On a dry, flaky scalp...

Q. Hi Alison, I have very bad psoriasis on my head. I've just about tried everything. What would suggest for me?

A. Psoriasis is a medical condition, so I'm sure you're fully aware that there are products that your doctor can recommend. In our beauty department, the range that would be excellent for you is Philip Kingsley.

There's a Flaky Itchy Shampoo, Scalp Tonic and Scalp Masque to choose from. The difference with the Philip Kingsley range is that he is a qualified trichologist and has spent years developing his products.

The Scalp Tonic will instantly stop the itch and can be directly applied to dry patches. The Scalp Masque will instantly feel cold on your skin, to help soothe irritating flare-ups. And when you use the Flaky Itchy Shampoo remember to massage it into your scalp so it really gets to work.

For an itchy scalp...

Q: I suffer from a very itchy scalp and am allergic to preservatives. Could you help me as it drives me crazy, more so at night when my head gets warm on the pillow?

Alison: Unfortunately most haircare products do contain preservatives. However, here are a few tips. If you have a dry, itchy scalp, try putting on a little of the Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment, massaging it into the scalp and leaving it overnight. It should help to moisturise the dry skin plaques on the scalp area, which may be causing the itchiness.

An even simpler trick, if your scalp is really flared up, is to drizzle on a little pure almond oil or even olive oil about five-ten minutes before washing. Just massage this into the driest areas and then shampoo. You may find that having moisturised the dry areas, your shampoo will be less irritating than before.

Plus you could also try the Philip Kingsley Scalp Mask.

For a sore and flaky scalp...

Q: I've used several shampoos and conditioners from QVC for a flaky itchy scalp, and Ojon too, and none of these help my sore scalp with hard scabs. What can I use please as I'm unable to afford things that are expensive and don't work?
 
Alison: You've already tried one of our most effective formulas, which is the Philip Kingsley Flaky Itchy Scalp. However, there is one thing that you could do before you may need to consult your doctor.

It is possible to soften actual flakes or increased areas of coarse or thickened skin. Before shampooing, soak the scalp in oil. This could be a pure almond, olive or jojoba oil that you can buy from your chemist or supermarket. The trick would be to massage this into the scalp area, particularly where it's driest, and then try one of the shampoos, such as the Philip Kingsley afterwards.

If this doesn't work then you should show your doctor next time you have an appointment.

For a dry, itchy and flaky scalp...

Q: I have just started getting a very dry, flaky and itchy scalp, and also a lot of redness around the hairline. I tried Philip Kingsley products but to no avail. I'm wondering if I have developed psoriasis - is there any help out there for me?

Alison: If you are worried about having developed psoriasis then you definitely need a doctor's diagnosis, and a doctor should be able to diagnose it in a second as it has very distinctive symptoms. Unfortunately psoriasis is not something that comes and goes - once it's been diagnosed, you will always have it and it will flare up at stressful times.

However, if it's a cosmetic problem then I have a couple of tricks that may be able to help. If you aren't getting rid of the dry flakiness on the scalp area, you can get a build-up of oil and bacteria. Bacteria can get trapped between loose flakes, which can cause a skin infection.

On what to use between washes for dry hair and scalp...

Q: I suffer from scalp folliculitis which is treated with long courses of antibiotics (I also suffer from Sjogrens sydrome/Lupus which means I am prone to dry skin and hair), but I also had severe breakage of my relaxed Afro-Caribbean hair. I started using Ojon shampoo and conditioner which were great and my hair has started to grow back. The only problem is that between washes my hair and scalp feels dry and I find that many cream products contain water and make my relaxed hair revert, what would you recommend I should use to add moisture to my scalp and hair between washes?

Alison: After following all your medical advice and using all your prescribed products, I have a few recommendations for your beauty regime. Products that can be used between washes are normally water-based because they don't cause greasiness. To apply a moisturising product between washes would normally require you then to wash - which is fine if you want to wash your hair every day.

A daily scalp tonic to relieve itching, soreness and sensitivity that I recommend would be a Philip Kingsley Skin Tonic. They are water based but also contain herbal tinctures, and are specifically designed for itchiness, flakiness and irritability of the scalp. You can literally drizzle this on the whole of the scalp without causing oiliness.

If you still find that, even though it's herbal tincture-based, you're still suffering from dryness on the scalp area, then I’d recommend massaging Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment into the tips of your fingertips and putting it just on the top of the scalp. Try to take this through the hair and make sure you have short fingernails for this or it won't work. Leave it there too but don't put too much on or you will want to wash your hair again.

A great treatment that you can do before washing on a weekly basis, which I'd recommend to you specifically, is massaging your Ojon Restorative Treatment onto the scalp as well as on the hair as this well help to lift off any dead skin there, exfoliating and softening that area before you shampoo and condition.

Please don't use any alcohol-based styling products, because if they touch the scalp area they are just going to dry it out and irritate it. As your hair is chemically relaxed, you shouldn't need to put any styling products on it anyway but be aware that you should use hand-applied products rather than sprays.

Plus, before you go to the salon to get your hair relaxed, you may need to pre-protect the scalp area. Make sure that you apply the Ojon Restorative Treatment to the scalp area 2 - 3 washes before you go to ensure your scalp area is as soft and moisturised as possible - this is because the chemicals used to relax your hair may irritate your scalp.