For anyone who suffers from scalp psoriasis, the last thing you want to read is another post that tells you what you already know about your condition. You want to read something that has some answers and suggestions for you. Well, this post will do just that. We will reveal you the best natural psoriasis shampoo and conditioner and tell you exactly why and how it works.
Scalp Psoriasis versus Dandruff
Unless you have been to a doctor for an official diagnosis, do not assume what you have is scalp psoriasis. While this is the most severe of the types of scalp conditions, it is possible that you may have a classic case of dandruff or another condition similar to it, seborrheic dermatitis. Scalp psoriasis is quite different from both of these conditions, as anyone suffering from this condition can tell you. While both produce scalp flakes, psoriasis has a distinct, red, scaling effect that can cover the forehead, back of the neck, and even in the ears. The rash can also trigger hair loss. The good news is that both of the conditions – scalp psoriasis or dandruff – can be relieved with the same product.
What to avoid in shampoo when you have psoriasis?
If you have psoriasis, then you know the last thing you want to do is exacerbate the condition. And unfortunately, what you probably now know, is that most shampoos irritate your scalp AND your psoriasis. Finding a product that can cleanse your hair and scalp, but not aggravate your psoriasis is a delicate balance. Be on the lookout for these ingredients in your shampoos. You should avoid them if you can.
- Fragrances– manufacturers use a variety of different methods to get smells into our products. Those smells come at a price since most are generated with chemicals. These chemicals will irritate your scalp and either make your psoriasis worse or trigger a flare-up. Look for shampoos with just mild smell, and natural oil-based fragrances used. If a shampoo has a strong smell (even a really good one), it is most likely that harmful chemical fragrances are used.
- Alcohol– this is more common in beauty products, but it can still pop up in shampoos from time-to-time. If you see alcohol in the ingredients list for your shampoo, leave it on the shelf. Alcohol has a drying effect, so that is not what you need.
- Sulfates– these are what make your shampoos lather up. However, to someone with psoriasis, a sulfate is not something you need. Sulfates have a drying effect on the scalp. And like has already been said before, anything drying is the opposite of what a person with psoriasis needs. There are 2 most common sulfates used in mainstream shampoos – Sodium Lauryl Sulfate(SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES). However, it is easy to mix these up with a harmless naturally derived product called Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate (SLSA) or Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate. The last two are safe to be used with psoriasis on scalp. So, in short, avoid SLS and SLES!
- AHA– AHA stands for alpha hydroxy acid. This is a common ingredient in shampoos. People love it because they strip hair of dirt and pollutants without stealing all of the moisture out of the hair. In a person with psoriasis, any amount of moisture pulled out of the hair and scalp is too much.
- Parabens – these are common ingredients found in shampoos and other beauty products. The jury is still out on parabens. Some doctors say they can cause skin irritations and may even possess cancerous properties. Others say that the amount of parabens found in beauty products isn’t as high in concentration as we think they are, and there is no need to avoid them. To be on the safe side, just avoid them. When you have a condition like psoriasis, there is no reason to take any chances on something that might cause irritation.
These are the main ingredients you should avoid when shopping for a psoriasis shampoo. As a note of caution, even for shampoos and ingredients that are recommended for psoriasis scalp, you can have an adverse reaction. Test a portion of your scalp before you use your new shampoo all over. What works for one person may not work for you. Treat these medicated shampoos just like you would any other type of prescription.
Can psoriasis can hair loss?
Yes, it absolutely can cause hair thinning and hair loss. The bright side of this is that the hair loss is temporary. Once the flare-up subsides, your hair will grow back. During a flare-up, your scalp may itch to a point where it feels unbearable. To get relief, you are going to try to scratch your scalp. The problem when you have psoriasis is that scratching your itch only makes things worse. It’s just one big vicious cycle. You may scratch your scalp so hard, you cause your hair to fall out. It is difficult to not scratch when your scalp feels like that, but that is the best thing you can do to preserve your hair. Cold compresses are another suggestion for trying to calm your scalp down.
Natural oils against psoriasis
Some essential oils are indeed effective for relieving symptoms of psoriasis. Let’s point out 3 of the most beneficial for the skin and hair.
- Argan oil contains a lot of beneficial nutrients, has anti-inflammatory, wound healing, moisturizing and antioxidant capacities.
- Tea tree oil has potential because of its antimicrobial properties, and coconut oil is known to be very moisturizing.
- While not an oil, aloe vera is excellent for soothing skin. Anyone who has psoriasis should use products on their skin that contain aloe vera.
But take caution with any new product, even natural ones. Not every person responds the same way.
Sphagnum Shampoo – best treatment for scalp psoriasis?
Out of all the shampoos on the market, why choose Sphagnum? There are countless other prescription and over the counter shampoos that you can pick. What makes this one special? To be honest with you, it’s the unique ingredients that comprise this shampoo that put it above the rest. Sphagnum Botanicals uses a few extraordinary ingredient in this shampoo: pure deep-harvested Nordic peat mud that is full of fulvic & humic acids. Both are known for their anti-inflammatory and healing properties. That makes them both ideal ingredients for a shampoo made for people living with psoriasis.
From a compound standpoint, fulvic and humic acid have two different compositions in terms of cell size and things like that. But when you are talking about psoriasis, both work together and bring some of the same qualities to the table. Both of these possess anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Those things are both crucial for someone with psoriasis. As we said earlier, psoriasis is an inflammation. What better to curtail an inflammation than something that is loaded with anti-inflammatory ingredients? And since psoriasis can trigger bacterial or yeast infections, what’s better than something with antimicrobial ingredients? These compounds tackle two of the primary problems that people with psoriasis of the scalp can have. These compounds also work to regenerate hair growth, which is crucial for anyone who has suffered hair loss due to psoriasis.
These compounds are what make this mud so special. Spas in Europe have used peat mud for years. They have known for hundreds of years what this mud can do for your skin. In addition to helping treat a variety of skin ailments, this mud is also useful in the anti-aging process. It is almost like a miracle mud. It hydrates, heals, enhances skin texture, and slows down wrinkle formation.
Not all peat mud is the same. The best quality mud comes from a specific part of Northern Europe. You can find peat mud in a few other parts of the world as well, but it won’t be as potent. It may contain some of the same enzymes and acids, but not at the same levels. Sphagnum’s mud comes only from the peat bogs of Europe where the concentration of the useful acids and other micro-elements is the highest.
Sphagnum shampoo also contains argan oil. This oil is rich in Vitamin E, which is known for being hydrating to the skin. It has also been known to have anti-inflammatory properties as well. This is also an essential ingredient in a shampoo for someone with psoriasis.
Coal Tar Shampoo for Psoriasis?
While it is notable what Sphagnum puts into their shampoo; what we leave out is just as noticeable. An ingredient that you will notice is missing from this shampoo is coal tar. In most medication shampoos, coal tar is a primary component. Coal tar can help slow the rapid growth of cells which create the scales and patches, and it also possesses anti-inflammatory properties. However, coal tar comes with some considerable downsides. The smell is pungent and will linger in your hair. It will also stain light colored hair and linens. There is also the possibility that coal tar contains carcinogens. For this reason, it is advisable to avoid using coal tar and stick with more natural solutions, especially ones not linked to cancer-causing agents.
Psoriasis Shampoo and Conditioner
For those eager to purchase this all-natural OTC shampoo, don’t worry about finding a conditioner to match. Sphagnum Botanicals has you covered. Spahgnum has a matching conditioner that compliments the shampoo for scalp psoriasis. This conditioner contains ingredients good for your scalp as well as products that will leave your hair feeling silky smooth.
Eczema shampoo?
While labeled for psoriasis, this product works well for eczema sufferers as well. While typically found elsewhere on the body, eczema on scalp can sometimes also appear. In those cases, products for psoriasis are great for eczema sufferers too. This product is gentle enough that a person can use it on their skin as well as their hair. And since it is all-natural, you don’t have to worry about chemicals on your skin and in your bath products.
Other products that help scalp psoriasis
If your scalp psoriasis is mild, there are other products you can consider. These are other shampoos you can use to help with psoriasis treatment. Take note, with any medicated shampoo you are only to wash your scalp with it to treat the scales and flakes. Use a moisturizing conditioner on your hair.
- MG217 – This is a medicated shampoo that you can purchase over the counter for a reasonable price. Sadly, this product contains 3% coal tar.
- Neutrogena T-Gel Shampoo – Neutrogena is a well-respected brand in the beauty industry. T Gel is known for working with mild scalp conditions to relieve itching. This product contains .5% coal tar.
- Dermarest Psoriasis Medicated Shampoo Plus Conditioner – salicylic acid is another ingredient that works in some cases of psoriasis when used in the right dosage. However, this shampoo contains Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) that we already mentioned before as an irritating ingredient for the scalp.
User feedback
Customer reviews are sometimes the best judge of a product’s efficacy. The Sphagnum psoriasis shampoo reviews on Amazon speak for themselves. Customers note the earthy smell of the shampoo, which attests to the all-natural mud used in the product. Multiple customers mention that they used the shampoo on trouble spots on their skin and face and got incredible relief from both psoriasis vulgaris, eczema, and even rosacea. Those that used it on the skin responded that they had never felt their skin this soft. For many, this was the first product that ever helped them.
Here are just a few of those reviews:
Conclusion
While there are countless psoriasis products on the market, hopefully, this helped you sort through some of them. While a medication shampoo from your doctor is beneficial, that may not always be the best route for you. Some ingredients that can help psoriasis don’t work on every person. Some are just not good for anyone, even though they can help the condition. Sphagnum Botanicals is committed to bringing all-natural solutions to our customers, and our peat mud products do just that. Give us a try and see what this miracle mud can do for your skin and scalp. If you say our product doesn’t work for you, we will give you a 100% refund. No questions asked.