8 Tips for Dyeing Your Hair Safely With Scalp Psoriasis

If you have scalp psoriasis you may be hesitant to dye your hair because you’re worried it might trigger a flare.

But many people with psoriasis can color their hair safely. Follow the tips here to minimize the risk and can get the look you want — flare-free.

If you’re going to have your hair colored by a professional, it’s a good idea to let them know in advance about your scalp psoriasis, even if it isn’t active or flaring at the time. Mention any issues you’ve experienced in the past, such as allergies, rashes, or sensitivities to hair products.

If you’re considering dyeing your hair for the first time, calling ahead to explain your situation might help you gauge the colorist’s level of empathy and experience.

Also note that if you’re not happy with what you hear, listen to your instincts and continue looking for a colorist who’s a better fit.

You may be able to lessen the risk that a hair dye will exacerbate your psoriasis by keeping the product away from your skin and scalp as much as possible.

Before coloring, apply a protective layer of petroleum jelly to the skin surrounding the hair — around the hairline, ears, and neck — to serve as a shield from chemicals. You could apply petroleum jelly to two cotton balls and gently place one in each ear.

“If you want to really be extra careful, you could also work petroleum jelly into the whole scalp,” explains David Pariser, MD, a dermatologist in Norfolk, Virginia, and past president of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Hair-coloring techniques like balayage, highlighting, and lowlighting can also be good options because these methods involve minimal scalp contact.

If you’ve had a bad reaction to hair dyes in the past, consider trying a brand that doesn’t contain PPD. A number of PPD-free hair dyes are now on the market, including temporary, semipermanent, and permanent formulations.

You can also look for hypoallergenic and fragrance-free dyes, which are usually gentler to sensitive skin.

Doing a patch test before trying a new hair dye is a good idea for anyone, but it can be especially helpful if you have scalp psoriasis. Even if a product is PPD-free, you may still have a sensitivity to it.

If you’re getting your hair colored at a salon, ask if you can stop by and take home a small sample of the mix to try beforehand, even if it might be slightly inconvenient.

Apply a small amount of the dye to your inner forearm. “Cover it with a bandage and wait two days to see what happens,” suggests Dr. Pariser. “If you develop a rash, you should stay away from it.”

• Don’t leave the dye on longer than the recommended time
• Wear protective gloves even if you don’t have psoriasis on your hands
• Rinse all the dye completely out of your hair

If your scalp is highly inflamed, wait until your psoriasis calms down before playing with color. That’s because the dyes could intensify irritation and discomfort.

Pariser warns about the risks of applying any kind of chemicals to a scalp experiencing an intense flare. “If you get dermatitis [skin inflammation] on top of psoriasis, you can get weeping [when the skin releases fluid], crusting, and hair sticking together,” he says.

Make sure your scalp is in the best condition possible before you dye your hair. If you have scalp psoriasis, your doctor has likely prescribed topical treatments to dissolve skin flakes or scales and recommended certain shampoos and moisturizing conditioners.

Picking a plant-based hair dye over a chemical one might seem like it would pose a lower risk of triggering a flare. But “natural” doesn’t always mean “safe,” and these products may still wreak havoc with sensitive skin.

Swati Kannan, MD, a dermatologist at UC San Diego Health, warns that applying hair dye to a scalp that has recently been treated with certain psoriasis medications increases the risk of irritation and even chemical burns.

The following topical psoriasis medications can interact with hair dye, Dr. Kannan says:

• Coal tar
• Salicylic acid
• Topical corticosteroids
• Vitamin D analogs (calcipotriene)

“Coal tar and salicylic acid can make the skin more sensitive, weakening the skin barrier and increasing the risk of irritation,” explains Kannan. “They also make the skin more permeable, allowing hair dye chemicals to penetrate deeper, which may trigger inflammation or an allergic reaction.”

Steroid creams and ointments can thin the skin over time, Kannan says, potentially increasing sensitivity to dye chemicals.

“Some people also experience increased dryness and flaking after dyeing due to the combination of dye chemicals and psoriasis treatments,” she adds.

Taking precautions before and after hair coloring is vital. Kannan recommends briefly hitting pause on the following treatments:

• Stop steroid-based treatments 48 hours before and after coloring.
• Avoid coal tar and salicylic acid treatments for at least five to seven days before and after coloring.
• Skip vitamin D analogs (calcipotriene) if they’ve caused prior irritation.

After you’ve dyed your hair, Kannan advises these measures:

• Use a gentle, nonmedicated shampoo with mild surfactants, and avoid sulfates like sodium laureth sulfate (SLS).
• Apply a hydrating, fragrance-free scalp moisturizer, such as one with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, or colloidal oatmeal.
• Rinse with cool or lukewarm water to prevent further irritation.
• Use a leave-in scalp treatment designed for sensitive skin.

• Let your colorist know about your scalp psoriasis in advance of your appointment to make sure you both are comfortable going forward.
• Avoid dyes made with PPD (paraphenylenediamine), ammonia, or hydrogen peroxide.
• Certain psoriasis drugs can increase your sensitivity to dyes, so you may want to take a brief pause on these medications for a period before and after a coloring session.

Additional reporting by Julia Califano and Adam Felman.