Hair expert shares top tips on what to do with a psoriasis afflicted scalp
Psoriasis is one of the most common inflammatory skin diseases in the world, affecting over 8 million people in the UK alone. And with celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Cyndie Lauper and Liam Gallagher voicing their struggles with it, psoriasis awareness is becoming more and more talked about.
But did you know psoriasis can also affect your scalp and hair health?
Up to 56 percent of people with psoriasis have it on their scalp, and for Psoriasis Awareness Month, I share how scalp psoriasis can affect your hair and what you can do about it.
What is psoriasis?
Psoriasis is an immune-mediated skin disease, meaning the condition is caused by an irregular response by the body’s immune system. It is one of the most common inflammatory skin diseases in the world.
Immune system overactivity accelerates skin cell growth which exceeds the average rate of skin cell shedding and instead causes cells to accumulate on the skin’s surface anywhere around the body in what are called plaques.
Where skin cells are usually shed and replaced every three to four weeks, it takes just three to seven days for psoriasis patients.
The condition can affect anyone, but it typically affects men, women and children between 15-22 and 55-70, with women more likely to suffer from the skin disorder earlier in life than men.
Sufferers can experience up and down periods when symptoms may remain mild and manageable, but specific triggers can cause symptoms to become severe and painful.
How can it affect hair and scalp health?
Psoriasis plaques on the scalp can look different depending on the person. They can look red or pink on paler skin, or dark purple or brown on darker skin tones.
They can form anywhere but they usually appear around the hairline, forehead, behind the ears and the back of the neck.
One of its most prominent effects is dandruff, as dry skin plaques become dry and powdery which causes them to peel easily and leave a dusty residue on the scalp.
Itching, experienced by at least 70 percent of people with scalp plaques, can cause some minor thinning. But in extreme cases, it can trigger alopecia.
How to help a psoriasis-affected scalp
Most forms of scalp psoriasis can be soothed with topical creams to reduce irritation. But in more severe cases, stronger treatments like steroid creams can be prescribed.
Regular sun exposure can also help to soothe irritated skin, as UV light has anti-bacterial properties to minimise irritation.
However, take care not to exceed 30 minutes maximum of sun exposure at a time. A protective UV spray should be applied to the scalp beforehand to prevent burning.
Your hair-washing schedule can also wreak havoc on psoriasis if you’re not careful. Stick to washing your hair no more than two to three times per week to allow your natural oils to nourish the scalp and prevent skin flaking.
You should also keep your shower temperature setting low. Choose a cold or warm setting while washing your hair.
Hair products containing drying ingredients like alcohol, fragrance and sulphates should be avoided in favour of ones with salicylic acid and coal tar which gently exfoliate the scalp. Coconut oil and shea butter can be used to hydrate and soothe itchiness.
You can also apply petroleum jelly to any dehydrated patches to reduce irritation.
How to style psoriasis-affected hair
Patches of psoriasis can easily flake and cause dandruff, particularly when using heat on your hair.
Where possible, try to let your hair air dry or use a hair dryer on a cooler setting.
If you’re looking to curl your hair, heatless curls are a great option. You can use a sock or a specific tool to wrap your hair around in sections and sleep in them overnight for effortless and heat-free waves.
Avoid using dry shampoo and hair spray to prevent drying out your scalp further. These products contain drying ingredients that will irritate the scalp and increase flaking.
Hair extensions are also great tools, as they can create the illusion of thick and healthy hair and help to cover any plaques you may be self-conscious of.
If you want to use extensions, make sure your hair is not experiencing a flare-up, as anything close to the scalp may irritate it further.
You can try clip-in extensions at home, or you can get them professionally done at the salon with an experienced stylist who is familiar with psoriasis.
Extensions need to be as minimally disruptive to the scalp as possible, so it is best to apply extensions slightly lower down, so they do not directly touch the scalp.
