people may require topical antibiotics or steroids for flares of the bumps.

“Avoid using cocoa butter, Vaseline petroleum jelly to the scalp, as it may clog pores and promote folliculitis.”

Here are other solutions to pimples, blemish-like spots, or red bumps on your bald head, endorsed by members of the community for bald men, slybaldguys.com:

– Use a single blade to prevent razor burn. This is commonly done by bodybuilders to prepare for contests.

– Pimples can be caused by blocked pores, but pimple-like bumps, which aren’t technically pimples, can arise from shaving, so be alert to your shaving techniques.

So do not use any products on your head that can clog pores.

If you feel that the red “bumps” on your bald head are related to pores, rather than to shaving, apply an astringent or product that contains salicylic acid.

This might sting momentarily, but can diminish red areas, and in some men, can completely clear up trouble spots in a few days.

– Try exfoliation. You can exfoliate by gently (or more vigorously, according to some men) rubbing the exfoliation sponge along the irritated area. One man recommends the St. Ives apricot scrub.

Another man simply uses a brush; this can be either a facial or body brush.

Any store that sells bath products should have these. Natural bristles will probably work better than plastic ones, and are a bit softer to the touch.

– Ingrown hairs can cause “shaving bumps.” One man recommends Shave Secret, available at Walmart.

Another bald man reports that he tried just about everything for the pimples that kept appearing on his head; nothing worked.

Then he tried a 1 percent hydrocortisone cream and a 10 percent benzoyl peroxide product, and this worked.

Dr. Lauring explains, “African-American men are prone to ingrown hairs and subsequently unsightly scar bumps.

“People should avoid plucking or waxing, as this traumatizes the hair bulb and encourages the hairs to grow back into the skin.

“If an ingrown hair develops, it is best to use a needle to carefully loosen the hair from the skin, then clip the hair.

“When bumps occur and persist, they may require topical steroids or even steroid injections to stop the inflammation.”

Dr. Lauring adds, “Ointments absorb better than creams, but they tend to be more clogging to the pore if they are petrolatum-based.

“Topical steroids should always be used sparingly and for brief periods, as daily chronic use of topical steroids may promote more acne, folliculitis, skin thinning, skin lightening and stretch mark development.”

Sporting a bald head by choice isn’t as easy as it looks or seems.

The bald head requires continuous upkeep and is thus vulnerable to irritations such as pimples and other red bumps.