Experts caution against Beyonce's childhood treatment for scalp psoriasis.

Experts have warned against following in the footsteps of superstar Beyoncé when it comes to a treatment for her childhood scalp condition.

The 32-time Grammy winner revealed this week that she has suffered scalp psoriasis since childhood- an autoimmune disease that affects an estimated 7.5 million Americans and causes itchy, flakey skin.

In an interview with Essence magazine, she said: ‘The relationship we have with our hair is such a deeply personal journey. From spending my childhood in my mother’s salon to my father applying oil on my scalp to treat my psoriasis— these moments have been sacred to me.’

But Anabel Kingsley, a hair and scalp specialist and Brand President of Philip Kingsley hair products, told DailyMail.com that placing oil on the scalp makes little significant difference to the hated problem.

Beyonce told Essence magazine that she has been using hair oil sinch childhood to treat her scalp psoriasis

Psoriasis causes a red itchy scalp and the formation of white patches of skin called plaques. Psoriasis can’t be cured by symptoms can be managed with steroids, salicylic acid, or creams specifically tailored to psoriasis

Ms Kingsley said: ‘Applying oils can make the hair greasy. You’re not really treating the underlying condition, and they’re not going to clear the plaque.

‘They can have a place in scalp masks to soften the scales to have them removed but I wouldn’t recommend rubbing and dumping coconut oil because you might create another condition, seborrheic dermatitis [a chronic form of eczema that causes red, itchy skin on the scalp].’

Putting hair oil on a flaky scalp increase the accumulation of sebum and dead skin cells on the scalp. Some hair oils also clog follicles, trap oil and dead skin cells, further contributing to the development of seborrheic dermatitis.

Queen B’s recent interview was a part of promotion for her highly anticipated haircare line.

It is set to launch on February 20 and is called Cécred, a portmanteau of her name and the word sacred.

The range will consist of a clarifying shampoo and scalp scrub, hydrating shampoo, moisturizing deep conditioner, a reconstructing treatment mask, a moisture-sealing lotion, a nourishing hair oil and a specialized treatment made with fermented rice.

The singer is not the only one to hail oil as a treatment for psoriasis. Many people on social media say they swear by coconut and tea tree oil to address their psoriatic scales.

But psoriasis is a medical condition that Ms Kingsley, as well as leading dermatologists at the American Academy of Dermatology, says requires medical intervention.

She told DailyMail.com: ‘The best treatment for psoriasis is using things like salicylic acid and anti-inflammatory products to remove the plaque and actually penetrate the skin. Otherwise, they’re just sitting on the plaque.’

Some other treatments that are recommended include corticosteroids, which reduce the redness, swelling, scaling, and itch and clear psoriasis, vitamin D, a retinoid cream, coal tar medicine to place on the scalp, and creams specifically designed for psoriasis.

Beyonce famously cut her hair in 2013 which she said ‘a very big emotional transformation and metamorphosis that I was going through’

According to expert trichologist Anabel Kingsley, hair oils sit on top of the plaques but do not clear them effectively

Putting oil on a flaky scalp increase the accumulation of sebum and dead skin cells on the scalp

Although symptoms can be managed, psoriasis is an autoimmune condition without a cure. It causes the body to make new skin cells in a matter of days, not weeks, leading to a build-up of scaly skin called plaques. Very thick patches can lead to hair loss.

Forty-five to 56 percent of people living with psoriasis have scalp psoriasis, which, in addition to affecting the scalp and hairline, can appear on the forehead, back of the neck, and skin around the ears.

Source:https://www.dailymail.co.uk