Editor Tip: Since flake-minimizing shampoos tend to have intensive active ingredients in their formulas, we don’t recommend using them daily. Selsun Blue suggests washing your hair with this shampoos twice per week for optimal results.
Key Ingredients: Selenium sulfide, menthol | Who It’s For: Anyone who wants an affordable flake-reducing shampoo.
Best In-Shower Treatment: Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
Why It’s Worth It: Nizoral’s Anti-Dandruff Shampoo contains ketoconazole, which Dr. Zeichner says is an effective anti-fungal medication that lowers yeast levels on the scalp, and lowering yeast levels leads to less inflammation and flaking.
Editor Tip: Even though it’s technically a shampoo, Dr. Zeichner suggests using Nizoral’s formula as a scalp treatment. “Rub it into the scalp with your fingertips and let it lather while you slowly sing the alphabet, then rinse out.” Leaving the formula on for a few minutes allows the medication to work its magic.
Key Ingredients: Ketoconazole, | Who It’s For: Anyone who wants a tried-and-true, dermatologist-approved shampoo for reducing flakes and itchiness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is scalp psoriasis?
It’s pretty safe to say that scalp problems of any nature, including itchiness and flaking, are extremely annoying to anyone who suffers from them. But scalp psoriasis — a common condition characterized by thick, red, scaly patches of skin that can cover the entire scalp and be chronic — is arguably one of the most painful and inconvenient. This condition is one of the many types of psoriasis, a disorder that New York City board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD previously described to Allure as an irritated reaction from the immune system to the skin, leading to red, scaly plaques and a rash-like reaction.
To explain further, Tsippora Shainhouse, MD a board-certified dermatologist in Beverly Hills and a clinical instructor at the University of Southern California, told Allure that this condition “is a genetic, autoimmune, inflammatory condition in which your skin cells divide too quickly and do not shed quickly enough.” The extra cells that don’t shed quickly enough form inflamed, scaly plaques on skin. The condition’s symptoms usually manifest on skin, but, according to Shainhouse, psoriasis is also associated with other diseases including psoriatic arthritis, metabolic syndrome, elevated triglycerides, increased risk for heart disease, and obesity. Psoriasis, which can range from moderate to severe cases, is considered a chronic disease, which means flare-ups can come and go throughout your lifetime.
What psoriasis treatments are available without a prescription?
We would never say that any at-home remedy could ever replace a full consultation with a board-certified dermatologist, but if you want over-the-counter finds that’ll temporarily ease symptoms before your appointment, you’ve come to the right page. Though they won’t necessarily get to the root and treat scalp psoriasis, they’ll provide some soothing, calming flare-up relief.