How to Get Rid of the Coal Tar Shampoo Smell

Rinse your hair thoroughly to reduce coal tar shampoo buildup.

Trying to eliminate the smell from coal tar shampoo--which is used to treat conditions like dandruff or psoriasis--can be time-consuming, but you can significantly reduce its odor with a post-washing cleanse. Since some tar coal shampoos contain menthol to mask the smell, you can reinforce the menthol scent with menthol or peppermint essential oil--which is a relative of menthol--for the cleanse. This won't interfere with the shampoo's potency, since it's already an approved ingredient in the shampoo. To make the cleanse more effective, apply it every time you wash your hair. Also, cut down on using tar coal shampoo as much as possible to keep residue from accumulating in your hair and scalp.

Things You'll Need

• Large bottle of menthol or peppermint essential oil
• Cool water
• Wide-tooth comb

Instructions

1. Wash your hair as you normally do with coal tar shampoo, and rinse it out.

2. Sprinkle enough of the essential oil of your choice over your head to saturate your scalp.

3. Massage the fluid into your scalp for one minute to clean the coal tar residue from your skin. Rinse out the cleansing agent with cool water.

4. Pour some more of the cleansing agent into your hand, and start working it through your hair. Rub it in from the roots down to the crown. Apply as needed if your hair is thick or long.

5. Run a long-tooth comb through your hair to work the essential oil from the roots to the ends. Leave the treatment on your hair for one minute.

6. Rinse the cleansing agent with cool water. Condition your hair afterward, if necessary, then dry and style as usual.

References

• MedicineNet: Coal Tar Shampoo - Topical, Denorex, Pentrax, Zetar
• Vitamin Stuff: Peppermint