Psoriaguy here! If you have psoriasis, you know how tough it can be to find the right treatment for your scalp. It's important to use a shampoo that's gentle on then skin, but also effective at dealing with the flakes and itches. That's where special psoriasis-focused shampoos come in. Here are a few common ones you've probably come across, or may have even tried already:
Salicylic acid: This active ingredient is a keratolytic, which means it helps to soften and loosen scaly skin. It can also help to reduce inflammation and redness.
Coal tar: This ingredient is derived from coal (if you were a terrible person last year and got coal for Xmas, hang onto it), and it's known for its ability to slow down the growth of skin cells. It can be helpful for reducing itching and scaling on the scalp.
Nizoral: This shampoo contains ketoconazole, an antifungal agent that can help to reduce inflammation and scaling on the scalp.
It's important to note that everyone's noggin is different, and what works for you may not work for someone else. Also, it may work for a while before it stops working; that may be a good opportunity to try something new.
The best advice we can give when it comes to shampoos is to rotate the shampoos you do for each wash. For example, on Monday you may wash your hair with a salicylic acid-based shampoo, on Wednesday you may use one with coal tar, and Friday is Nizoral day. By rotating the shampoos you use, you may find that it remains effective far longer than simply using the same shampoo over and over.
And while we're at it, check out our blog post on creating your own DIY scalp treatment.
Scalp psoriasis is super annoying, but you've got this!