Skin Health Psoriasis Living With How to Choose the Right Scalp Psoriasis Shampoo By Kathi Valeii Updated on April 20, 2024 Medically reviewed by Susan Bard, MD Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents What Is Scalp Psoriasis? How it Relieves Symptoms Types of Shampoo Choosing a Treatment Scalp Psoriais Shampoo Product Suggestions When Will You See Results? Side Effects What If Shampoo Doesn't Work? Treatment for scalp psoriasis often involves medicated shampoos. These shampoos may contain ingredients like salicylic acid, coal tar, or clobetasol propionate. Some of these products are available over the counter; others require a prescription. Finding the right scalp psoriasis shampoo can help you manage the condition and prevent complications. This article discusses shampoos for scalp psoriasis, side effects, and safety. Illustration by Mira Norian for Verywell Health What Is Scalp Psoriasis? Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory condition affecting the skin. Scalp psoriasis is a subtype that occurs on the scalp. Psoriasis affects 1% to 2% of North Americans; 80% have it on their scalp. Symptoms of Scalp Psoriasis Scalp psoriasis symptoms include: Red patches on the scalp Flaking and scaling (may be silver in color) Dryness Itching Bleeding Burning sensation Hair loss There are many types of psoriasis. Scalp psoriasis is a form of plaque psoriasis resulting in raised patches of thick skin called plaques. Psoriasis Treatments How Shampoo Relieves Scalp Psoriasis Symptoms Scalp psoriasis can be tricky to treat because the hair on the scalp makes applying topical treatments messy. Shampoos help solve that problem by making it easy to use topical medications through a cleaning agent. Different ingredients in shampoos work to target scalp psoriasis symptoms. Some ingredients soften scales, making them easier to remove, while others help reduce itching. Types of Scalp Psoriasis Shampoo Both OTC and prescription scalp psoriasis shampoos are available. The right one for you depends on the severity of your condition. There are some key ingredients to look for when choosing a psoriasis shampoo. A dermatologist (a healthcare provider specializing in skin conditions) can help you determine which is best for you. Ingredients in a Psoriasis Shampoo Some studies support the following medicinal ingredients:Salicylic acidCoal tarClobetasol propionate Salicylic Acid Salicylic acid treats skin conditions, including acne and psoriasis. It is in a class of drugs called keratolytic agents. It works to soften plaques so they can more easily be removed. Salicylic acid is a first-line therapy for scalp psoriasis. Does Salicylic Acid Help Psoriasis? Coal Tar Coal tar is derived from coal. It slows skin cell growth and reduces inflammation, itching, and scaling. For some people, tar can irritate and dry the skin, so you should test it out on a small patch before using it on your entire head. Coal tar also causes photosensitivity (increased sensitivity to UV radiation). This usually lasts for as long as the medication is active, up to 24 hours. Be extra careful in the sun when using this medication. How to Find a Good Psoriasis Soap Clobetasol Propionate Clobetasol propionate is a prescription topical medication that treats the itching, redness, scaling, and pain associated with scalp psoriasis. It is in a class of drugs called corticosteroids. Corticosteroids are the most prescribed treatment for psoriasis. Long-term use of these medications is not advised. Be sure to work with a healthcare provider to determine how long and how often you should be using them. Does Natural Shampoo for Scalp Psoriasis Work? Instead of medications, some shampoos contain natural ingredients to combat psoriasis. These may include: Aloe vera: Common skin soother Apple cider vinegar: Relieves itching but you should avoid it if you have cracks in your skin Capsaicin: A spicy ingredient in chili peppers that helps with psoriatic itch Dead sea salts: Exfoliates Oats: Soothes skin and reduces itch Tea tree oil: Used for its antiseptic properties Turmeric: Reduces inflammation Mahonia aquifolium (Oregon grape): Helps fight fungal or bacterial infections These natural ingredients may relieve symptoms for some people, especially if the psoriasis is mild. However, these are often not effective enough to be used alone. More frequently, they are used alongside standard medical care. How to Use Essential Oils for Psoriasis How to Choose a Treatment for Scalp Psoriasis Choosing the appropriate treatment depends on how severe your psoriasis is and other factors related to your overall health and lifestyle. A healthcare provider will help you determine which treatment is best. Because scalp psoriasis can be stubborn, seek medical guidance. This can reduce the time it takes to find effective treatment. A healthcare provider can help you understand what treatments might work best for you and what products have the best track record for treating similar cases. They can also ensure that you have an appropriate diagnosis. How to Relieve a Dry, Itchy Scalp Product Suggestions for Scalp Psoriasis Shampoo We created a list of the best shampoos for scalp psoriasis in consultation with three dermatologists. We prioritized products with expert-recommended ingredients such as salicylic acid or coal tar as well as those that could be used on all hair types, had hair-nourishing ingredients, or were recognized as a safe product by the National Psoriasis Foundation. The list includes: Best Overall: MG217 Psoriasis Medicated Conditioning ShampooBest Budget: Dermarest Psoriasis Medicated Shampoo Plus ConditionerBest Natural: Wild Naturals Eczema & Psoriasis Shampoo You should always consult a healthcare provider before starting any new psoriasis treatment product. When Will You See Results? How long treatment takes to work depends on the severity of your psoriasis. For mild scalp psoriasis, you may see immediate results from a medicated shampoo. On the other hand, a more moderate or severe case may require a few weeks before you experience relief or improvement. Side Effects and Safety Most of the medications in psoriasis shampoos are safe. However, as with all medicines, there are risks and potential side effects. These may include: Skin irritation Hair loss Photosensitivity Acne Rash Skin discoloration You can reduce your risk by ensuring that a healthcare provider and pharmacist know all the medications and supplements you take and follow the product instructions carefully. When to Contact a Healthcare Provider Rarely, a more severe reaction may occur, including:Severe skin reaction (e.g., skin breaking, pus, burning, pain, redness)Sudden weight gainUnusual fatigue, muscle weaknessDepression, irritabilityIf you notice any of these symptoms, seek medical care right away. What to Do Next If Scalp Psoriasis Shampoo Doesn’t Work If shampoos alone do not help your scalp psoriasis, you may require additional psoriasis treatment. A dermatologist can help you determine what next steps are appropriate. Some other psoriasis treatment options include: Topical medication Scale softeners Biologics (given via injection or IV) Other systemic (bodywide) medications including disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) Phototherapy (uses UVB lights to slow the growth of the affected skin) Summary The vast majority of people with plaque psoriasis have it on their scalp. Medicated shampoos that target scalp psoriasis may help. These shampoos often contain ingredients like coal tar, salicylic acid, and clobetasol, which target flaking, itching, and inflammation. Scalp psoriasis is notoriously stubborn, so working with a healthcare provider, like a dermatologist, can ensure you see results more quickly. Psoriasis Treatment 9 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Blakely K, Gooderham M. Management of scalp psoriasis: current perspectives. Psoriasis (Auckl). 2016;6:33-40. doi:10.2147/PTT.S85330 American Academy of Dermatology Association. Scalp psoriasis: symptoms. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Scalp psoriasis: Diagnosis and treatment. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Scalp psoriasis: Shampoos, scale softeners, and other treatments. National Library of Medicine. Salicylic acid topical. National Psoriasis Foundation. Over-the-counter topicals. National Library of Medicine. Clobetasol topical. National Psoriasis Foundation. Integrative approaches to care. National Psoriasis Foundation. Phototherapy. By Kathi Valeii Valeii is a Michigan-based freelance writer with a bachelor's degree in communication from Purdue Global. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit