Psoriasis is a chronic skin inflammatory disease that affects about 2% of populations worldwide. Stress is both a consequence of living with psoriasis, and

a cause for psoriasis exacerbation, which makes it very difficult to control. People experiencing higher levels of stress also reported greater disease severity, psoriasis-related stress and impairment of disease-related quality of life. What’s also very interesting, it that people suffering from this condition statistically are using antidepressants, tobacco and tranquillisers more in comparison to other sectors of the population.

TREAT

Did you know that 80% of adults suffering from a certain skin condition have their mood affected? Psoriasis is one of the most widely studied psycho-dermatological disorders, due to its association with stress and having strong psychosocial impact on patients’ lives. Therefore, it is essential to seek help if you feel that this condition is affecting you deeply ask for help to a dermatologist or psychodermatologist.

SUSTAIN

You’ll be very surprised to see the different techniques recommended by dermatologists and other doctors to maintain a calm mind. Among them are non-pharmacological modalities for stress reduction such as acupuncture & acupressure, aromatherapy, and techniques to slow your breathing rates. Others like meditation, guided imagery, music & shammanic drumming (yes, really) have also demonstrated maintaining a calm mind.

MAINTAIN

So what happens to the skin when psoriasis occurs? Normally skin cells are replaced every 28 days. However, in psoriasis this cellular regeneration takes only 3-7 days to occur, which creates a build-up of dead skin cells. This is why, most of the antibiotics and products recommended to treat these conditions will aim to reduce the hyperkeratinization of the skin. However, since the condition can completely differ from one person to the next, it is essential to get the right product from a dermatologist, as most over the counter products might just not help. Therefore, don’t hate us if we don’t recommend any products, but we just want you to make the best choice!

For more skincare wisdom like this, check out our podcast The Skinterview. Each week, we interview a skincare expert on the topics that really matter, demystifying complex concepts, busting beauty myths and sharing honest reviews!