If you are searching for a scalp psoriasis shampoo you are not alone. Millions of people suffer with scalp psoriasis. In fact, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation, over half of the people that have body psoriasis also have scalp psoriasis. Scalp psoriasis can vary significantly from person to person from mild to severe and finding a scalp psoriasis shampoo that works for your body may take some trial and error. If you are reading online reviews or testimonials it is very important to remember that no scalp psoriasis shampoo will work for everyone. It is very common to see someone say “It did nothing for me” and then read another testimonial that says “This scalp psoriasis shampoo is the best”. However, you need to understand that not all scalp psoriasis shampoos are created equal. It is also important to understand that the most expensive scalp psoriasis shampoo may not necessarily be the best. Hopefully the information contained in this article will help you find the scalp psoriasis shampoo that is right for you.

Start with an Over-The-Counter scalp psoriasis Shampoo

Most people with minor to mild scalp psoriasis should be able to find a product that will work well at their local pharmacy or drugstore. At first glance the search for a scalp psoriasis shampoo may be a little overwhelming. You will see many brands and some will be cheap and others may seem expensive. To simplify your search you should look at the active ingredient in the shampoo. There are two specific active ingredients that are recognized by the FDA as a treatment for scalp psoriasis; salicylic acid and coal tar. Next look at the percentage of the active ingredient. A higher percentage will be a stronger scalp psoriasis shampoo and may cost a little more. Both of these ingredients are designed to help your body remove dead skin cells more quickly. The goal is to remove all of the scaling and dead cells as quickly as possible so your scalp will look normal without any build up. Once the scaling has been removed you will notice less dandruff as well. Salicylic acid or coal tar will specifically help achieve this result. You may need to try both of these to see if one works better for you. Start with salicylic acid first because coal tar sometimes has a bad odor. However, if salicylic acid does not work you may have to deal with coal tar. Let’s face it, the odor will be worth it if the scalp psoriasis shampoo will clear up your condition.

Next you should consider the other ingredients in the scalp psoriasis shampoo.  Keep in mind with these shampoos you will often have to lather up and leave it on for one to three minutes. Since the shampoo is formulated to help with your scalp you need to consider how this will also affect your hair. Salicylic acid and coal tar are not gentle ingredients and may dry out your hair. For this reason you should look for a scalp psoriasis shampoo that is also a conditioner all in one. A conditioning shampoo will have ingredients like biotin or collagen and also have beneficial herbal extracts. A good scalp psoriasis shampoo will also include vitamins, minerals and proteins. These can be synthetic ingredients or they could be incorporated through the use of food based ingredients like eggs. If you can find a scalp psoriasis shampoo that contains egg you should definitely try it. Eggs naturally contain over 70 vitamins minerals and proteins. The protein from the eggs will be amazing for your hair and the vitamins and minerals will certainly benefit your scalp.

You May Need a Prescription Scalp Psoriasis Shampoo

If you try several different over-the-counter shampoos and none of them seem to be working for you then you may need to go see your doctor for a scalp psoriasis shampoo that is stronger. Keep in mind that prescription scalp psoriasis shampoos will often contain steroids and other drug ingredients that may not be good for your body in the long term. It is always best if you can avoid these drug products but if your condition persists try to eliminate the amount of time that you use them.

You May Need Other Products

Sometimes a psoriasis shampoo is simply not enough to get your condition under control. Remember that shampoos are typically only left on the scalp for a short period of time each day.  By adding a topical cream or even a scalp oil to your daily treatment you may be able to accelerate your progress. A topical cream can be left on through out the day or night giving the medication much more time to work on your psoriasis. A scalp oil can be used to help loosen the plaque build up so it can be more easily removed when you use your psoriasis shampoo.