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Health

Shampoos for scalp psoriasis

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 03.07.2025
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Psoriasis is classified as a chronic non-infectious disease affecting the skin and hair. The pathology manifests itself on the body with red spots, itching, peeling; it is localized on the knees, elbows, buttocks, feet, palms, genitals, and also in the hair.

Indications psoriasis shampoos

It is not always possible to determine the cause of psoriasis, but it is known that the disease is provoked by the following factors:

  • stress,
  • skin damage,
  • the influence of detergents and other chemicals,
  • abuse of cosmetics,
  • medical preparations.

Psoriasis causes white flakes to form on the scalp, similar to dandruff; however, psoriasis is not a defect, but a chronic disease. It is accompanied by excruciating itching, and when scratched, it causes bloody wounds.

Such symptoms are indications for the use of shampoos for scalp psoriasis. In addition, ointments and medicinal solutions are used. All medications should be prescribed by a dermatologist; timely medical attention helps to clarify the diagnosis (psoriasis, seborrhea, hair dermatitis, dandruff) and quickly eliminate the problem.

The skin with psoriasis becomes inflamed, becomes very sensitive, washing hair is accompanied by unpleasant sensations. Therefore, the scalp requires, in addition to treatment, special care and delicate treatment. Regular shampoos are not suitable for this, so painkillers, antifungal, anti-inflammatory components are introduced into the recipe. Extracts of medicinal plants and other natural components enrich special products with useful ingredients.

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Release form

Dermatological shampoos against psoriasis can be divided into several groups. Some are designed to eliminate fungi or microbes, others have a healing effect, and some only relieve psoriasis symptoms. Children's products are distinguished by exclusively useful and indifferent components in the composition.

Hair washing products prevent the progression of the disease, reduce the symptoms of the pathology, remove excess fat and dead epidermis. Hair gradually recovers, stops breaking and falling out.

Names of shampoos for scalp psoriasis:

  • antifungal - "Nizoral";

  • tar - "Psorilom", "Friderm tar", "Tar for a bath", "Algopix", "Zinc plus birch tar", "Tana", "911 tar", "Alfosil" with coal tar, "Golden Silk", "Denorex", "Image", "Tar" with collagen and aloe, "Fongitar", "Polytar";
  • medicinal – “Skin-Cap”;
  • cosmetics – “Sulsena”, “Natura”, “Harmony of pure metals”, “Friderm balance”, “Black currant” with medicinal herbs, “Psorian”;

  • children's - "Johnsons baby", "Me and Mom", "Nipp", "Easy combing", Neutral-Beby anti-allergenic, "Karapuz", "Tik-tak".

You should choose a shampoo for scalp psoriasis based on the recommendation of a specialist, but taking into account the reviews of other patients.

Pharmacodynamics

The pharmacodynamics of dermatological shampoos with tar consists of the local effect of active substances on problem skin. For example, "Friderm Tar" has astringent, antifungal, vasoconstrictive effects, prevents the proliferation of skin cells.

The active components of tar (cresol, phenol, guaiacol, phytoncides), which are part of shampoos for scalp psoriasis, have antiseptic, disinfectant, and anti-putrefactive effects.

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Pharmacokinetics

Anti-psoriasis shampoos have a local effect. More detailed data on the pharmacokinetics of scalp psoriasis shampoos are not presented.

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Dosing and administration

Tar shampoos for scalp psoriasis have a specific smell that does not disappear immediately.

  • Directions for use and dosage: apply a small amount of shampoo to wet hair, rub in, rinse and apply again. Leave the foamed product for five minutes, re-foam and rinse. To achieve the effect, repeat the procedure twice a week for three months.

Algopix shampoo is also applied and lathered twice, left for 10 minutes. Wash your hair once a week for about a month, then take a two-week break; repeat the course if necessary.

Nizoral is applied to psoriasis areas for 5 minutes, washed with running water; repeated twice a week for 4 weeks.

The duration of the course of treatment depends on the localization, degree of damage, response to treatment. The schemes for using shampoos for psoriasis are prescribed by a dermatologist individually for each patient.

All shampoos for scalp psoriasis are used externally only. If they accidentally get into your eyes, rinse them thoroughly with clean water.

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Use psoriasis shampoos during pregnancy

The use of tar during pregnancy is not recommended due to the presence of the carcinogen benzopyrene. The ban also applies to women who are breastfeeding and planning a pregnancy. No studies have been conducted on the safety of using shampoos for scalp psoriasis for this category of patients.

"Skin-Cap with zinc", a drug against various groups of microorganisms, can be used by pregnant women, but with the permission of the attending physician.

Contraindications

Contraindications to the use of shampoos for scalp psoriasis include hypersensitivity to individual components, such as tar. It is not recommended to use such preparations during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

For children, special shampoos are recommended – without fragrances, dyes, harmful substances, created from natural ingredients.

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Side effects psoriasis shampoos

With increased sensitivity, side effects in the form of increased pathological signs of psoriasis are possible, but this happens rarely. Long-term use of tar and its preparations can cause local irritation.

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Overdose

There are no reports of overdosing on shampoos for scalp psoriasis.

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Interactions with other drugs

Psoriasis requires complex therapy, and shampoos are only part of the treatment. Tar in its pure form is not compatible with sulfanilamide drugs, phenothiazines and other agents that increase the photosensitivity of the dermis. No negative interactions with other drugs have been found in shampoos for scalp psoriasis.

Sulfur and salicylic acid enhance the action of tar; they also protect the skin from irritation.

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Storage conditions

Shampoos for scalp psoriasis, like all similar preparations, are kept in a dark place, out of reach of children. Storage conditions provide for a wide temperature range: from two to 30 degrees.

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Shelf life

The typical shelf life of scalp psoriasis shampoos is 3 years.

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The best shampoo for scalp psoriasis

Good shampoos for scalp psoriasis do not contain lauryl (laurite) sulfates, propylene glycol. A strong aroma, bright color with a pearlescent tint, abundant foam also do not indicate high quality cosmetics, rather the opposite.

In the nomination "Best shampoo for scalp psoriasis" of Internet ratings, users put forward the following brands:

  • "Friderm tar"
  • "Sulsena"
  • "Psorilom"
  • "Libriderm zinc"
  • "Algopix",
  • "Skin-Cap".

The most popular of the children's shampoos is Johnson's Baby.

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Reviews of shampoos for scalp psoriasis

According to many reviews, the effectiveness of the shampoo for scalp psoriasis "Friderm Tar" is confirmed by practice: psoriasis symptoms disappear in a few weeks. However, for some patients it dries the skin and does not have a therapeutic effect.

Positive reviews of shampoos for scalp psoriasis "Psorilom" - tar and salicylic. Already from the first time they note an improvement in the condition of the problem area, a decrease in unpleasant sensations. They note that the tar smell of this shampoo quickly disappears.

  • The time-tested "Sulsena" receives consistently good reviews, but it is advisable to periodically alternate it with other care products to avoid addiction and a reduction in the therapeutic effect.

Some patients are satisfied with the positive results from the constant use of shampoos intended for children. Opinions are divided regarding the alternation of preparations: some advise finding "your" preparation and washing your hair only with it; others, on the contrary, are convinced of the high efficiency of the alternating use of dermatological preparations.

Shampoos for scalp psoriasis are an important, but still auxiliary component in a complex of treatment methods. Self-medication is prohibited here. Only a doctor should determine which medications and shampoos with which properties are suitable for the complete elimination of symptoms and causes of an unpleasant disease.

Attention!

To simplify the perception of information, this instruction for use of the drug "Shampoos for scalp psoriasis" translated and presented in a special form on the basis of the official instructions for medical use of the drug. Before use read the annotation that came directly to medicines.

Description provided for informational purposes and is not a guide to self-healing. The need for this drug, the purpose of the treatment regimen, methods and dose of the drug is determined solely by the attending physician. Self-medication is dangerous for your health.

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