Soothe Yourself With Warm Baths
A daily warm bath using a mild soap can help soothe itchy spots and remove dry skin.
Take 15 minutes to soak in the warm water. You might find comfort if you add oil, finely ground oatmeal, Epsom salt, or Dead Sea salt to your bath, but keep the water and soap mild. Hot temperatures and harsh soaps can be hard on skin that’s already sensitive.
Try not to rub your skin with the towel as you dry off. Gently pat dry instead. The rubbing action can make sores worse and even cause new ones. Follow immediately with a moisturizer.
If you don’t have time for a bath, you can still put a wet towel or cold compress on the trouble spot. Read more about skin care tips for psoriasis.
What Are Other Types Of Psoriasis
Plaque psoriasis is the most common type. About 80% to 90% of people with psoriasis have plaque psoriasis.
Other, less common types of psoriasis include:
- Inverse psoriasis appears in skin folds. It may look like thin pink plaques without scale.
- Guttate psoriasis may appear after a sore throat caused by a streptococcal infection. It looks like small, red, drop-shaped scaly spots in children and young adults.
- Pustular psoriasis has small, pus-filled bumps on top of the red patches or plaques.
- Sebopsoriasis typically appears on the face and scalp as red bumps and plaques with greasy yellow scale. This type is a cross between psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis.
How To Get Rid Of Psoriasis This Summer: 5 Tips From Our Doctors
Do you suffer from psoriasis? Are you worried about how to look after your skin this summer? Then this is the guide for you!
For the two million people in the UK who have psoriasis, summer can be a challenging time.
While sunlight and humidity can keep the worst of their symptoms at bay, there are other aspects of summer than can cause psoriasis to flare up. We’ve teamed up with our smart network of doctors to help you manage your symptoms effectively.
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I Treat Myself To A Manicure During Flare
When Helen Hanrahan, author of the Dublin, Ireland-based blog The Flaky Fashionista is having a psoriasis flare-up, she enjoys some me-time to take her mind off things.
The little bit of pampering gives you a lift, and your newly painted nails will give you something pretty to focus on and distract you from your skin.
For the past three years, Hanrahan has been on a biologic drug that has stopped her psoriasis flare-ups. But for nearly 20 years before, her skin was constantly problematic, especially during stressful times.
To manage her psoriasis, Hanrahan swears by Cocoa Brown Kind Shampoo and Kind Conditioner. It was created by someone who suffers from scalp psoriasis so its very gentle and non-irritating.
For her skin, she likes natural products that contain seaweed, like the Irish brands Voya and Green Angel face and body moisturizers.
Use tons and tons of moisturizer before applying makeup to ensure that your makeup stays in place and doesnt dry out your skin too much. Her go-to camouflage makeup: Vichy Dermafinish Foundation and Setting Powder.
For those with scalp psoriasis, Hanrahan suggests skipping dark tops. They highlight the problem. Make paler shades such as white, taupe, grey, cream, or beige your go-to colors. She avoids lace too, since it can scratch and highlight inflamed skin.
I find accessories are great for distracting the eye if your psoriasis is bad scarves, costume jewelry, jaunty fedoras.
I Use Minimal Makeup When My Psoriasis Is Bad
Glasgow-based blogger Jude Duncan of The Wee Blondie says moisturizer and mascara are all she needs when shes having a flare-up.
Putting foundation or other products on your psoriasis will only make it worse! Keep it light, and your skin will be so grateful, she says.
For the past four years, Duncan has battled psoriasis on her face and scalp. To manage breakouts, Duncan uses Aveeno for Sensitive Skin shampoo twice a week and shower gel two times a day. Theyre gentle on her skin and affordable.
Theyre the only products that dont irritate my psoriasis and dont smell like tar. For her face, she loves Cetraben Emollient Cream. Its so light but gives you amazing skin.
These eight fashion and beauty bloggers remind us to put our best foot forward, no matter what qualities we may not love about ourselves. Their pro tips for managing psoriasis are truly inspiring. What are your best tricks of the trade to treat psoriasis symptoms? Share them with us in the comments below!
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Stick To A Few Essentials
Sticking to a few essential high-quality products will achieve far better results than a complicated array of facial products. The fewer products and ingredients you apply on your face, the less the risk of your skin reacting negatively or getting irritated. Get a good, high-end foundation that offers good coverage in just one layer.
How Is Psoriasis Diagnosed
Doctors usually diagnose psoriasis by examining the skin, scalp, and nails. They’ll also ask whether someone else in your family has psoriasis and if you recently had an illness or started taking a new medicine.
Rarely, doctors might take a skin sample to check more closely. A can tell the doctor whether it’s psoriasis or another condition with similar symptoms.
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Is Kim Kardashian Wests Method Of Using Body Makeup On Psoriasis Safe
She may not have found a cure for psoriasis yet, but Kim Kardashian West has found a way to cover the redness and inflammation from her flare-ups with body makeup. The reality TV star and makeup mogul created her own KKW Beauty Body Makeup line, launching on June 21. In a video on Instagram, Kardashian West shared the techniques she uses to cover up the red patches on her skin, posting a candid before-and-after shot to depict the effectiveness. This one shown above is the body Make Up. This is what I use most often. I dont always like my legs to have shimmer on them. I use this when I want to enhance my skin tone or cover my psoriasis. I bruise easily and have veins and this has been my secret for over a decade, Kardashian West revealed on through her post.
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Doctors suggest that if a plaque has cuts or is weeping , applying makeup can irritate skin and infect it. In this case, using a dermatologist recommended topical ointment or treatment is necessary to bring the inflammation under control. Once dry and stable, I think a concealer or foundation can be applied to the areas with psoriasis. I would make sure to treat it with the right skincare before piling on makeup on it, though, says Dr Abhijit Desai, a Mumbai-based dermatologist.
If you are suffering from psoriasis, we urge that you check with your skincare expert before applying makeup or skincare products.
Use Liquid Base Products No Powders
Avoid using powder-based products, including foundations and concealers. This is because the powder tends to make your skin even drier, which may lead to more flaking. For best results, use liquid-based products as they stick better to your face and provide more coverage. Always remember that less is more when it comes to makeup and psoriasis.
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Start By Reducing The Scaling
Makeup looks better on a smooth surface. So, before applying it, make sure to minimize psoriasis scaling on your face for better results. One of the best methods for de-scaling is hydration. Hydrate your lesions by sitting in warm water with bath oil for about 10 to 15 minutes. After that, gently exfoliate the scales with a towel. Make sure to do this once every week to help soften and reduce the hard, dry, scaly patches.
I Cover Up Breakouts With Green Concealer Priming Spray And Setting Spray
British beauty vlogger Bryony Bateman says she never covers up her skin to please other people.
I dont care if people stare or ask questions. I use it as an opportunity to educate them and raise awareness, she says.
Bateman loves beauty products and swears by moisturizing and priming skin, particularly during bad psoriasis breakouts. It creates blank skin ready for foundation. She turns to Dermalogica Ultracalming moisturizer for her face. Then she applies Urban Decay B6 Vitamin-Infused Complexion Prep Priming Spray before applying makeup.
Bateman had her first psoriasis flare-up seven years ago and started using Instagram and YouTube to connect with other people who have psoriasis.
Concentrating on helping others manage their psoriasis has actually been a way of managing mine! To keep her skin in check, Bateman takes a weekly bath with Westlab Dead Sea Salt. During flare-ups, shell hit the bath sometimes every day with an extra dose of sea salt. When my psoriasis is bad, the only time Im not in pain is in the bath. She also applies coconut oil on her skin every morning and night and uses Capasal Therapeutic Shampoo, which contains salicylic acid and coconut oil to help with flakes.
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I Soak In A Bentonite Clay Bath At Least Once A Week
Fashion blogger Katie Rose says one of her favorite psoriasis cures is bentonite clay baths. She buys a 2-pound tub of bentonite clay online and adds a few scoops to her bath. Then she soaks for a good 20 minutes once or twice a week.
The bentonite clay helps draw toxins out from my skin and improves my psoriasis symptoms. Its cleared my skin up a few times and is definitely something I recommend for any skin problems, not just psoriasis, she says.
She also loves relaxing in a warm bath with sunflower and fractioned coconut oil, which also help soften psoriasis scales.
To minimize flare-ups, Rose avoids skincare products with parabens, sulfates, and fragrance. Ive found they make my psoriasis a million times worse and irritate my skin, making it sore. Instead, she moisturizes with the Diprobase emollient cream recommended by her doctor.
To cover up psoriasis scars, Rose likes Sally Hansen Airbrush Spray-on Tan. Ive been using it for over 15 years now, and its a lifesaver. It hides everything, so I can wear my little black dress whenever I want. I love a good night out getting dolled up, and psoriasis wont stop me looking good.
Properly Prep The Surface Of Your Skin
Psoriasis creates an uneven skin texture, so creating a solid base for makeup is crucial. Dr. Ramachandran recommends starting with a good moisturizer to treat dryness and gently soften scales. Im currently using Vanicream Lite Lotion, $13, which absorbs quickly, is non-comedogenic and doesnt contain any of the common chemical irritants, like dyes, preservatives, or fragrances.
The next steponce your moisturizer has had enough time to absorb, Dr. Ramachandran saysdepends on your personal preferences. I try not to use prescribed topical treatments on my face before makeup as they can cause irritation. Plus, theyre often in the form of an ointment, which might leave the skin surface greasy and make it difficult to apply the products. Instead, I put my treatments on before I go to bed.
If you are applying a topical treatment to your face in the morning, Dr. Ramachandran recommends leaving it to soak in before starting on your makeup. Or, like me, you can save your greasier treatments for the evenings before bed and use cream-based treatments in the mornings.
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Tips For Putting On Makeup When You Have Psoriasis On Your Face
For years, Ive had psoriasis on my bodytypically my knees and elbows. It was usually easy enough to apply a topical treatment, cover it up, and forget about it. But two years ago, I started getting patches of psoriasis on my face, and it was a whole different story.
While I wanted to go makeup-free as much as possible to keep my skin clean and free from products, I knew I would feel more comfortable if I could conceal my psoriasis when I was going out. And a quick application of tinted moisturizer followed by my trusty concealer stick just didnt cut it any more.
Psoriasis, a chronic skin condition, can cause red, scaly patches that may itch, crack, and bleed. And, if theyre on your face, those patches can make applying makeup evenly a more difficult process, Sarika Ramachandran, M.D., an assistant professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine, tell SELF.
I dont have all the answers and there are still days when my skin is really unpredictable. But here are four tips Ive learned that make it a little easier to apply makeup when I have psoriasis on my face.
Articles On Psoriasis Beauty Tips
Cosmetics and cover-up lotions can be part of your treatment for managing symptoms of psoriasis. If you like, try these clever make-up tips to conceal your irritated skin.
Some lotions and makeup are designed for people with skin problems. For instance, you could look for creams that have green dyes to counter skin redness. Ask your doctor for advice on how to pick one that meets your needs.
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I Exfoliate Psoriasis Flakes With My Clarisonic Brush
Beauty vlogger Krishna Branch says that while it wont work for everyone with psoriasis, she swears by her Clarisonic Acne Cleansing face brush. The very gentle exfoliation helps to prep my skin for a smoother makeup application.
Branchs go-to day and night cream is SheaMoisture African Black Soap Problem Skin Moisturizer. She says its hydrating without being too greasy. She loves the brands cleansers and shampoos as well, crediting the natural ingredients for their minimal irritation. To keep her scalp hydrated and flakes at bay, she says coconut, olive, and avocado oils are a must.
During flare-ups, Branch tries to avoid makeup. When she does use it, she makes sure to moisturize with a heavy cream and then apply a face primer. The extra barrier may help protect your skin from makeup, hopefully causing less irritation. When youre done with your day, wash off the makeup as soon as you can.
Tips For Better Makeup Application
Camouflaging Psoriasis lesions often needs professional cosmetic knowledge, and the following Makeup application tips will help any Psoriasis patient in the successful concealation of this pesky skin condition.
Reduce Psoriasis scaling
Camouflaging makeup works incredibly on less scaled Psoriasis lesions. Consequently, you should strive to engage in de-scaling techniques such as hydration or occlusion prior to any makeup application. Hydration typically involves sitting in a warm water tub for 10 to 15 minutes, and then gently exfoliating the lesion scales with a towel.
Occlusion, on the other hand, involves application of emollient cream on the lesions, wrapping them with a plastic cover overnight and washing away the scales in the morning shower.
Choose Liquid-Based Products
Often at times, powder based concealers dry the skin and they dont have the shine and finish of a liquid based concealer. Therefore, its advisable for any Psoriasis patient to utilize makeup products that have a liquid shine and finish.
Foundation comes first
Any great makeup concealation starts with a good foundation. Foundation is important in achieving a natural look, and certainly, a concealer cant work remarkable without a good foundation.
Applying the concealer
Beware of colour correctors
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What Causes Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an immune system problem. Your immune response overreacts, causing inflammation, which leads to new skin cells growing too fast.
Typically, new skin cells grow every 28 to 30 days. But in people with psoriasis, new cells grow and move to the skin surface every three to four days. The buildup of new cells replacing old cells creates the silvery scales of psoriasis.
Psoriasis runs in families. There may be a genetic component. Parents may pass it down to their children.
Can You Conceal It
You naturally want to look your best. But with psoriasis, there are a few more things to consider.
Know where you can use cosmetics. If your symptoms are under good control and all you have is some redness or brown spots, a cover-up may work well. But if there are raised patches or your skin is scaly, it likely won’t.
Don’t use any cover-up for psoriasis on open sores or raw or bleeding skin.
If your psoriasis causes pus-filled blisters or red and scaly skin on large parts of your body, ask your doctor before you use any cover-up product. It may not work and could actually make your psoriasis worse.
See how your skin does. If a cosmetic cover-up for psoriasis seems to bother your skin, stop using it.
Time to rethink? If you’ve spent a lot of time and money trying cover-ups that haven’t worked, you may want to ask your doctor what else could help and if your psoriasis treatment plan is working.
Robert Brodell, MD, professor of internal medicine, dermatology section, Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, Rootstown, Ohio.
Alan Menter, MD, president, International Psoriasis Council director, Psoriasis Research, Baylor Research Institute, Dallas.
National Psoriasis Foundation: “Camouflage and Cover-ups.”
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Show Off Your Flair For Fashion
Airy scarves and shawls can offer quick coverage, as can breathable fabrics like long-sleeved linen or cotton shirts and pants. Long skirts and maxi dresses are also a good go-to option in the summer. A chandelier necklace for women or festive bow tie for men draws the eye away from problem areas. A bright lipstick or dramatic eyes also do the trick.