This was my most recent article for Black Girl Long Hair. Enjoy!
During my 10th grade year in high school, my dermatologist diagnosed me with psoriasis. I remember being frustrated, confused, sad, and ashamed, among other things. Being in high school was hard enough -- but now I've got to walk around with red flaky scales all over my body, and in my hair, like some kind of contagious freak. Even as an adult, dealing with flaky scalp (Black shirt? No thank you!) and skin scales has been difficult and at times, embarrassing. But as time ticked along, I began to accept my psoriasis and learned how to effectively cope with it on my skin. Wearing long sleeved shirts and long pants was inconvenient, but simple. The challenge? Trying to camouflage scalp scales, or even better -- get them to go away.
Clobetasol
Propionate is a corticosteroid available in an array of forms (ointment, gel,
etc.) but for the scalp, most doctors prescribe it in foam form. It is a very
strong steroid, and is not recommended for use beyond two weeks. It is
effective in reducing plaques and inflammation, but has a laundry list of
potential side effects. Not only is the foam solution in alcohol (yes, the
drying kind that we run away from), but it can cause allergic contact
dermatitis, burning, cracking, dryness, folliculitis, hair loss, hyperpigmentation,
itching, finger numbness, skin atrophy, and more. I would stay away from this,
unless you are desperate for relief and are all out of options. My
dermatologist prescribed this to me at the beginning of the year, and I have
yet to touch the stuff.
This
shampoo has been a godsend. It is all natural and sulfate free. The black soap
and plantain enzymes definitely provide relief in terms of reducing itching and
inflammation, much like coal tar. The willow bark extract has the same
exfoliating effect as salicylic acid, and the tea tree oil provides that
necessary anti-bacterial/anti-fungal layer of protection. It is an excellent
all-natural alternative to the sulfated shampoos. It does not dry out or
irritate the scalp, but does have a clarifying effect on the hair. It performs
best in conjunction with the accompanying African Black Soap Purifying Masque.
However, much like any psoriasis treatment, it requires regular use and
rotation. It will not make psoriasis disappear, but will provide noticeable
relief.
Scalp challenges
go far beyond dandruff and excess oil. There are some scalp conditions that
require medical attention and regular treatments and if left uncared for, can
result in hair loss and damage. Not to mention, they can be unsightly,
embarrassing, and carry self-esteem crushing social stigmas. Three of the most
common scalp conditions are psoriasis, eczema, and seborrheic dermatitis. I
suffer from psoriasis.
Psoriasis is a
non-contagious, auto-immune condition characterized by skin redness and
irritation .With psoriasis, the skin growth/regeneration process is
accelerated, causing scaly plaques of skin to surface rapidly. Psoriasis can be
aggravated by stress, fragrant lotions/sprays/body washes, alcohol consumption,
dry skin, and injuries to the skin. There is no cure for psoriasis, only
various medications and treatments to help those with it cope.
During my 10th grade year in high school, my dermatologist diagnosed me with psoriasis. I remember being frustrated, confused, sad, and ashamed, among other things. Being in high school was hard enough -- but now I've got to walk around with red flaky scales all over my body, and in my hair, like some kind of contagious freak. Even as an adult, dealing with flaky scalp (Black shirt? No thank you!) and skin scales has been difficult and at times, embarrassing. But as time ticked along, I began to accept my psoriasis and learned how to effectively cope with it on my skin. Wearing long sleeved shirts and long pants was inconvenient, but simple. The challenge? Trying to camouflage scalp scales, or even better -- get them to go away.
Over the
past twelve years that I've dealt with psoriasis, I have tried a number of
remedies that didn’t work at all, worked but wrecked my hair, or worked well
but required regular upkeep. Having psoriasis presents a particular set of
challenges to sufferers:
- Frequent flaking makes wearing scalp-showing styles embarrassing (no cornrows or braids).
- Scales surface quickly (every 3-4 days), requiring frequent washing/lifting from scalp, which leads to high manipulation, and drying of hair.
- Scales are itchy, and frequent scratching lends itself to damaging skin, making sufferers more prone to infections (and hair loss at site of infection).
- Frequent scale removal increases hair loss (because strands of hair become caught in the flaking skin).
- Straightened styles (i.e. flat iron or blowout) last no more than a week, because of flaking.
- Psoriasis adapts to treatments quickly, which requires a rotation of products to maintain effectiveness.
There are a
lot of products out there that claim to provide relief from psoriasis. Let's
explore them -- breaking down the good, the bad, and the overall effectiveness.
Solution 1: Coal Tar & Salicylic Acid Shampoos
Needless
to say, Head & Shoulders isn't going to do the trick. Coal tar and
salicylic acid are two additives to shampoos like Neutrogena T-Gel and T-Sal
that are believed to help psoriasis sufferers. Coal tar extract is dark brown
in color, and is a byproduct of the coal carbonization process. Coal tar works
topically, slowing the growth of skin cells and helping to reduce inflammation.
Salicylic acid (yes, the same product in acne/blackhead face washes) also works
topically, helping to remove the thick layers of dead skin from psoriatic
plaques, which allows other medications and treatments to penetrate the skin
more effectively. Both coal tar and salicylic acid are effective, but have
long-term implications. Frequent use renders them less effective. In fact, it
is recommended that psoriasis sufferers alternate between the two shampoos.
Unfortunately, all coal tar and salicylic acid shampoos contain sulfates, which
are drying to the hair and can lead to breakage. Also, frequent washing (which
is necessary for sufferers) leads to increased (and sometimes premature) hair
loss.
Solution 2: Clobetasol Propionate Foam
(Clobex, Rx Only)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv8oHRJ2OAyHs_r6yFrcrORDzJBXP7RbHnTrS8y9b6GJIB_VpANwQlIjtja663uxdLm7prDxQWdJcpu0w1UMurThM1y_L703mAtXrNTT52MlYusXLifBtnOmG83B2cCnPsTM200B15l8VE/s200/clobex.jpg)
Solution 3: Tea Tree Oil
Tea
Tree Oil is an anti-bacterial, anti-fungal natural oil believed to help
psoriasis sufferers. In truth, it is excellent for keeping the scalp clear and
preventing infection (from frequent scratching/itching), but does nothing to
relieve the psoriasis itself. Shampoos containing tea tree oil are often
ineffective, have nominal amounts of tea tree oil (they mislead you by adding
peppermint oil or menthol for scent/that tingly feeling), and can contain
sulfates. Tea tree oil is most effective purchased in pure 100% concentration,
and a few drops can go a long way. It is best used in a mixture with coconut
oil, and applied directly to the scalp.
Solution 4: Shea Moisture African
Black Soap Shampoo
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGvpDnQdWCIxZfnay2bjVAtLU76Valj5CH00XIloib-D9dke7R9pdNW_l58rDbVj8BIk3WgdpRJy9hIJTRIjDik86NJNt2UzbchHT8N6zmjvyO84sIUgMYtPrLoPtwSKLSwjKxlt0Bv-Js/s200/shea+moisture+ABS.jpg)
Oh lawsonia inermis, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways…
Back in January, I began a quest to strengthen and thicken my hair and
discovered henna. My hair was thinner than normal, and weak/brittle from
frequent manipulation due to psoriasis. At the time, I wasn’t thinking about
relief from psoriasis – but rather a solution to make my hair more resilient. I
sauntered down to Whole Foods and purchased my first of many boxes of Light
Mountain Red Henna (I know it’s not the fancy online herbal mystic brand, but
it IS 100% lawsonia inermis and that is good enough for me). I did a four hour treatment of henna, water,
and coconut oil, and was in for the surprise of my life. After washing out the
henna with the Shea Moisture African Black Soap Shampoo, I discovered my scalp
was completely clear. Like, I could part my hair clear. I figured it was an
anomaly, and that the shampoo was just working really well that day. Weeks
later, my scalp was still clear. After about a month, I experienced some slight
itching towards the nape, and felt a few small flakes. So I henna’d again, and
it went away. Twice is nice, but the 3rd time is the charm. After my
March henna treatment, I realized that this plant was providing something I
hadn’t had in YEARS – a clean scalp. There isn’t a lot of research on henna,
nor a solid explanation for why (beyond it carrying anti-bacterial/anti-fungal
properties, and that is irrelevant for psoriasis) – but for me, the proof is in
the pudding. Henna smells awful (although creating a henna mix with a yummy
smelling conditioner does help), and is incredibly messy, but I am committed to
monthly treatments at the beginning of every month. I am on month 7 of henna
treatments, and I will continue them until it becomes ineffective.
Hopefully, this helps provide some relief and sheds some light on
alternative treatments for psoriasis. It is difficult to deal with, and a
definite hurdle in the race for healthy hair. Over 6 million people in the US
suffer with it, and every little bit of information helps. Pass this on to
someone you know.
4 Comments
Thanks for this article. I too suffer from something - either seborrheic dermatitis or psoriasis. I've tried so many things that haven't worked - special shampoos, tea tree oil, shea butter, coconut oil . . . the (large) flakes just keep on coming. It is embarrassing. If I shake my head in the sunlight a flurry of white dust exits my hair. This week I decided to bust out the big guns and ordered some clobetasol propionate shampoo - the topical steroids. Of course I would prefer the natural cures, but I am desperate for a solution. After I try the steroids I WILL try the Henna and then cycle it with more shea butter and tea tree oil. Thanks so much for the suggestions! Keep up the nice work and good luck!
ReplyDeleteThank you Aaron! I hope you find some relief. Definitely keep me posted on how the Colbetasol and Henna worked for you. Thanks for reading!
ReplyDeleteAlternative treatment for psoriasis may helpful to get rid of it, but I think we need to consult with a doctor to get better treatment as sometimes an alternative option may cause of worst condition. thanks
ReplyDeleteI just want to thank you for sharing your information and your site or blog this is simple but nice Information I’ve ever seen i like it i learn something today. rashes
ReplyDelete