Refresh Scalp Peel

Treating Chronic Scalp Folliculitis with Chemical Peel

Scalp folliculitis is a common skin condition that many people have, partly due to the hot and humid weather condition in Singapore.

It is an inflammatory disorder of the hair follicles in the scalp. It is usually characterized by small, itchy pustules on the scalp that usually first appear along the hairline. It is difficult to leave them alone because of the itch.

Causes of scalp folliculitis

The causes of scalp folliculitis are not well understood. However, we know that is an inflammatory response to micro-organisms in the hair follicles.Some leading causes are:

Bacteria infection caused by Cutibacterium acnes or Staphylococcus aureus in severe cases
Mites or Demodex folliculorum
Yeasts or Malassezia species

Although early onset of scalp folliculitis may not be due to a bacterial or fungal infection, secondary infection can develop if left untreated for a prolonged period. When too much bacteria or virus grow on the skin, it may enter an open wound, causing hair follicles to develop moderate to severe inflammation that look similar to an acne breakout. If left untreated, these bumps may grow larger and spread to hair follicles in the center and back of the head.

In addition, scalp buildup can also cause folliculitis as the dead skin, sebum, sweat and hair products clog your hair follicles.

Weakening of hair follicles caused by some habits can also perpetuate the condition. Some examples are:

Frequent pulling of the hair because of tight hair styles
Twisting or tugging of hair
Scratching and rubbing your head
Frequent use of hair products that may come in contact with your scalp
Wearing of accessories such as hairbands, hats, caps etc.

Symptoms of scalp folliculitis

Some common signs and symptoms of scalp folliculitis are:

Tiny, red bumps on the scalp
Some bumps may be filled with pus and resemble a pimple
Itching and oily scalp
Pain and tenderness when you touch the red bumps

When to see a doctor

Some common signs and symptoms of scalp folliculitis are:

Tiny, red bumps on the scalp
Some bumps may be filled with pus and resemble a pimple
Itching and oily scalp
Pain and tenderness when you touch the red bumps

How to treat scalp folliculitis

Other than prescribing antibiotics or antifungal medication to control the inflammation, we designed a facial for the scalp to provide a deep cleansing treatment to remove impurities, germs, dirt and residual hair products that can irritate your scalp and clog the hair follicles.

Ultrasonic cleansing is used to provide deep cleansing to the skin by loosening oil, sebum and comedones that are lodged deep within the follicles. Unlike manual extraction, Ultrasonic cleansing is comfortable and gentle on the skin so that it doesn’t leave any scar or permanent damage to the scalp.

When all the clogs have been removed, a mild salicylic acid peel is used to exfoliate the surface layers of the scalp. Belonging to a family of beta hydroxy acid (BHA), salicylic acid is highly effective for oily and acne-prone skin to loosen dirt from the pores. You may feel a bit of a stinging and biting sensation when the chemical peel is applied, but rest assured that this is perfectly normal.

Once the chemical peel is applied, the therapist will then apply a layer of Radium Self Defence Scalp Serum. It contains Baicapal and botanical active ingredients that help to reduce hair loss and stimulate growth and increase hair density at the same time.

How many sessions do I need?

Depending on the severity of the condition, this treatment should be done at least once a month until the inflammation has resolved completely.

Is there any downtime?

Depending on the severity of the condition, this treatment should be done at least once a month until the inflammation has resolved completely.