If you have scalp psoriasis or psoriasis near your hairline, it may affect both your symptoms and how you style your hair. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, between 45 percent and 56 percent of people with psoriasis have scalp psoriasis. In fact, the scalp is the most common area affected, involved in up to 80 percent of psoriasis cases.

Scalp psoriasis can cause symptoms like dryness, plaques, flaking, irritation, and itching. These symptoms may appear not only on the scalp itself, but also on the hairline, forehead, back of the neck, and skin around the ears.

The following dermatologist-recommended tips for hairstyling with psoriasis may help you avoid flares, make the most of your treatment, and cover plaques or hair loss.

1. Brush Gently

Be as gentle as possible when combing or brushing your hair. Scratching or scraping the skin can trigger a flare of scalp psoriasis. This reaction, known as the Koebner phenomenon, happens when new psoriasis plaques develop on previously clear areas of skin.

Rough brushing or combing can also cause temporary hair loss. Hair may fall out if itchy psoriasis plaques on the scalp are pulled away or accidentally scratched, but it usually grows back unless the hair follicles are damaged.

Watch as MyPsoriasisTeam member Katya Meltaus discusses how she manages psoriasis plaques on her scalp.

2. Avoid Tight Hairstyles

Pulling hair too tightly can irritate the scalp and may trigger a psoriasis flare-up. Constant tension from tightly pulled hairstyles can also damage hair strands and follicles. Over time, this may lead to a form of scarring, permanent hair loss called traction alopecia.

To protect your scalp and hair, avoid styles that pull tightly on the hair, including:

• Tight buns, ponytails, and other updos
• Tight braids or styles that require tight braiding, such as cornrows, box braids, or weaves
• Hair extensions
• Dreadlocks

3. Take Care With Heat Styling

Some styling tools, like rollers, straightening irons, and curling irons, use high heat to achieve a long-lasting style. Heat can burn or irritate the scalp, potentially leading to a psoriasis flare. Try to limit how often you use these tools. When you do use them, be careful to keep the hot surfaces away from your scalp.

4. Limit Dye and Chemical Treatments

Hair with dye or chemical relaxers can cause scalp irritation and psoriasis flares. Some people also develop an allergic reaction known as contact dermatitis. This reaction can cause the skin to become discolored, dry, and irritated and may even trigger new plaques through the Koebner phenomenon.

If you want to color your hair, there are ways to reduce irritation from hair dye.

Try Henna

Plant-based dyes and other natural hair colorants may be an option if you want to avoid chemicals in most traditional hair dyes. One MyPsoriasisTeam member offered an alternative to chemical-based hair color: henna.

Henna comes from the leaves of the henna tree (Lawsonia inermis). One member said, “I stopped using chemical hair dye years ago because I found henna dye. It is all natural and does not burn, even when the scales are horrible.”

However, it’s important to be cautious. Labels like “plant-based” or “natural” do not always mean safe. Some natural products can still contain irritants or contaminants.

Also avoid so-called black henna. True henna is reddish-orange. Black henna may contain added chemicals that can irritate or damage the skin.

Do a Patch Test

Before trying any new hair dye, treatment, or styling product, perform an allergy test known as a patch test. Dab a small amount of the product on an area of skin that’s easy to cover, like behind your ear or on your inner elbow. Let it dry. If you notice any irritation, don’t use the product again.

A patch test can help check for allergies, but some people with psoriasis have delayed reactions to irritating substances. One study found that irritation reached its peak after seven days in people with psoriasis, compared to three to five days in people without psoriasis. Even if your skin looks fine at first, be cautious.

5. Inform Your Hairstylist About Your Needs

Before your appointment, let your stylist know about your psoriasis. This can help guide decisions about your cut or hairstyle. Many stylists have worked with clients who have psoriasis. If not, let them know that psoriasis isn’t contagious or infectious. As some MyPsoriasisTeam members have noted, it may also help to explain that harsh combing, brushing, or heat styling could make your psoriasis worse.

One member shared, “I went to the hairdresser’s today and it aggravated my psoriasis on my scalp! I have a lovely hairstyle that’s now ruined by my itching.”

6. Consider How Your Hairstyle Affects Your Treatment

Topical treatments are often the first choice for scalp psoriasis. But hair can make treatment harder. As one study found, hair affects not only how well medications are applied and absorbed but also how likely someone is to follow their treatment plan. Topical treatments can make hair greasy or can be hard to wash out. Some MyPsoriasisTeam members find that keeping their hair short makes treatment easier. Ask your doctor about topical solutions and foams that won’t get trapped in your hair as easily.

7. Choose Hairstyles That Boost Your Confidence

Psoriasis treatment is only one part of choosing a hairstyle when you have scalp psoriasis. Some MyPsoriasisTeam members have shared that psoriasis-related hair loss has also made them consider a change of hairstyle.

“I’ve been thinking about my hairstyle lately,” wrote one member. “My entire life, I’ve always had long, pretty hair. Now that I’m practically bald, I’m wondering if I should let my hair grow back out or look for a cute, short hairstyle. I’m wondering if I should get a short hairstyle to help keep the psoriasis maintained, as well.”

In addition to camouflaging hair loss, some hairstyles can cover psoriasis plaques, which is important for some MyPsoriasisTeam members. As one member with psoriasis on their neck and behind their ears wrote, “Sometimes, I feel like chopping my hair. I do not wear short hair due to my psoriasis.”

Another shared that they change their hairstyle depending on their psoriasis symptoms: “I cover mine up as much as possible with my hair. I also have psoriasis on my forehead, as well as on my scalp and behind my ears, so my hairstyle is always chosen by how I cover it all up.”

Other members get creative with their haircuts. “I cut my hair at a small salon,” one member said, “so now I have a bang. It helps me cover my scalp psoriasis that is now below my hairline. Sometimes, it is red, thick, and flaky, and no amount of makeup can hide it.”

Join the Conversation

On MyPsoriasisTeam, people share their experiences with psoriasis, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

How do you style your hair with scalp psoriasis? Let others know in the comments below.