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Read this before you buy. It matters more here than on any other page we have.
Pityriasis amiantacea is a signal — and you need to know what's sending it. The possible drivers are scalp psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, atopic eczema, lichen simplex — and tinea capitis, a fungal infection that is the most common driver in children.
If tinea capitis is the cause, this system will not help — and using it instead of getting diagnosed could cause permanent harm. Tinea capitis lives inside the hair shaft. It requires prescription oral antifungal medication. Nothing applied to the surface of the scalp can reach it. Left untreated, it can scar the follicles permanently, and that hair does not grow back.
So get a diagnosis first. See a dermatologist and find out what's driving your scale before you treat it. If your child has pityriasis amiantacea, this is not optional — take them to a doctor.
Once you know what you're dealing with, and if a dermatologist agrees this fits alongside your care, we're here.
The Scales Aren't the Problem.
They're a Signal.
Pityriasis amiantacea — also called tinea amiantacea or asbestos scalp — produces thick, adherent silvery or yellow scales that physically encircle hair shafts near the root, binding multiple shafts together in dense tufts with a characteristic "roof tile" overlapping structure.
Unlike standard dandruff or psoriasis flaking, PA scale can't simply be brushed or washed away. But here's the part that matters most: PA is not a primary disease. It's a reaction pattern. It's your scalp responding to something underneath.
Which is exactly why treating only the scale doesn't work. Suppress the visible scale and the driver keeps running — so the scale comes back.
The possible drivers
- Scalp psoriasis — the most common driver in adults. IL-23/Th17 immune dysregulation accelerating skin cell turnover.
- Seborrheic dermatitis — Malassezia involvement triggering an inflammatory scale response.
- Atopic eczema — barrier dysfunction and immune dysregulation producing a secondary PA pattern.
- Lichen simplex — a chronic itch-scratch cycle producing localized thickening.
- Tinea capitis — a fungal infection, and the most common driver in children. This one requires prescription oral antifungal medication. It cannot be treated with anything applied to the scalp surface, including this system. If this is your driver, you need a doctor, not a routine.
- Idiopathic — no identifiable underlying cause.
You cannot tell which one you have by looking. That's what a dermatologist is for — and it's the single most useful thing you can do about pityriasis amiantacea.
An Honest Look at
Coal Tar and Steroids
| Option | What it does | The trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Coal tar | The traditional first-line recommendation. It genuinely does soften scale and slow cell turnover. | Contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons classified as Group 1 carcinogens by the IARC. Stains everything, strong odor, photosensitivity, poor long-term compliance. Softens scale — doesn't address the driver. |
| Topical corticosteroids clobetasol |
Suppress local inflammation effectively, short-term. | Tachyphylaxis (diminished response with repeated use), skin atrophy, and rebound flares on discontinuation. Don't dissolve existing scale. When stopped, the underlying condition and the PA pattern typically return. |
| This system | Supports the scalp surface and the internal environment. No steroids, no coal tar, no prescription. | It doesn't treat the underlying driver either — nothing cosmetic does. That's what the diagnosis is for. |
4 Components
Dandruff Base Wash
A clarifying cleansing base built with salicylic acid and PEG-6 Undecylenate, plus urea and botanical extracts of fucus (bladderwrack seaweed) and rosemary. Works on the dense adherent scale layer progressively — softening and lifting it over time rather than trying to strip it. Doesn't alter the acid mantle.
Ampoule N
A concentrated purifying lotion built around burdock, arnica and rosemary — with salicylic acid for surface clarification, sulfur for scalp balance, potassium iodide, and a fresh eucalyptus note. Applied to a towel-dried scalp after washing. A light warming or tingling may be felt; that's normal.
Fungi Activ
A clarifying, refreshing tonic built around rosemary and fucus (bladderwrack seaweed), with PEG-6 Undecylenate, salicylic acid, urea, potassium iodide and a cooling menthol finish. Helps keep the scalp feeling clean and balanced between washes.
You'll feel warmth or tingling — that's Methyl Nicotinate working at the surface. Normal, but it can be a lot on an inflamed scalp. Don't apply to broken skin. Contains fragrance component d-Limonene.
Kapydetox (formerly dePure)
Five traditional botanicals led by Green Nettle — the largest ingredient in every dose at 689.5 mg — with dandelion, boldo, fumitory and peppermint. Nettle is rich in polyphenols and antioxidants. Two tablets in the morning, two later in the day.
Not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or for those with kidney, liver or heart conditions, or allergy to any component. Adults only — this has no pediatric dosing. If you're considering anything for a child with PA, that's a conversation for their doctor.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Two Phases
Intensive
- Every wash Dandruff Base Wash
- After washing Ampoule N to a towel-dried scalp — left in
- 3× weekly Fungi Activ, 2 ml to the scalp
- Morning 2 Kapydetox tablets
- Later in the day 2 Kapydetox tablets
Maintenance
- Every wash Dandruff Base Wash
- After washing Ampoule N
- 3× weekly Fungi Activ
- Seasonal change Kapydetox, 4 tablets daily in 2 doses — PA and scalp inflammatory conditions are documented to worsen with seasonal transitions
But if your PA is driven by untreated tinea capitis, that's not true — that hair loss can be permanent. Which is why the diagnosis comes first. If you're losing more hair than you expected, or it isn't coming back, see a dermatologist.
Before You Start
What if I don't know what's causing my PA?
Find out before you treat it. That's not us being cautious — it's the single most useful thing you can do about this condition. PA is a signal, and the treatment depends entirely on what's sending it. If it's tinea capitis, you need prescription oral medication and nothing topical will work. If it's psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis or eczema, a dermatologist can tell you and can tell you whether this system fits alongside your care. If it's your child, take them to a doctor — tinea capitis is the most common pediatric driver and it can scar permanently.
Is pityriasis amiantacea contagious?
The PA pattern itself is not — it's an inflammatory reaction, not an infection. But if tinea capitis is the underlying cause, that fungal infection is contagious, particularly among children. Another reason the diagnosis comes first.
Will all the lost hair grow back?
It depends entirely on the driver. For PA driven by psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis or eczema, hair loss during scale release is usually temporary and typically regrows once the underlying condition is controlled. For PA driven by untreated tinea capitis, it may not — that infection can cause permanent scarring alopecia. And permanent loss can also indicate a co-existing scarring alopecia separate from PA. We can't tell you which applies to you. A dermatologist can.
Can I use this alongside my dermatologist's prescribed treatment?
Ask them first. This is a plant-based cosmetic and supplement system with no pharmaceutical compounds, but your dermatologist knows your driver, your history and your medications. Never stop or reduce a prescribed treatment on your own — corticosteroid withdrawal causes rebound, as this page explains above.
Isn't it called Fungi Activ? Doesn't it treat fungus?
No. It's a clarifying tonic — rosemary, seaweed, salicylic acid, urea. It contains no antifungal medicine of any kind. The name describes the product family, not a mechanism. If a fungal infection is driving your PA, you need a prescription from a doctor, and we'd rather say that plainly than let a product name imply otherwise.
How long does this take?
It depends on your driver, your scale burden and your consistency — and on whether the underlying condition is being addressed. PA follows its driver. If the driver is chronic, this is a long-term routine, not a course.
Can children use this?
Not without a doctor. Kapydetox is formulated for adults and has no pediatric dosing. Fungi Activ contains Methyl Nicotinate, which flushes the skin. And most importantly: the most common PA driver in children is tinea capitis, which needs prescription oral medication. If your child has PA, the first step is a doctor — not a product.
Every Ingredient
Food supplements are not a substitute for a varied, balanced diet. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose: Kapydetox 4 tablets daily. Kapydetox is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or for those with kidney, liver or heart conditions, or allergy to any component. Adults only — no pediatric dosing has been established.
Pityriasis amiantacea is a reaction pattern with an underlying medical cause, and one of those causes — tinea capitis — requires prescription oral medication and can cause permanent scarring alopecia if untreated. Get a diagnosis before you treat it. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This system contains no antifungal medicine. It is a cosmetic and nutritional care system — not a drug, and not a substitute for medical care. Never stop or change a prescribed medication without speaking to your doctor. Individual results vary.