Light Or Laser Therapy
You can go to a dermatologists office two or three times a week to receive whats called narrow-band UVB phototherapy.
YOUR GUIDE TO PSORIASIS:
It feels a lot like going to a tanning salonyou step into a vertical box thats filled with lights. You dont really see maximum benefit until 10 to 12 weeks and many patients continue to do it for six months, says Dr. Klein. There are also home light box units that we try to get insurance to cover. Light therapy is generally a good choice if you have scalp psoriasis, as well as psoriasis on other areas of your body.
Another variation: You can get a comb with a light in it, so you can essentially brush with this light turned on that emits UVB rays, says Dr. Buka. Thats one way to suppress inflammation on the scalp without using a steroid.
Theres also an excimer laser, which is a form of ultraviolet laser and can be used in a doctors office two to three times a week. This works great for the scalp because its more of a targeted therapy and we actually put the laser where we see the plaques, says Dr. Klein.
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DHS SAL Shampoo Maximum Strength
Ease the itch while fighting the flakes with this psoriasis-specific formula. The salicylic-acid packed shampooin a perfectly portable bottleaids in breaking down stubborn scales and preventing new build-up from forming. By doing so, it also helps to reduce redness and overall inflammation of the scalp caused by psoriasis. For best results, store it away from sulight and use it at least twice a week.
Shampoo Ingredients To Look For
Yadav recommends that when you’re looking for a shampoo to use to help soothe scalp psoriasis, you first want to look out for kerolytic ingredients or ingredients that help dissolve the scaly skin and help it shed. These types of kerolyic ingredients include salicylic acid, lactic acid, glycolic acid, urea, and trichloroacetic acid. According to Coppola, salicylic acid is a key ingredient that’s designed to help soften psoriasis plaques and remove them.
“Psoriatic shampoos that are formulated to treat scalp psoriasis typically have three common ingredients that help to both sooth and treat scalp psoriasis, while also allowing any topical medications to penetrate better,” adds Coppola. “These ingredients include hydrocortisone, which will help to reduce inflammation as well as alleviate itching, coal tar which helps to decrease cellular proliferation, and also helps the scalp to turn over dead skin cells and shed them.”
However, if you have severe scalp psoriasis, Yadav recommends you should see a dermatologist to get a prescription-strength treatment to see real results.
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Steroid Creams Or Ointments
Steroid creams or ointments are commonly used to treat mild to moderate psoriasis in most areas of the body. The treatment works by reducing inflammation. This slows the production of skin cells and reduces itching.
Topical corticosteroids range in strength from mild to very strong. Only use them when recommended by your doctor.
Stronger topical corticosteroids can be prescribed by your doctor and should only be used on small areas of skin or on particularly thick patches. Overusing topical corticosteroids can lead to skin thinning.
How We Chose The Best Shampoos For Scalp Psoriasis
To create this list, we looked mainly for products that contain salicylic acid and coal tar to target scalp psoriasis. These are two ingredients recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology Association .
Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid thats often used as an exfoliant. It helps soften and break down plaques and scales for easier removal. Removing the plaques should help ease symptoms, like itching, burning, and irritation.
Coal tar is derived from black coal, and, according to the AAD, has been used to treat psoriasis for over 100 years. It helps pump the brakes to make sure the skin cells on your scalp arent growing too fast and building up. Still, coal tar can be drying and can stain.
We also included shampoos with other research-backed ingredients, like selenium sulfide.
Finally, we looked at reviews from customers with scalp psoriasis to determine the effectiveness of each one.
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Tips For Treating Scalp Psoriasis
In addition to finding a specially formulated shampoo, here are a few other things you can do to keep scalp psoriasis symptoms in check:
- Shampoo your hair as often as you can. This will help alleviate buildup and itchiness. However, keep in mind that shampooing every day isnt suitable for all hair types.
- Limit stress, alcohol, and smoking. Along with irritants in your hair products, scalp psoriasis flare-ups can also be triggered by stress, alcohol consumption, and smoking. Limiting stress and intake of these substances may help keep things under control.
- Try aloe vera.Aloe vera gel has anti-inflammatory properties and may be soothing. You can try applying it to your scalp, or look for it as an ingredient in your shampoo.
- Use baking soda.Baking soda is great for an itchy scalp. One tablespoon of baking soda mixed with a cup of water should do the trick. Apply the mixture to your scalp to relieve itching and irritation.
- Apply natural oils. These will help keep your scalp moisturized and are filled with fats to keep the scalp healthy. Coconut oil is a great oil to start with.
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Cleanses the scalp with micro-exfoliators
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Similar to dye, hair straighteners and some protective hairstyles can aggravate seborrheic dermatitis, because it can result in less frequent hair washing and helps the scalp accumulate oil and debris, explains Dr. French. But this shampoo might be able to help because its not a regular shampoo. Its formula contains vegetable-derived micro-exfoliators, set to remove dead skin cells and any product build-up from the scalp. Not only does it clean the scalp, but leaves hair strong and full with a helpful dose of biotin.
Its hard to know whether most dandruff shampoos are working, but this one from Briogeo clues you in by actually cooling your scalp with soothing tea tree oil that also works hard to eliminate flakes. When using the shampoo, make sure to massage it into the scalp and all the way through your ends for the best results.
Active Ingredients: None | Uses: Dryness, flaking, and itching of scalp due to dermatitis or excess product build-up
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Ingredients That Can Benefit Scalp Psoriasis
Shamban says that when looking for products, keep an eye out for gels and shampoos or pre-treatments containing salicylic acid, as it can help soften thick patches of skin on the scalp. Another good thing about salicylic acid? It penetrates into skin and pores, allowing other medications for other symptoms to get in deeper. Look for products with antibacterial, antimicrobial, and anti-fungal properties that can help treat seborrheic dermatitis and scalp psoriasis, she adds. Antifungals also inhibit yeast growth, a main factor in dandruff which is a secondary outcome with the condition.
Potential To Use It On Other Parts Of Body
It is very often seen that people experience psoriasis spreading to other areas of their bodies as well. Therefore, your shampoo should be the one that could be applied to those specific body areas as well. You will eventually get relief from itching, in which such a condition could result in your skin.
It is critical to tell here as all of the shampoos for psoriasis are not suitable to be used on other body parts. Therefore, check for the required compatibility, or else, the incompatible shampoo could trigger other severe skin issues.
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Tips For Using Psoriasis Shampoo
Make the product you choose more effective at controlling psoriasis by following these doctor-approved suggestions:
Salicylic Acid Psoriasis Shampoo
There are many psoriasis treatments that use salicylic acid as an active ingredient.
Salicylic acid shampoos are great for a whole host of scalp conditions, including psoriasis. It helps your scalp shed dead skin which softens and lifts away the scales associated with scalp psoriasis.
Shampoo based on salicylic acid is used like a normal shampoo. Wet your hair, lather, rinse and repeat. Do this twice a week or as often as your doctor recommends.
Make sure you understand the potential side effects of this type of shampoo. You shouldnt use it if you have cuts or open wounds on your head. You also have to makes sure you dont get it into your eyes, nose or mouth.
Some people experience nausea, or skin irritation when they use salicylic acid shampoo. To counter this you should use less of it and not use it as often.
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Can Shampoo Get Rid Of Psoriasis
Most specifically formulated shampoos can help ease symptoms of scalp psoriasis. Some, including MG217 Medicated Conditioning Shampoo, Neutrogena T/Gel Therapeutic Shampoo, and Dermarest Psoriasis Medicated Shampoo Plus Conditioner, are even considered effective treatments by the National Psoriasis Foundation.
How To Treat Scalp Psoriasis
Scalp psoriasis is a genetic condition and has different causes than dandruff so, some effective anti-dandruff shampoos wont help it. Over-the-counter shampoos containing coal tar or salicylic acid can help to manage psoriasis flaking.
Youll need tosee a dermatologistwho can advise you on how best to go about managing your scalp psoriasis and may recommend stronger prescription shampoos.
Dermatologists will often try a number of treatment options to find one that works best, as some treatments will work better for some people than others.
It all depends on the severity of the psoriasis and your individual reaction to treatment.
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Ingredients To Look For
The following ingredients can help reduce itchiness and flakes, as well as gently soften and remove thick scale.
- Hydrocortisone is a mild corticosteroid that can decrease itching and inflammation.
- Coal tar decreases skin cell growth and helps the scalp shed dead skin cells.
- Salicylic acid is a âkeratolytic,â or peeling agent, that helps soften and remove thick scale. Once scale is removed, other medications will be able to penetrate the skin more easily, potentially increasing effectiveness.
Why Trust Verywell Health
Having been raised by two medical professionals, Amari Pollard understands the importance of health literacy. As a seasoned health writer, she is committed to producing well-researched and well-sourced product reviews to help people make informed medical decisions.
Additional reporting for this story by Sarah Bradley
Sarah Bradley has been writing health content since 2017everything from product roundups and illness FAQs to nutrition explainers and the dish on diet trends. She knows how important it is to receive trustworthy and expert-approved advice about over-the-counter products that manage everyday health conditions, from GI issues and allergies to chronic headaches and joint pain.
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Is It Time To Get A New Psoriasis Treatment For Scalp
Youre looking for a new psoriasis treatment for scalp. What do you think? Its difficult to predict future price changes. If there are no signs of production slowing, it can be worth buying now to enjoy your investment sooner. But if output is declining and prices are predicted to rise, you might want to wait until the buzz has died down before making a choice.
How Psoriasis Affects The Scalp
Scalp psoriasis can involve mild to severe scaling with crusted plaques on the scalp. This can be uncomfortable, leading to itching and sometimes pain. It may also extend to a persons forehead, ears, and back of their neck.
At first, the flaking of dead skin cells can resemble dandruff. However, scalp psoriasis will have a scaly, silver appearance.
Other symptoms may include:
- bleeding, if a person scratches the scalp
- a dry scalp, which may result in cracking and bleeding or itching
- soreness, due to the skin scaling and as a result of itching
- temporary hair loss, due to repeated itching or severe scaling on the scalp
- loss of sleep, as a result of discomfort at night
Some people may feel embarrassed about the changes they see, and this can lead to depression and anxiety.
Although most people with scalp psoriasis know they should not scratch their scalp when it itches, it can be hard not to. However, scratching an itchy scalp can worsen symptoms and cause the areas of psoriasis to grow or become infected.
Scalp psoriasis can be challenging to treat, and it is hard to know which treatments will be effective.
A person should speak to a doctor if:
- they experience symptoms for the first time
- symptoms are severe, including cracking or bleeding
- OTC shampoos or medicated shampoos do not help
If there is cracking or bleeding, it can cause an infection. A doctor may recommend a systemic treatment in moderate to severe cases of scalp psoriasis.
Examples include:
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Love Beauty And Planet Tea Tree Oil & Vetiver Radical Refresher Shampoo
Tea tree oil, an antioxidant, is known to soothe scalp psoriasis. In fact, experts recommend putting a few drops of this oil on your hair products. For those with mild conditions, try using the Love Beauty and Planet Tea Tree Oil & Vetiver Radical Refresher Shampoo. It cleanses the scalp while detoxifying impurities. The vetiver aroma will leave your hair smelling amazing, too!
Coal Tar Psoriasis Shampoo
Coal tar has been used for a very long time to treat psoriasis and can be found in a wide variety of creams, lotions, oils, and shampoos. It can help with the thickness of the skin, as well as the scaling that comes with psoriasis. It can also help with the appearance of your skin and ease the itching.
Using coal tar shampoo is straightforward. Simply massage it into your scalp and let it sit for five to ten minutes and rinseits that easy.
It also has some drawbacks that you should be aware of. The most problematic is the fact that it can make your scalp more sensitive to sunlight. For this reason, its recommended that you stay out of the sun or wear a hat for the first 24 hours after using it.
There are two more drawbacks with this type of shampoo. Those with light-colored hair can find that the shampoo makes their hair darker and some people dont like the smell. That makes the drawbacks very minor compared to possible relief you could get!
Coal tar shampoo is designed to treat your scalp. Its always good to wash your hair with normal shampoo afterward to restore the shine and softness.
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Finding The Right Shampoo For Scalp Psoriasis
Your dermatologist will prescribe treatments for you, including basic necessities like which shampoo to use. When looking for a scalp psoriasis treatment shampoo, it is best to check the label: look for ingredients like zinc pyrithione or salicylic acid. Moisturizing and anti-dandruff formulations are recommended by dermatologists as they hydrate the scalp to lessen flake build-ups.
We spoke to our hair experts to find out which shampoo for scalp psoriasis is recommended to target inflammation and remove flakes:
Shampoos For Scalp Psoriasis: A Complete Guide
Stocksy / Design by Cristina Cianci
In This Article
If you’ve been dealing with dry, itchy, flaky scalp, your first thought might be that it’s dandruffbut there could be another culprit at play: scalp psoriasis. But before we dive into the condition as it relates to your scalp , it’s important to understand what psoriasis is.
Psoriasis is characterized as an immune-mediated disease, which means that it’s not an auto-immune disorder, but inflammation that’s caused by a problem in your immune system . Vanessa Coppola, a nurse practitioner, explains further: “Psoriasis is a very common skin disorder that can occur anywhere on the body including the scalp. It is estimated that between seven and eight million Americans have psoriasis. We don’t currently know exactly what causes psoriasis however we do believe it is an autoimmune disease that causes an over-proliferation of skin cells.”
If you’ve been diagnosed with scalp psoriasis, one of the main ways to treat it is with specialized shampoos. If you’re wondering what to look for in a shampoo for the condition, you’ve definitely come to the right place. Read on for more information from our experts, below.
Meet the Expert
- Geeta Yadav, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Science Dermatology.
- Vanessa Coppola, N.P., is a nurse practitioner, cosmetic aesthetic specialist and founder of Bare Aesthetic.
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How To Choose The Most Popular Psoriasis Treatment For Scalp
The three most crucial criteria to consider are price, quality, and popularity.Price is an obvious factor to consider, as you want to ensure it is acceptable for your needs.Quality should also be examined because buying a low-quality goods will not help you achieve your main aim of obtaining the best product.Finally, while not as obvious as price or quality, popularity can be just as significant as both when it comes to attracting new customers.