Getting a Haircut with Psoriasis: 5 Tips Before Your Salon Visit

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Updated October 2026

Getting a haircut should be the relaxing part of your week, but when you live with scalp psoriasis it can come with a lot of extra worry, from wondering whether your stylist will notice the flakes to bracing yourself for a scrub that leaves your scalp burning for days. Scalp psoriasis has been one of my most stubborn spots since I was diagnosed at 15, because it’s so visible when it flares and so hard to treat without sacrificing clean looking hair.

The good news is that yes, you can absolutely get a haircut with psoriasis. Psoriasis isn’t contagious, a good stylist has seen it before, and a little prep makes the whole appointment so much easier. Here are the five things I do before and during every salon visit, and if you already have a hairdresser you love, skip ahead to tip 3.

1. Find a psoriasis friendly hairdresser

When we moved from NYC to New Jersey, finding a new hairdresser jumped to the top of my list, so I started by asking local friends and neighbors who they trusted and then read a lot of reviews. Psoriasis almost never came up in those reviews, even though scalp psoriasis is so common, but what people said about a stylist’s personality, how well they listened, and whether they took time for a real consultation told me a lot about how they’d treat my scalp. I also needed someone comfortable with really long, really thick hair, so that went on the list too.

If you’re searching for a psoriasis friendly hairdresser near you, look for reviews that use words like gentle, patient, or great with sensitive scalps. Those are usually your people.

2. Ask questions when you book

Once I narrowed it down, I called the salon to ask about the products they use and whether my stylist had worked with clients who have scalp psoriasis. She had, and she wasn’t the least bit hesitant, which instantly took my stress level down. Even with a hairdresser you’ve seen for years, a quick reminder about your psoriasis when you book helps, especially if someone else will be washing or drying your hair that day, and every time you mention it you’re making that chair a little easier for the next person with psoriasis who sits in it.

3. Prep your scalp the night before

The night before my appointment, I wash my hair with a coal tar shampoo. It has a very distinct smell (think a parking lot getting paved in the summer), but it works. Then I use a wide tooth comb to gently loosen plaques and detangle, and I finish with a little coconut oil on my scalp. It leaves my hair looking greasy, but it calms the dryness and soreness before anyone touches my head.

Look for shampoos with coal tar, salicylic acid, or tea tree oil. One heads up: coal tar can discolor very light, gray, or color treated hair, so if you’re getting color done, ask your stylist or dermatologist which option makes the most sense for you.

• Coal tar shampoo: MG217 Psoriasis
• Coal tar shampoo: True+Real Coal Tar Therapeutic Plus
• Salicylic acid shampoo: Nizoral Psoriasis
• Tea tree shampoo: Tea Tree Special
• Tea tree shampoo: OGX Tea Tree Mint
• Coconut oil

4. Talk it through at your consultation

When I sit down, I remind my stylist about my psoriasis and point out where my spots are that day. We talk about the cut I want, and then about the gentlest way to wash my hair so nothing gets irritated. When my scalp was really flared, I washed my hair at home before the appointment so I could skip the sink entirely, and I’d recommend that to anyone going through a rough patch. These days my psoriasis is well managed, so I can actually relax and enjoy the hair wash (which might be my favorite part).

5. Decide how you want your hair dried

I’ve heard every opinion about blow drying with scalp psoriasis, and some people swear it irritates their scalp while others say it helps. For me, air drying gives me more trouble, so I let the salon blow dry. My stylist kept the dryer on warm instead of hot and went easy with the brush around my spots, and I walked out six inches lighter and feeling great. The prep takes a little extra time, but it makes going to the salon with scalp psoriasis so much easier.

Questions I get about haircuts and psoriasis

Will a hairdresser cut your hair if you have psoriasis?

Yes, most will. Psoriasis isn’t contagious, and experienced stylists have worked with plenty of clients who have it. If your scalp is open, bleeding, or looks infected, a stylist may suggest waiting, so if you can, book for a time when your scalp is calmer.

How do I find a psoriasis friendly hairdresser near me?

Ask friends and neighbors, read reviews for words like gentle and patient, and call ahead to ask whether the stylist has worked with scalp psoriasis. How they answer that question tells you almost everything.

Is short hair better for scalp psoriasis?

Shorter hair can make it easier to get medicated shampoos and treatments onto your scalp, but you don’t have to cut your hair short to manage scalp psoriasis. I’ve kept mine long and thick for years, so choose the length that feels like you and talk with your dermatologist about treatments that work with it.

Will hairdressers cut hair with a dry, flaky scalp?

Yes. Stylists see dry, flaky scalps every day, whether it’s psoriasis, dandruff, or just winter. Letting them know ahead of time simply helps them choose gentler products.

Should I tell my stylist I have psoriasis?

I always do, because it gets me a gentler wash, better products, and a stylist who knows exactly where to be careful.

More on scalp psoriasis

• How to Overcome Scalp Psoriasis and Prevent Hair Loss
• Remedies to Quickly Treat Scalp Psoriasis
• Building a Simple But Effective Psoriasis Skincare Routine

I’m Joni, and I’ve lived with psoriasis since 1998 and psoriatic arthritis since 38. You can read more about me here. I’m not a doctor, so please talk with your health care provider before starting or changing any treatment.