What is the best psoriasis shampoo?

Psoriasis shampoos should not be used like normal shampoos. They are not designed to clean the hair, which means you may need to use a regular shampoo to wash your hair after you have finished the treatment.

You should use psoriasis shampoos exactly as directed by your pharmacist or doctor. If you’re in doubt, carefully consult the patient information leaflet that came with the product – if you can’t find it, you can search for it online at Medicines.org.

When applying psoriasis shampoo to your scalp, make sure you use the recommended amount, and make sure that it reaches the scalp, and doesn’t get stuck in the hair. Some psoriasis shampoos must be left on for 10-15 minutes, while others should be rubbed in and rinsed out twice.

You shouldn’t leave psoriasis shampoo in your hair longer than recommended as you could damage the skin.

You can wash your hair as much as feels right for you, provided it isn’t causing irritation to your scalp and making your psoriasis worse. Medicated shampoos like Polytar and Neutrogena T/Gel are designed to be used about twice a week for a period of four to six weeks, however you can use normal shampoos in between.

If you have oily hair look for a mild, daily use shampoo to use on your days off. If you have dry hair you might want to shampoo less often and use moisturising conditioners. It can also be helpful to shampoo with lukewarm, rather than hot water, and to be careful about styling – avoid tight hairstyles, heated styling tools, and vigorous brushing or combing.

Another type of treatment for scalp psoriasis is scalp application. These are medicated ointments, gels or liquids applied directly to the scalp. Scalp applications might contain coal tar, vitamin D analogues, or steroids.

Unlike psoriasis shampoos, scalp applications should not be washed out. One exception to this is Cocois Ointment – this product contains coal tar and salicylic acid and should be applied to the scalp for one hour before being shampooed out.

Coal tar scalp applications are typically available over the counter without a prescription. Scalp applications containing vitamin D analogues or steroids typically require a prescription from your doctor.

As we’ve already highlighted, several types of psoriasis shampoo and scalp application are available without a prescription. Certain products, including Polytar, can even be bought without speaking to a pharmacist.

However, it’s generally a good idea to speak to a medical professional before you start using any psoriasis shampoo or scalp application – if you haven’t received a diagnosis of scalp psoriasis, you may end up using the wrong treatment.

To learn more, make an appointment with your GP, or pop into your nearest LloydsPharmacy for advice from one of our experienced Pharmacists.