Nopsor works — but technique matters more than most people realize. The two most common reasons people don't see the results they expect: not leaving the shampoo on long enough, and not applying the pomade directly to the scalp surface. This guide covers exactly how to use Nopsor for scalp psoriasis, including the specifics that make the difference.
Why Nopsor is a two-step system
Both Nopsor Shampoo and Nopsor Pomade contain the same active ingredients — coal tar, salicylic acid, and the 8-herb blend. The difference is the delivery vehicle, and that difference determines what each step does.
The Shampoo uses a soap-based rinse-off formula. Because it washes off, the coal tar concentration is higher — it starts working immediately on contact. Its primary job is to clean the scalp, exfoliate and lift scale using salicylic acid, and begin the coal tar treatment cycle during the wash phase itself.
The Pomade uses a thick petrolatum-based vehicle designed to stay on the skin all night. The coal tar concentration is lower — but the contact time is hours rather than minutes, so the total treatment dose is actually greater. The pomade's job is extended overnight treatment: slowing the abnormal skin cell production that creates new plaques while the body's natural overnight repair cycle is active.
Used together, each step improves the other: the shampoo removes the scale layer that would otherwise block the pomade from reaching the skin beneath, and the pomade delivers the extended coal tar treatment the shampoo contact time can't achieve alone.
Step 1: Nopsor Shampoo — the preparation step
- Shake the bottle before each use — the formula separates and needs to be mixed
- Wet the scalp thoroughly with lukewarm water — not hot, which worsens inflammation and dryness
- Part the hair in sections to expose the scalp directly. Apply the shampoo to the scalp surface — not just the hair. This is critical: the active ingredients need to reach the skin, not coat the hair shaft
- Build a gentle lather and massage with fingertips (not nails) using circular motions across all affected areas
- Leave on for 2–3 minutes minimum. This is the step most people skip or rush — the active ingredients need contact time to work. Set a timer if needed
- Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. Pat the scalp dry with a towel — do not rub
Step 2: Nopsor Pomade — the overnight treatment step
- Apply to the scalp while it is still slightly damp — not soaking wet, not bone dry. Slightly damp skin absorbs active ingredients better
- Part hair in sections again to expose the scalp directly. The pomade needs to reach the skin surface, not just sit on top of the hair
- Apply a thin layer directly to affected areas using fingertips. You need significantly less than you think — a thin, even coating is more effective than a thick layer, which doesn't penetrate better and is harder to remove in the morning
- Do not rinse off. The pomade stays on overnight. This is the treatment phase — the petrolatum base keeps active ingredients in sustained contact with the skin while you sleep
- Use old pillowcases and sleepwear — coal tar can stain light-colored fabric. This is expected and unavoidable
The morning wash
The morning wash after overnight pomade application is not optional — it's a required part of the routine. The pomade needs to be removed in the morning for two reasons:
- Coal tar increases photosensitivity. If you go outside with pomade still on your scalp, your skin is significantly more sensitive to UV light. Wash it off before sun exposure every day
- Product buildup without washing blocks the next night's application from penetrating effectively
The morning wash does not need to be with Nopsor Shampoo — a gentle, fragrance-free, sulfate-free shampoo is sufficient and preferable. The Nopsor Shampoo is the treatment step; the morning wash is just removing the previous night's pomade. Using a medicated shampoo twice daily is more than necessary for most people and can cause dryness.
When the shampoo alone is enough
Not everyone with scalp psoriasis needs the full two-step routine. For mild scalp psoriasis — limited flaking, manageable itch, no thick adherent plaques — many customers find the Nopsor Shampoo alone delivers the relief they need.
The shampoo contains both coal tar and salicylic acid in a rinse-off formula. With consistent use and the full 2–3 minute contact time, it addresses the two core problems in scalp psoriasis: scale buildup (salicylic acid) and the abnormal cell turnover driving it (coal tar). For mild presentations, that's often sufficient.
Shampoo alone works well when:
- Psoriasis is mild — light flaking, occasional itch, no thick plaques
- You're in a maintenance phase after clearing with the two-step routine
- You need a simpler routine you'll actually follow consistently
- Your scalp is sensitive and the pomade feels too heavy overnight
The two-step routine is worth adding when:
- Plaques are thick, adherent, or not responding to the shampoo alone after 3–4 weeks
- Itch is disrupting sleep
- You want faster clearance — the pomade's overnight contact time significantly accelerates results
- Psoriasis is spreading or flaring despite consistent shampoo use
A practical approach many customers use: start with the shampoo alone and assess after 3–4 weeks. If results are good, maintain with shampoo only. If plaques aren't clearing or itch is persistent, add the pomade. The two-step routine isn't an all-or-nothing commitment — you can move between approaches based on how your scalp is responding.
Pre-treatment oil prep for thick plaques
If your scalp plaques are thick and adherent — the kind that feel crusty or don't budge easily — adding a pre-treatment oil step before washing improves results significantly.
- 30–60 minutes before your nightly shower, apply warmed coconut oil or olive oil directly to affected scalp areas
- Work it into the scale, not just the surface
- Leave on until your shower — the oil softens the scale so the shampoo can lift it more effectively
- Use a wide-tooth comb to gently loosen softened scale before shampooing
- Wash with Nopsor Shampoo as normal, leaving it on the full 2–3 minutes
- Apply the pomade after drying
This pre-treatment step is particularly valuable during the first 2–4 weeks when scale buildup is heaviest. Once plaques have reduced, the pre-treatment step is usually no longer needed for every session.
What to expect week by week
The scalp begins exfoliating. More flaking is common in the first week — this is the salicylic acid lifting existing scale buildup, not the condition worsening. Itch often reduces noticeably within the first week. Redness and inflammation begin to calm.
Plaques begin to soften and thin. The edges of patches typically clear first. Scale production slows as coal tar's effect on cell turnover accumulates. Most people see a clear improvement in scalp texture by the end of week 3.
Significant clearing for most people with mild to moderate scalp psoriasis. The 40-day window is set at this point because it reflects the typical timeline for meaningful results — most customers see the difference they were hoping for by week 6 of consistent nightly use.
Once psoriasis is controlled, many people maintain with Nopsor Shampoo alone 2–3 times per week, adding the pomade back in at the first sign of a new flare. Consistency during maintenance is what keeps remission periods long.
If you recently stopped prescription steroids: rebound flares in the first 2–4 weeks are common and expected — this is the skin adjusting after steroid withdrawal, not a sign that Nopsor isn't working. Stick with the routine through this window. Results typically become clear after the rebound period has passed.
The most common mistakes
Applying to hair instead of scalp. The active ingredients treat the skin, not the hair. Every application needs to reach the scalp surface directly — part the hair in sections, every time.
Rinsing the shampoo out immediately. The 2–3 minute contact time is what makes the shampoo work. Lathering and rinsing in the same motion delivers a fraction of the treatment dose.
Using too much pomade. A thin layer is more effective than a thick one. Heavy application doesn't penetrate better and leaves more residue to wash out in the morning.
Skipping days. Coal tar builds effectiveness with consistent use — each application extends the treatment cycle. Skipping days doesn't just pause progress, it interrupts it. The nightly routine needs to be daily until plaques clear, then maintenance can be reduced.
Expecting results in 3–4 days. Coal tar requires sustained contact to slow skin cell production meaningfully. The early signs — reduced itch, softer scale — often appear in week 1. Visible plaque reduction typically takes 3–4 weeks of consistent use.
Not doing the morning wash. Leaving the pomade on through the day increases photosensitivity risk and causes buildup that reduces the next night's penetration.
The single most important factor in results with Nopsor is consistency. A simple nightly routine you actually follow every night will produce better outcomes than an elaborate routine used sporadically. If the routine feels complicated, simplify — but don't skip nights.
Nopsor Shampoo + Pomade — the complete nightly system
Coal tar + salicylic acid + 8 botanical herbs in a two-step nightly system. The shampoo exfoliates and begins treatment. The pomade delivers extended overnight contact. Both steroid-free. Both safe for long-term use.
Get the Nopsor Treatment Set →Also available: Pepepsor Cream — daytime hydration between treatment sessions
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