Natural Hair Products For Psoriasis

Combination Shampoo For Psoriasis And Color Treated Hair

For this article, we are going to specifically discuss over-the-counter shampoo products. If your scalp psoriasis is so bad that it requires a prescriptive shampoo then you will have limited choices to deal with your color treated hair.

All over-the-counter shampoos will use either coal tar or salicylic acid as an active ingredient. These ingredients have been studied and accepted by the FDA as effective for treating scalp psoriasis. These two ingredients work in the same way but may perform differently for each individual. Coal tar and salicylic acid are natural exfoliating ingredients. They will help your body to remove the dead skin cells caused by your psoriasis. This is important because if you can control the exfoliating process you will avoid the scaly build up that is often caused by scalp psoriasis. So which ingredient is right for you? The only way to find out is to try the product. For some people, coal tar will work great and salicylic acid will do nothing for them. For others, the opposite will be true. And then there will be others that will find either one will work well. If you are not sure which one to choose it is best to start with salicylic acid and if it does not work then move on to coal tar. The reason this is suggested is because salicylic acid virtually odor free and coal tar can sometimes have an offensive smell that has to be masked with fragrances.

How To Care For Your Hair

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:

You May Like: Scalp Psoriasis Flare Up Treatment

What Does Scalp Psoriasis Look Like

It can be challenging to decipher the difference between standard-variety dry scalp, dandruff, and psoriasis. According to trichologist Eva Proudman, it’s best to visit an expert for an accurate diagnosis, but there are some telltale signs to self-diagnose at-home.

For starters, if you’re experiencing a scalp that feels tight and itchy with small, dry flakes of skin in the hair and your hair is dryer than normal, you most likely have a dry scalp. If you see flakes that are small white or gray scales that fall onto your clothes, but your scalp looks and feels oily, chances are you’re dealing with dandruff.

Now if you’ve checked those two boxes off the list and you’re still wondering if you have scalp psoriasis, Proudman suggests checking for circular, uniform areas of darker, redder skin that is visibly a different color from the rest of your scalp. If these patches are covered with dry, whitish-silver scales and cannot be easily removed, that is a sign of psoriasis. This is especially true if you remove the scales and see bleeding points on the scalp.

“Sufferers of scalp psoriasis report itching, tight uncomfortable scalp sensations, and often the knees and shins are also affected,” Proudman says. Bottom line: Psoriasis patches are attached to the scalp and often raised with a rough texture. It’s not flaky or loose and often has scales that aren’t easy to remove.

Hair Dye And Psoriasis Flares

What if you need to dye your hair during a psoriasis flare? If you have a âcanât missâ hair color appointment on your calendar , do everything you can to prevent a flare from happening.

Keep up with your psoriasis treatment. For scalp psoriasis, treatment may include one or more of the following:

• Medicine applied to the scalp
• Medicated shampoos

Read Also: Dr Blaine’s Revitaderm Psoriasis Treatment Reviews

Sheamoisture 100% Virgin Coconut Oil Daily Hydration Shampoo

This formula removes impurities and still leaves your hair moisturized. The sulfate-free shampoo is formulated with 100% virgin coconut oil and shea oils that work together to remove dryness from the scalp. You will also find coconut milk and acacia Senegal that finishes the hair with a shine effect.

Argan Oil For Psoriasis

Argan oil is a carrier oil, not an essential oil. Its rich in vitamin E, which is hydrating to the skin. It may also improve your skins metabolism, reduce inflammation, and protect your skin from the sun.

Argan oil may work on psoriasis because its both anti-inflammatory and antiseptic. This means that the oil helps to reduce redness, dryness, swelling, and itchiness.

Note that culinary and cosmetic argan oils are not the same thing. You shouldnt ingest cosmetic argan oil. Allergic reactions are rare, and you should discontinue use if you experience discomfort.

Because argan oil isnt an essential oil, it can be applied directly to the skin or mixed with essential oils for a blend of results.

anthelmintic properties . It can help with a range of skin issues, from ones caused by psoriasis to ones caused by parasites.

It helps to soothe any inflammation while also speeding up the skins healing process. Black seed oil is an excellent moisturizer and can even reduce scale thickness.

Black seeds may slow blood clotting and lower blood pressure, so people with clotting disorders, diabetes, or low blood pressure should speak with a doctor before use. Pregnant women should also avoid using black seed oil. Black seed oil may also have a sedative effect.

Black seed oil is a carrier oil. You can apply black seed oil directly to the skin or mix it with an essential oil before application. This method should help soothe itch and moisturize skin.

Also Check: Can You Have Multiple Types Of Psoriasis

Turn Up With Turmeric

Another noted anti-inflammatory and skin soother, a daily turmeric supplement can help treat psoriasis .

If youd rather not take a turmeric pill, you can add the spice directly to your food. Whether you enjoy a turmeric latte or a delicious curry, there are lots of turmeric recipes to try to help your skin.

A Natural Regimen For Christina Patrice And Scalp Psoriasis

Patrice prefers natural treatments to using steroids because of potential side effects, including redness and thinning of the skin, although Pariser said these concerns apply more to the face and other areas where the skin is already relatively thin.

Largely through experimentation, Patrice recommends these tips for beautiful hair with scalp psoriasis:

Try henna.Though henna is a hair-coloring product and not a psoriasis treatment, Patrice found her scalp virtually scale-free after just one treatment. It boggled my mind, she said. Initially she used it just to condition her hair, but she now applies it monthly to manage her psoriasis. In fact, she would use it more often, she said, except that applications are labor-intensive, and the henna has to stay on the hair for several hours or even overnight. She mixes the henna with coconut oil to soften the scales and create a sweet-smelling conditioner. Any 100 percent henna treatment will do, she said.

Rotate products. After a while, psoriasis will adapt to a certain product, Patrice noted on her blog. So, she rotates even her most effective products, sometimes washing with just a sweet-smelling conditioner for a month before going back to Shea Moisture.

You May Like: How To Stop Plaque Psoriasis

Suave Professionals Charcoal & Aloe Vera Clarifying Shampoo

The Suave Professionals Charcoal & Aloe Vera Clarifying Shampoos formula contains charcoalwhich takes toxins out of the scalp. Removing the toxins allows the scalp to breathe and catch a break from being overwhelmed with excess cell growth and plaques. The shampoo will help to remove flaking skin too.

How Is Scalp Psoriasis Diagnosed And Treated

Consulting with your doctor is first and foremost before going ahead with any treatment. After your doctor gives the green light to try remedies, then proceed with caution. Be mindful that there is no cure for psoriasis, but there are many ways to manage it. Your psoriasis treatments for your scalp will depend on how severe of a case you have, how your psoriasis has reacted too previous treatments, and how much hair you have, along with how thick it is, too.

The most common treatments are medications for your scalp that either are specially formulated for your scalp or in the form of shampoo with soothing ingredients. If your doctor has not prescribed you a medicated shampoo, you will have to find one OTC. But, that doesnt need to be a source of stress. Look for a shampoo that offers ingredients like salicylic acid, zinc pyrithione, or lactic acid.

Don’t Miss: What Does Psoriasis Scalp Look Like

Shampoo For Psoriasis And Color Treated Hair

People of any age and race can get scalp psoriasis. For some people, it occurs at an early age and for many, it may come later in life. For others, the scalp psoriasis may lay dormant in their body and never occur. Studies have shown that it is very common for psoriasis to be brought on by some type of trauma to the body. This can be something severe like cancer or surgery. Or, it could be something as simple as a bad sunburn. Whatever triggers your scalp psoriasis once it begins you must start to treat the symptoms as soon as possible to keep it under control. If you are someone who dyes their hair then this adds another condition to what products you can use for your scalp psoriasis. Having your hair colored costs a lot of money and you want it to last as long as possible. Heres what you should look for in a shampoo for psoriasis and color treated hair.

Hair Products For Psoriasis That Wont Strip Your Hair Colour

Nikki Parkinson Beauty

Ive had psoriasis since I was about nine years old.

My dad has had it pretty much forever.

Mine arrived post parentals divorce. I was a kid who internalised everything so, given its heredity tendencies, I guess it was bound to manifest its ugly scaly self on me at some time.

When it first appeared, it took up residence in the usual suspect places elbows, knees and scalp.

I cant remember when it kindly upped camp and shifted off my elbows and knees but I was grateful it did. Kids tease and this just gave them another thing to have a go at me about.

The scalp stuff? Yep, thats been my lifelong frenemy which I havent wanted to keep close but its stuck around anyway.

As a kid I was dragged around every skin specialist in Brisbanes Wickham Terrace. The only upshot of this was that I got a day off school every six months. It didnt improve my psoriasis but it did improve my resolve to mostly just let it be .

See, the idea of applying a sticky cream to my scalp through my thick head of hair was just not appealing. I still have nightmares about my well-meaning Nan taking to my scalp as a child with baby oil and a fine-toothed comb to try and remove it.

Mostly no-one knows I have it now except my hairdresser and anyone who sees me wearing a black top or dress. Even then they probably just think I have dandruff. Alas no, what you may see is just lovely little bits of my scalp. Icky.

Im also a somewhat vain person. Thats no secret.

Read Also: Cuã¡l Es La Mejor Crema Para La Psoriasis

The Nitty Gritty Of Scalp Psoriasis

Its easy to think that patches of dry, itchy skin on the scalp are caused by some kind of lack of hygiene. But cleanliness has nothing to do with scalp psoriasis.

Psoriasis is actually a chronic inflammatory disorder caused when the immune system doesnt work quite right. Doctors arent sure why, but some people have an immune system that churns out too many skin cells. Since the body cant get rid of these excess cells fast enough, they pile on top of each other, forming flakey, silvery scales.

Psoriasis can pop up anywhere on the body, but when it shows up on your head, dry skin patches can appear under the hair, on the back of the neck, and behind the ears.

Its easy to confuse psoriasis with dandruff, and sometimes dermatologists arent so sure themselves. When it looks like a blend between psoriasis and dandruff, they call it sebopsoriasis a cute couples name for seborrheic dermatitis, aka dandruff, and psoriasis.

However, some clues that your scalp irritation might be psoriasis include more defined or patterned pink scale-like plaques.

Dandruff looks more like generalized greasy flaking with pink patches. Over-the-counter shampoos can typically knock out dandruff, but scalp psoriasis is a little harder to treat.

Theraneem Naturals Gentle Therape Shampoo

True to its name, the TheraNeem shampoo is gentle and non-irritating, even to a sensitive, scaly and red scalp. Its gentle enough to use on a daily basis overall, Id rate this as one of the most mild shampoos you can use on your scalp. Its probably not as non-irritating as something like a homemade, pure soap nuts shampoo , but its pretty much the best you can get ready-made.

The shampoo is really liquid-y, but you can squirt it directly into your hair so application is easy enough. Theres a bit of foaming, too, so thatll feel familiar if youre just switching over from normal shampoo. The only downside, at least for me, is the scent but dont worry, its not overpowering and some seem to find it pleasant.

Ingredients: Aqueous extract of azadirachta Indica Leaf, Chammomila Recutica Flowers, Arnica Cordifolis, Pinus Sylvestris Bark, Ocimum Basillicum and Prunes Serotina Bark, Olefin Sulfonate, Polysorbate 20, Alkyl Polyglucoside, Lauramide DEA, Peg-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Azahirachta Indica Oil, Kosher Glycerin, Sodium Chloride , Panthenol, Fragrance Citric Acid. Certified Organic

Read Also: What Causes Psoriasis In Children

How To Live With Psoriasis

Here are a few general pieces of advice for living with psoriasis:

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 of the scalp. 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.

Read Also: Scalp Psoriasis And Psoriatic Arthritis