Living with psoriasis can sometimes feel like a real-life Game of Thrones episode, particularly the part when Princess Shireen Baratheon realises she has to live with greyscale her entire life. It looks just as bumpy, scars just as deeply, and feels just as paralysing!
If only psoriasis was just as fictional, and life would go on after the end credits rolled. But unfortunately, reality kicks in, one where greyscale is a real-life nightmare.
Now, we’re not here to make you feel bad. On the contrary, we want to help you feel a whole lot better! Because the good news is, while psoriasis cannot be completely cured, it can be managed through a careful skincare routine, topical treatments, regular facials, and a lot of discipline. With a conscious lifestyle, you’ll be able to keep the scaling and itching at bay, which is what we’re here to help you do.
In this article, we’re listing down 5 skincare tips for psoriasis to help you live in the best possible way – no discomfort, no shame, no lack of confidence, just genuine self-acceptance and some skincare to get you by.
But first, let’s understand your skin condition a little bit more:
What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder that manifests as red bumpy patches covered with flakey, white-coloured scales. While they can appear nearly anywhere in the body, they are most commonly found in the scalp, lower back, knees, and elbows.
For people with mild to moderate psoriasis, these symptoms are not always noticeable, or at the very least, affect only a few areas. With severe psoriasis, however, these crusty bumps often merge together, eventually covering larger areas of the body.
Apart from their unsightly appearance, people with psoriasis are also burdened with physical sensations like itchiness, pain, and in some cases, bleeding. Others may also experience psoriatic arthritis, which causes swelling and pain in the joints and happens to around 10% to 30% of people with psoriasis.
Ultimately, the symptoms vary per person, depending on the type of psoriasis you have.
Types of Psoriasis and Symptoms
- Plaque Psoriasis is the most common type. Symptoms include:
- Patches of red, scaly skin around the body
- Plaques of crusty skin on the scalp
- Skin irritation, itching, pain, and bleeding on the affected skin
- Sensitive conditions on the fingernails and toenails, such as dents, holes, discolouration, and in some cases, detaching or separating from the skin
- Pustular Psoriasis occurs in the hands and feet, wherein red, scaly skin usually appear on the palms or soles.
- Guttate Psoriasis usually affects people during their childhood or early adulthood, causing small, red spots to appear on the torso and limbs. This type of psoriasis may also cause other health conditions like tonsilitis, respiratory infections, and strep throat.
- Inverse Psoriasis manifests as shiny, red lesions body parts with skin folds, like the armpits, breasts, and groin.
- Erythrodermic Psoriasis appears as bright red skin that eventually shed into sheet-like scales. Flareups are typically triggered by infections, severe sunburn, or certain types of medications, and in such cases, require immediate treatment to avoid more illnesses.
What Causes Psoriasis?
Unfortunately for psoriasis victims, the world has yet to reach a breakthrough about the exact cause of this mysterious skin condition. Howeover, what we do know with certainty is that it is somehow related to a faulty immune system, which triggers sudden skin inflammation and irregular cell production.
As opposed to the usual skin growth cycle of 10 to 30 days, people with psoriasis produce new skin cells every 3 to 4 days, thus leading to a buildup of old, dead skin cells a.k.a. the crusty white scales sitting atop those red patches.
That said, while we may not be able to conclude what exactly causes psoriasis, there are some well-known triggers you may want to stay away from to prevent bad outbreaks:
- Stress
- Injuries like cuts, scrapes, and wounds
- Post-surgery injuries
- Certain medications like antibiotics, NSAIDs, blood pressure pills, and mood-stabilising pills
What is the Best Psoriasis Treatment?
With all that physical, mental, and emotional challenges this skin condition puts you through, we understand how eager you must be to find the best treatment for psoriasis.
Well, first thing’s first. We’ll be honest and say there is no way to completely cure psoriasis, nor is there a one-size-fits-all solution to treat it. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t improve it! On the brighter side, there are some tried-and-tested skincare tips that have proven to help reduce symptoms – with some slowing down skin cell growth, and others providing relief against skin irritation.
Whatever the case may be, incorporating all these into your lifestyle will definitely make a big difference!
5 Skincare Tips for Psoriasis
1. Invest in Topic Treatments & Skincare for Psoriasis
Whether you’re dealing with mild psoriasis or have a more severe case, topical treatments will be your new best friend! Their purpose it to help manage symptoms, and depending on the product, they can relieve anything from dry skin to inflammation to painful flare ups.
So next time you’re out shopping or running by the drugstore, make sure to pick up must-have products which we’ll share further down the article!
2. Avoid Harsh Skincare Ingredients
Whether you like it or not, living with psoriasis automatically puts you in the “sensitive skin” list. That means no tattoos, too much sunlight, hot water, and harsh products.
Take note of these no-no ingredients the next time you go skincare shopping!
- Fragrance
Alternative: Look for products that say “fragrance-free”, which are common among moisturisers and lotions for sensitive skin
- Alcohol (ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, methanol), especially in lotions
Alternative: Petroleum jelly, shea butter, lotions with ceramides
- Sulfates, especially in soaps
Alternative: Wood tar or coal tar soaps, oatmeal soap, gentle exfoliating soaps and moisturising soaps that are “sulfate-free”
Other skincare ingredients that are safe for psoriasis for include:
- For exfoliation: Lactic acid and salicylic acid, just make sure to start in small doses
- For moisturising: Aloe vera, capsaicin, glycerin, jojoba, zinc pyrithione
- For bath time: Epsom salts, dead sea salts
3. Apply Cold Compress for Psoriasis
We swear by this practical tip. Applying cold compress on affected areas will help reduce inflammation and itching.
4. Control the Scratching
No explanation needed! When it comes to psoriasis, it is crucial to avoid scratching the sensitive areas. This holds especially true during an active flare up when itching, swelling, and flaking are at its peak. Scratching and picking damages the skin, and may even cause sores and further infection – yikes!
We know it’s easier said than done, but your self-control will be awarded in the long run! If all else, take an antihistamine to help with the itching.
5. Get Professional Facials for Psoriasis
Topping up these daily skincare tips with regular facials is a great way to treat psoriasis and keep your skin condition at bay.
For one, facials make use of specific skincare ingredients and techniques that help reduce inflammation and manage common symptoms like itching, dryness, and redness.
Moreover, there are different kinds of facials that incorporate gentle exfoliation to remove dirt, oil, and dead skin cells that settle within our skin. For psoriasis, in particular, this step is necessary for proper skin cell growth and turnover. Lastly, and most importantly, getting regular facials ensure overall skin health, and this goes for everyone – psoriasis or not!
That said, we’re sharing the best facial treatments for psoriasis, which you can try out here at Lovoir Skin Body & Beauty!
Best Facials for Psoriasis
LED Light Therapy for Psoriasis
Our LED Light Therapy uses ultraviolet light to trigger specific biological processes in the skin, thus giving way to healing and rejuvenation from the inside out!
Depending on the colour and wavelength used, it works to address different skin conditions, including psoriasis, eczema, acne, rosacea, scars, and signs of aging. This non-invasive treatment is ideal for all ages and skin types as it promises zero pain and discomfort while still effectively targeting deeper layers of the skin.
Book our LED Light Therapy Facial here
Vitamin Infusion Facials for Psoriasis
Our Vitamin Infusion Facials use gentle electrical impulses to incorporate skin-friendly vitamins into deep skin layers. Together, they work to increase collagen production, revitalise the skin, and improve overall tone, texture, and complexion!
For those with psoriasis, this treatment helps reduce itching, dryness, and inflammation, while simultaneously preventing future flare ups with vitamin-infused skincare.
Book our Vitamin Infusion Facial here
Janesce Holistic Facials for Psoriasis
Our Janesce Holistic Facials ensure overall skin health by incorporating plant-based, organic products into a gentle skincare routine!
The skin will go through cleansing, exfoliating and steaming, following by an intensive mask and relaxing facial massage. Together, they serve as a perfect way to hydrate, heal, and rejuvenate the skin, especially the daily discomforts of psoriasis.
Book our Janesce Holistic Facial here
Best Skincare Products for Psoriasis
On top of regular facial treatments, make sure to continue with a suitable at-home skincare routine for psoriasis. Here are the best products you can incorporate into your beauty regimen – that is, of course, with the go-signal from your skin therapist or dermatologist!
Moisturisers for Psoriasis
Contrary to what some may believe, EVERYONE needs a good moisturiser, including those with oily skin, acne breakouts – and yup! – psoriasis. After all, the latter is as dry as dry could get, and what better way to combat that than with a good, high-quality moisturiser.
Steroid Creams for Psoriasis
Steroid creams, also called topical corticosteroids, are a game-changer in reducing inflammation. Apart from offering relief against the itching, they also work to slow down the production of new skin cells, thus managing the formation of new, crusty patches.
There are different types available with varying strengths, so those with severe cases don’t need to worry about finding an ointment that suits their condition.
Retinoid Creams or Vitamin A Cream for Psoriasis
Retinoids are a popular skincare treatment for psoriasis, particularly for mild to moderate plaque psoriasis. They are typically available as topical retinoids (called tazarotene) or in oral form (called acitretin), both helping in reducing inflammation and slowing down skin cell growth. In effect, regular applications help reduce the formation and appearance of the flaky, dry, raised skin patches.
Vitamin D Creams and Ointments for Psoriasis
Vitamin D deficiencies and psoriasis are more related than we think, at least according to some experts. While the lack of Vitamin D doesn’t exactly cause psoriasis, it does affect the body’s health, thus getting in the way of skin healing.
As such, a good way to inject some much-needed Vitamin D into your skin care routine is through topical creams or ointments. They help soothe the skin, especially during flare ups.
Coal Tar for Psoriasis
Coal tar is a skincare ingredient that helps slow down the growth of skin cells, which as we already established, is a major cause of psoriasis. While it mostly used for scalp psoriasis, some skincare brands also offer coal tar soaps and coal tar ointment.
Try Our Facial Psoriasis Treatments at Lovoir
Needless to say, treating psoriasis is not a sure-ball shot of getting rid of it completely. But with proper knowledge, the right skincare treatments, and a whole lot of patience and grace, you’re well on your way to living with psoriasis in the most comfortable and confident way possible.
If you’re interested in trying out any of our psoriasis-friendly facials, browse our beauty treatments to learn more about what you can expect. Our LED Light Therapy, Vitamin Infusion Facial, and Janesce Holistic Facial incorporate safe ingredients and gentle skincare techniques that help to cleanse, smoothen, and rejuvenate your skin while relieving common psoriasis symptoms and taming down flare ups.
Check out our range of facial treatments here!
You can also book a consultation with our skin therapists to further assess your skin condition and discuss the best treatment plan for your skin goals.
Book a skin consultation here!
Sounds good? See you at the salon!
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