Understanding & Relieving Scalp Psoriasis

“I'm ashamed of my scalp, I hide it under a cap. I don't tie my hair back anymore so people don't see my patches. I scratch myself until I bleed…”

If these words resonate with you, you've come to the right place. Scalp psoriasis can be a real burden. This guide will help you better understand this condition and find relief for your scalp.

Hello, I am Julie Pernet,

Doctor of Pharmacy, Certified Trichologist & Founder of the MakeMyMask laboratory.

For several years, I have been consulting women and men who suffer from dry, thick, itchy patches... And who too often hear that "it's normal" or "there's nothing we can do." But that's not true, there are solutions!

I wrote this guide to help you understand what scalp psoriasis really is, to avoid confusing it with other conditions (dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, etc.), and above all to take control of it, naturally.

What is scalp psoriasis?

Psoriasis is an inflammatory autoimmune disease: your immune system goes into overdrive and sends the wrong message to your skin. The result? An excessive production of skin cells. This forms thick, dry, often red, and scaly patches.

It's a chronic disease. We can't "cure" it, but we can learn to stabilize it and space out flare-ups sustainably.

Psoriasis can appear on any area of ​​the skin, but the scalp is one of the most common locations: it is affected in 70 to 80% of cases, at the level of the hairline, the nape of the neck or even behind the ears.

The plaques are usually well-demarcated, which distinguishes them from those of seborrheic dermatitis, which are often more diffuse and less distinct.

Psoriasis or dermatitis? What are you suffering from?

You're reading this guide thinking you have psoriasis... but are you really sure? In my practice, I notice that many people think they have psoriasis... when it's actually seborrheic dermatitis. These two conditions may look similar, but they're not treated the same way.

You will find here an article explaining the key differences between these two pathologies. You can also take my online diagnosis for a response in 2 minutes.

If you're thinking about getting a DS, I wrote a guide on that topic. here.

Causes & Triggers of Scalp Psoriasis

Psoriasis is multifactorial, meaning it results from a genetic background, combined with triggering factors.

The root causes

■ Genetic predisposition : Up to 40-50% of affected patients have a family history. These genes influence the immune response & keratinocyte differentiation. 

■ Immune dysregulation : In psoriasis, your immune system goes into overdrive and mistakenly attacks your own skin. It releases inflammatory substances, which signal the production of too many skin cells, too quickly (up to 7 times more than normal!). As a result, your skin thickens, forms plaques, becomes inflamed, and itches.

■ Microbiome imbalance : Recent studies show that patients with psoriasis have an imbalance of the scalp microbiota: decrease in good bacteria & overgrowth of pro-inflammatory bacteria.

Triggering factors

Even if the background is genetic and immune, several environmental factors can trigger or worsen an outbreak, particularly at the scalp level:

■ Psychological stress : major trigger factor in many patients

■ ENT infections: tonsillitis, nasopharyngitis

■ Local trauma : Koebner phenomenon Scratching, aggressive brushing, coloring, tight hairstyle or dermabrasion

■ Certain medications : beta-blockers, lithium, synthetic antimalarials, interferons, TNF-α inhibitors

■ Hormonal factors : pregnancy, postpartum, menopause

■ Pro-inflammatory diet & tobacco

■ Weather factors : Dry cold, lack of sun

Conventional treatments: what you need to know

They are often effective in the short term, but sometimes poorly tolerated or fail over time.

My recommendation for comprehensive care

To hope for lasting relief, it is essential to adopt a comprehensive approach, which does not just mask the outward signs, but also acts on the underlying causes of inflammation.

1. Treat inflammation from the inside out

To relieve the inflammation that is the root cause of symptoms, adopt targeted & effective supplements:

✅​ Vitamin D3 : regulates the immune response
✅​ Omega 3 (EPA/DHA) : regulates inflammation
✅​ Turmeric + black pepper : reduces chronic inflammation
✅ ​Ginger : powerful anti-inflammatory
✅ ​probiotics (Rhamnosus, Reuteri…): reduces overall inflammation
✅​ Burdock, wild pansy : soothes skin conditions

My solution: the SOS Dry Plaque Supplement

7-day FLASH treatment

■  The first anti-PSO & dry patches food supplements
■  Reduces dry patches & redness
■  Calms attacks - Visible results in 5 days
■  Reduces inflammation from within
■  Made in France, clean, vegan, allergen-free

Dosage: Take 2 capsules per day for 7 days to calm attacks.

2. Gently remove plaque

This step allows you to mechanically and gently remove unsightly plaques. For this, I recommend using a keratolytic treatment such as gentle salicylic acid which also respects the scalp microbiome. The use of a Stimulating Brush during the treatment is interesting to remove the plaques.

My solution: Anti-PSO & Plaque Concentrate

Natural treatment for dry patches without cortisone

■  Gently exfoliates dry patches
■  Moisturizes the scalp
■  Soothes itching
■  Cortisone-free, made in France, 97% natural origin

Dosage: Use 2 to 3 times a week before shampooing, leave on for 25 minutes.

3. Rebalance the microbiome

And yet... no one is talking about it, even though it's at the heart of the latest scientific publications! The scalp microbiome plays a key role in the onset and worsening of psoriasis.

To preserve it, I recommend using a shampoo with a pH of 5, which is the physiological pH of the scalp. This slightly acidic pH helps maintain a healthy environment, limits the proliferation of "bad bacteria" and protects the skin's natural balance.

My solution: pH5 Natural Universal Shampoo

Gently cleanses & rebalances the microbiome

■  At physiological pH5
■  Gentle formula suitable for psoriatic scalps
■  Made in France, 99% natural origin, 0% silicone, 0% sulfates

Dosage: carry out 2 shampoos per wash

Even when the patches have disappeared, I always recommend using a gentle, pH5, sulfate-free shampoo for maintenance, which respects the physiological pH of the scalp, to preserve the balance of the microbiome and limit recurrences.

4. Calm & hydrate

To avoid topical cortisone, there are many alternatives that help soothe itching.

Using an aloe vera or hyaluronic acid serum can soothe irritation and itching. If it contains prebiotics to rebalance the microbiome, even better! I also recommend avoiding harsh products (alcohol, perfume, etc.).

My solution: Tricho-Pure Soothing Serum

Anti-itch & irritation

■  With hyaluronic acid & aloe vera to hydrate and soothe the scalp
■ Prebiotics to rebalance the microbiome
■  No rinsing, non-greasy texture
■  Made in France, 97% natural origin

Dosage: Apply a few drops to irritated areas as needed.

5. Use a comprehensive protocol

One product is not enough!

To permanently eliminate dry patches and soothe scalp psoriasis, it is necessary to adopt a complete protocol that acts on the symptoms of psoriasis and limits recurrences.

My solution: the Complete Anti-PSO & Plaque Protocol

Complete treatment for dry scalp patches

■  The first complete anti-PSO protocol without cortisone that respects the microbiome
■  Visible results from the first use
■  97% natural, 0% sulfate & silicone, vegan, made in France

Duration of use: approximately 2 months

95,60€  81,20€

6. Adopt an anti-inflammatory diet

The goal is to reduce systemic inflammation, support the microbiome and limit flare-ups.

TO BE PREFERRED:
✅​ Omega-3 : oily fish (sardines, mackerel, salmon), flax and chia seeds
✅​ Green & cruciferous vegetables : rich in antioxidants, detoxifiers (broccoli, spinach, kale)
✅​ Red & colorful fruits : anti-inflammatories (blueberries, pomegranate, black grapes)
✅​ Turmeric + black pepper : powerful natural anti-inflammatory
✅​ Natural probiotics : fermented milk yogurt, kefir, miso, sauerkraut, kombucha
✅​ Prebiotic fibers : artichoke, leek, garlic, onion (feed the microbiome)
✅​ Natural Vitamin D : egg yolk, cod liver, moderate sun exposure
✅​ hydration : 1,5 to 2 liters of water / day (promotes the skin barrier)

TO BE LIMITED:
❌​ Ultra-processed products : industrial dishes, snacks, additives, etc.
❌​ Fast sugars : sodas, candy, pastries (blood sugar spikes = inflammation)
❌​ Cow's milk products : sometimes pro-inflammatory in sensitive people
❌​ Gluten : may worsen symptoms in some patients (to be tested)
❌​ Alcohol : strongly discouraged (recognized trigger factor)
❌​ Excess red meat and cold cuts (high in saturated fats & EFAs)

7. Healthy lifestyle & stress management

The goal is to reduce pro-inflammatory stress mediators:
■  Regular gentle physical activity : 30 min walking, yoga or swimming 3x/week
■  Restorative sleep : 7 to 8 hours per night, avoid screens in the evening
■  Stress management techniques : cardiac coherence, meditation, breathing
■  Psychological support (if chronic stress or strong emotional impact)

In conclusion

Psoriasis cannot be cured, but it can be controlled sustainably with a comprehensive approach:
■  By acting at the root (microbiome, inflammation, stress, etc.)
■  By gently removing plaques, without damaging them By nourishing and soothing the scalp
■  By adopting a consistent lifestyle