I've written a few times over the past several months about a very persistent and annoying problem with bumps on my scalp. I've tried a number of things, some of which seemed to work for a while, only to have the problem come back with a vengeance. Through trial and error, I think I have finally determined the cause. I seem to be allergic to something in Headslick. I noticed some improvement when I switched to Aveeno earlier in the year, and the problem gradually re-emerged when I switched back to Headslick. Looking back, I'm kicking myself for not figuring this out sooner, but some factors made it hard to diagnose:
1. The problem didn't appear suddenly upon using Headslick, rather it gradually but steadily got worse
2. Some of the worst bumps were on my forehead and temple regions, where I don't shave. But I finally realized that the Headslick tends to run down my forehead while I'm shaving
3. I've also been using Headslick on my face with no problems there at all.
I was blaming the problem on excessive perspiration during the warmer months, and while I'm sure that contributed to the problem, things didn't clear up the way I expected when the weather turned cooler. Things got so bad that if growing back hair had been an option, I may well have done it just to cover up the damn bumps. Whatver confidence you gain from being sly quickly evaporates when your dome is full of blemishes.
I've been a little reluctant to post this, afraid that I'd jinx myself by speaking too soon, but in the five days or so since I discontinued the Headslick, my scalp has improved by about 80%. It's been many months since it's looked this good. I've got a few minor blemishes that continue to heal and my scalp is much less oily than it had been.
I used Headslick for a long time with no problems, but allergies can develop over a period of long exposure to a particular item. Headslick is a fine product that works well for a lot of people, but no product is right for everybody. If you've developed any kind of skin issue, please take a careful look at the shaving products you're using, even if you've used them for a long time with no problems. I'd also recommend keeping the number of products used to a minimum, to avoid irritating the skin and to make it easier to identify the offending agent if a problem does occur.