Scalp psoriasis refers to psoriasis that affects the scalp, forehead, back of the neck, hairline, or the skin around a person’s ears. Many people with scalp psoriasis wonder whether chemical processes like dyeing their hair will aggravate their symptoms. Hair dye does not cause scalp psoriasis, but it can irritate the scalp and may trigger a psoriasis flare in some people.

In some cases, the thought of being unable to dye your hair ever again may be as frustrating as the psoriasis itself. Ultimately, it is your decision whether to color your hair. While some doctors advise holding off on dye while experiencing a flare-up, this advice does not necessarily mean you can never safely color your hair with scalp psoriasis.

Here, we will take a look at what doctors say about the potential risks of hair dye for people with scalp psoriasis, as well as tips for dyeing your hair more comfortably. Be sure to talk to your dermatologist before applying new chemicals or products to an area affected by psoriasis.

🗳️ What do you most commonly experience when dyeing your hair with scalp psoriasis?

Burning or stinging

Itching

Worsening psoriasis symptoms

No symptoms/Not sure

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Is Hair Dye Safe for People With Scalp Psoriasis?

There are several points of view on the safety of hair dye for people with scalp psoriasis.

Hair dye does not affect everyone with scalp psoriasis the same way. However, hair coloring, bleaching, perming, and relaxing can irritate the scalp and may trigger a psoriasis flare, especially when the scalp is already inflamed or sore. Hair dye can also cause allergic contact dermatitis in some people.

In the end, it’s important to consult with a dermatologist or other healthcare provider to determine what processes and hairstyles are safe for you based on your psoriasis symptoms.

MyPsoriasisTeam Members on Dyeing Hair and Scalp Psoriasis

MyPsoriasisTeam members have had a variety of experiences with hair dye and scalp psoriasis. One member wrote, “Yes, you can dye your hair. … It will burn your scalp if your psoriasis is cracked, though.”

Another agreed, adding, “You can dye your hair. However, yes, it’s going to burn.”

Why can it burn? Psoriasis can make the scalp dry, inflamed, cracked, or sore, which may make hair dye more irritating. Hair dye can also cause stinging from direct chemical irritation or an allergic reaction, even when the skin is not visibly cracked.

Another member of MyPsoriasisTeam commented, “Hair dye works for me, too, but after a while, it begins to itch again!”

Minimizing the Risk of Scalp Psoriasis Flares When Dyeing Hair

While there’s no way to guarantee that dyeing your hair will not trigger your scalp psoriasis, here are eight tips for minimizing your chances of causing a flare-up.

Find a hairdresser who has experience dealing with scalp psoriasis. You can often find someone by asking around or by looking online. These professionals will have an understanding of how to care for your hair and scalp in a way that is less likely to cause problems.

Once you find someone you trust, talk to them about your scalp psoriasis. They may ask you questions about what has triggered your skin condition in the past and help you find gentle products that won’t aggravate your symptoms.

It may be best to wait on hair treatments like hair dye, bleaching, or chemical relaxers until after flare-ups have subsided. The chemicals used in these treatments may worsen psoriasis and irritate existing lesions.

If you’re experiencing a scalp psoriasis flare-up, it may be wise to cancel your hair appointment and wait until things clear up. Treat your psoriasis first, then dye your hair with confidence.

If you’re dealing with a scalp psoriasis flare, talk to your dermatologist about prescription medicines that can help clear your scalp. Oral, injectable, and topical treatments may be good options for you.

There are all sorts of hair care products designed for people with scalp psoriasis or scalp sensitivities. Using these products can help manage your symptoms and leave you with as healthy a scalp as possible before getting your hair colored.

These products include over-the-counter and medicated shampoos and conditioners, as well as other moisturizing products, ointments, and topical products to help you handle an itchy scalp. Shampoos with coal tar or salicylic acid may help reduce scaling and inflammation.

If your hairdresser or stylist is open to it, you may want to bring your own products to the salon. The hairdresser can use your products as much as possible to avoid introducing chemicals that might cause a psoriasis flare.

Most hair dye instructions recommend doing an allergy test on your skin before use. Follow the product directions, which may tell you to apply a small amount of dye to the skin and watch for a reaction for about 48 hours.

A dermatologist can also perform formal patch testing to look for allergies to certain ingredients, but this cannot guarantee that a product will not irritate your scalp or trigger psoriasis.

In many cases, hair dye will inevitably touch the scalp — especially if you are getting all-over color, such as full-head highlights or dye. There are steps you can take to protect your scalp before getting color.

Whether you are getting your hair professionally dyed or doing it at home, put conditioner or petroleum jelly over your ears, hairline, and neck so that hair dye does not come into direct contact with that skin. This barrier may help reduce how much hair dye comes into contact with the skin around your scalp, but it cannot guarantee that you will avoid irritation or a psoriasis flare.

Some people recommend natural hair dyes formulated for people with sensitivities. Several members have advocated for natural dye.

As one member explained to another, “My advice to you is to try to find a hair dye that is as natural as possible. That will help.”

Another member found that henna worked for them. “I stopped using chemical hair dye years ago because I found henna dye,” they wrote. “It is all natural and does not burn, even when the scales are horrible.”

Keep in mind that “natural” does not always mean safer or less likely to cause an allergic reaction. Some products sold as black henna may contain paraphenylenediamine (PPD), a common hair dye ingredient that can cause serious skin reactions. Check the ingredient list and follow allergy-testing instructions before using any dye.

Even people without scalp psoriasis can find harsh processes like bleaching to be uncomfortable or irritating to the scalp. If you experience discomfort or flares after having a full head of color or bleach, you may want to talk to your stylist about trying different approaches to coloring your hair.

Some coloring techniques may be done in ways that keep more dye or bleach away from the scalp. For example, a stylist may be able to place color farther down the hair instead of directly at the roots. Ask your stylist which options can reduce contact with your scalp.

Before you dye your hair, talk with your dermatologist for medical advice about how to color your hair as safely as possible. They may be able to recommend products that have worked for others, help you find a hairdresser with experience dealing with scalp psoriasis, or provide psoriasis treatments to help get your symptoms under control before an appointment with your stylist.