Hair Care in Scalp Psoriasis

If you have scalp psoriasis, how you look after your hair can make a difference. Scalp psoriasis makes your scalp dry and easily irritated, so you want to be gentle when styling your hair. Skin specialists recommend the following general advice:

Oiling Your Scalp

Loosening scale over the scalp can help relieve itching and help medication work more effectively. You can do this by softening the scale with an oil-based product - options include olive, coconut or arachis oil before bed. Oil can be applied onto the scalp and massaged in, section by section. You can then wrap your head in a towel, shower cap or cling film and leave the oil on your scalp for at least 30-60 minutes (or overnight) to help it soften scale. You can then wash the scalp and hair with regular or tar shampoo. While the scalp is still damp, the scales should be softened and looser, making them easier to remove by hand. You may find this more manageable if you have someone to help. Place a plastic, fine-toothed comb flat against the scalp and gently rotate it in a circular motion. Loosen the scale carefully and try to comb it out of the hair. Do not remove scales too aggressively, as this can damage the skin and cause hair loss. You can then shampoo again to wash away debris from the scalp and out of the hair. The

hair may need two washes if it remains oily.

Brushing and combing: Be gentle when brushing and combing. Scratching or scraping your scalp with a brush or comb can cause a psoriasis flare on your scalp.

Rollers and curling irons: Take care when using these and limit how often you use them. Avoid pulling on your hair. Prevent hot rollers and curling irons from touching your scalp. The heat can irritate or burn your scalp, which could cause a psoriasis flare.

Tight hairstyles: Avoid these. Pulling too tightly on the hair can irritate the scalp, causing psoriasis to flare. Over time, it can also cause hair loss.

Use shampoos for sensitive scalps: Any kind of irritation from your shampoo or other hair products can be a trigger for a psoriasis flare.

Colouring, perming, or relaxing your hair: These can boost your self-esteem, but they can also cause psoriasis to flare.

You can reduce flares by:

• Ask your skin specialist what is recommended if you want to colour, perm, or relax your hair.
• Avoid colouring, perming, relaxing, and blowouts when your psoriasis flares.