What is Polytar Shampoo?

Polytar Medicated Shampoo is a coal tar based solution that helps to cleanse and soothe itchy, irritated scalps. It reduces dry, scaly skin caused by conditions such as dandruff and psoriasis as well as protecting the skin against infections.

Manufactured by Thornton and Ross Polytar Shampoo is supplied in 150ml bottles. It is suitable for children and adults over the age of 12 years and with twice weekly applications you will see noticeable improvements to your skin within 4 weeks.

What is Polytar Shampoo used for?

Suffering from an itchy, dry or scaly scalp can cause people to feel embarrassed or self-conscious but occasional episodes of dandruff or skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema or dermatitis are not uncommon.

Polytar Shampoo is medicated with 4% coal tar that is an effective treatment option for relieving symptoms of a dry scalp. Helping to leave your hair and scalp looking smooth and you feeling confident.

How does Polytar Shampoo work?

Coal tar is a proven treatment for dry, scaling and flaking skin on the scalp. Polytar contains 4% coal tar, a keratolytic agent that slows down the growth of new skin cells and speeds up the shedding of dead cells that are responsible for the thickening and scaling skin associated with both psoriasis and dandruff.

Coal tar also soothes itching, reduces inflammation and has antiseptic properties to protect irritated skin against infections.

How quickly does Polytar Shampoo work?

For the best results it is recommended that you use Polytar Shampoo once or twice a week. Most people will use this treatment for 4 weeks in which time their symptoms will have reduced considerably.

If you do not feel your skin has started to improve within 4 weeks you should speak to a doctor or pharmacist for advice about further treatment options.

Alternatives to Polytar Shampoo

At The Independent Pharmacy we stock a range of scalp care treatments that are designed to help repair and nourish your skin.
We provide treatments that have been proven to help hydrate and reduce flaking skin on your scalp as well as treatments that have been specifically created to treat scalp psoriasis (Dermalex), eczema on the scalp (Betnovate) and dandruff (Nizoral Shampoo). For more information about prescription and non-prescription treatments please see our Dry Scalp Advice page.