Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease with periodic relapses. In order to accelerate the onset of remission and increase its duration, it is important to properly care for the affected areas, including the scalp.

What shampoo to use for psoriasis of the head and what additional procedures are necessary for effective skin care, we will tell in this article.

Why psoriasis affects the scalp

The disease can affect any part of the body, including the scalp. Scientists believe that the main reason for the prevalence of psoriasis on the head is the special structure of the epithelium in this part of the skin. In addition, when combing the hair, microtraumas are constantly caused, which can cause the development of the disease.

Psoriasis on the head is manifested by voluminous rashes on the skin that peel off. The affected areas may be covered with scales of dead skin. Often, rashes are accompanied by a feeling of tightness and itching. The affected areas may be inflamed, sometimes cracks form on them. Most often, psoriasis appears along the hairline, but its symptoms can appear behind the ears, on the forehead or neck, and in severe cases, cover the entire scalp.

What factors can provoke scalp psoriasis

The causes of the disease are not fully understood, but it is assumed that it is associated with a genetic predisposition. In addition, there are many factors that can provoke the first appearance of the disease or its relapses. For example, if you choose the wrong shampoo to wash your hair with scalp psoriasis, exacerbations are inevitable.

In addition, provoking factors include previous infectious diseases, stress, poor nutrition, climatic conditions, alcohol consumption, smoking. In particular, relapses can occur after consuming large amounts of alcohol, coffee, chocolate, dishes with vinegar or pepper.

Psoriasis usually starts with a small skin lesion that becomes inflamed. Flare-ups are more common in winter, but summer heat can also trigger them.

The condition of the skin also depends on what shampoo you use. Shampoos with harsh active ingredients and potential allergens (e.g. fragrances) can cause a relapse.

What scalp hygiene rules should be followed for psoriasis?

Of course, you need to wash your hair regularly, but it is important to remember simple rules:

1. When washing your hair and caring for your hair, you need to be careful to reduce the number of microtraumas, which are factors that provoke exacerbations.
2. You should check with a dermatologist which shampoo you can use to wash your hair for psoriasis. In any case, the product should be therapeutic, not just cosmetic.
3. Care products should not only eliminate the symptoms of psoriasis, but also additionally moisturize the skin and hair, accelerate regeneration.
4. After washing your hair, it is not recommended to wipe your hair intensively, and it is also not advisable to use a hairdryer, because it dries the skin.

What recommendations do dermatologists give for washing your hair

How often to wash your hair with psoriasis depends on the type of hair. If possible, dermatologists recommend avoiding washing it too often so as not to overdry the scalp and provoke peeling. Experts advise washing your hair 2-3 times a week. If necessary, for example, after active sports, it is recommended to rinse your hair with water without using detergent.

If there is a need to wash your hair daily, you should use only mild therapeutic shampoos that are designed for this purpose. Products that are not labeled “for daily use” should not be used every day, as this may cause the disease to relapse. It is advisable that a dermatologist recommends which shampoo to use for scalp psoriasis. The doctor’s recommendations take into account the severity of symptoms, the patient’s individual characteristics, and other factors.

Therapeutic shampoo is usually applied to wet hair, distributed over the entire length and scalp with gentle massage movements, and left for 5-10 minutes. If the instructions for the shampoo indicate a different method of use, it is necessary to follow this. It is important to rinse the shampoo completely so that its residues do not provoke irritation.

What not to do with scalp psoriasis

Before washing your hair with a shampoo for psoriasis, you must carefully study the instructions and make sure that there are no contraindications. You cannot use hot water for washing, as it can worsen the condition of the skin. The water should be warm or cool. It is important to choose brushes or combs for combing your hair that do not injure the skin.

If the scales are not removed by the action of shampoo or other means, you should not make any effort to do so, as this will lead to skin injuries.

Before washing your hair with scalp psoriasis, it is important to choose an effective treatment that will not only gently remove dirt, but also significantly reduce unpleasant symptoms that reduce the quality of life. It is worth paying attention to the shampoo Mediderm®️, which is designed specifically for the treatment of psoriasis. Its main active ingredient is white tar, which has an exfoliating and antibacterial effect, relieves burning and itching. Buy shampoo Mediderm®️ for regular use, in this case, peeling gradually decreases, you can achieve stable remission.