Beauty Clinic: First Aid for dry scalp and greasy hair
Q. I am 40 and suffer from greasy hair but my scalp is dry with eczema/psoriasis. Please can you recommend products and supplements to help this problem? My hair is highlighted so I need products to be colour-safe too.
A. We asked trichologist Anabel Kingsley, daughter of the late and much missed Philip Kingsley, to advise on your question. Her first comment is that ‘unfortunately, neither eczema nor psoriasis can be cured. However, the good news is that they can be effectively managed and controlled with the right treatment plan.’
Her advice is that, firstly, ‘the scalp needs to be cleansed consistently. So it’s important to shampoo daily with a targeted shampoo. Daily shampooing is also incredibly beneficial if you have greasy hair, as shampoo removes excess sebum (oils).’ Anabel recommends Philip Kingsley Flaky/Itchy Shampoo, (£11 for 75ml, philipkingsley.co.uk).
After shampooing and conditioning with Philip Kingsley Moisture Balance Conditioner, £10 for 75 ml, apply a soothing scalp toner, such as Flaky/Itchy Scalp Toner, £9 for 75ml, which contains ingredients such as witch hazel and camphor.
‘You can also apply a toner as required throughout the day whenever you experience irritation or an urge to scratch,’ Anabel suggests. It’s important not to scratch, she says, as doing so can further aggravate the scalp and make it bleed.
Once a week – ideally twice – you should apply a gentle exfoliating scalp mask to help lift away dead skin cells and skin-cell build-up. Philip Kingsley Exfoliating Scalp Mask, £8 for 20ml.
‘A good diet will always benefit your hair,’ Anabel emphasises. ‘For your dry scalp, eat plenty of omega-3-rich oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, and sardines are good examples. Also consider Omega-3 supplements but do talk to your doctor if you are on medication, as they can have contraindications.’
Some foods and drinks are linked to triggering eczema, including very spicy food, full fat dairy products, champagne, white wine and beer. (For more information, visit National Eczema Society website, eczema.org, and foodsmatter.com.)
Finally, Anabel advises that psoriasis is best managed under the care of an experienced trichologist or dermatologist, who can prescribe stronger products if necessary. You should consult your GP for a referral.
