Kim Kardashian's Psoriasis And Skincare Journey
- Kim Kardashian, a psoriasis sufferer, has been opening up about her many skincare challenges. Most recently she’s showed off “laser skincare tightening” on her stomach.
- Kim recently confessed to a psoriasis outbreak that may have been linked to stress when she had to fit into a notorious Marilyn Monroe dress for May’s exclusive Met Gala.
- Psoriasis is thought to be an immune system problem triggered by infections, stress, and cold temperatures.
- Most common symptoms are a rash on the skin, or unsightly scabs and scales.
- Treatment can involve removing scales on the skin. Topical ointments, light therapy, and medications can also offer relief.
Morpheus, which Kim is promoting, is a micro-needling procedure that utilizes radiofrequency energy to remodel and contour the face and body using a technique called subdermal adi-pose remodeling.
It's described as a fractional treatment that penetrates deep into the skin and fat for a smoother and sleeker appearance.
The reality TV star, 41, has been open about her struggle with psoriasis – an uncomfortable autoimmune condition that has made her more relatable to her fans.
"Psoriasis broke out over my body and I got psoriatic arthritis, so I couldn't really move my hands," Allure's August 2022 cover model said. "I had to go to a rheumatologist who put me on a steroid. I was freaking out. I cut out the meat again, and it's calmed down."
Kardashian experienced her first psoriasis flare-up at age 25 after she battled a common cold, which she says may have triggered the outbreak. Her mother and momager, Kris Jenner, 66, also suffers from this autoimmune disease.
"My journey has been very different from my mom's, but I see so many similarities as well. She had it in her scalp and all over her body, and I'd see it all the time and remember her going to the tanning salon to try and ease it. Getting UV rays directly on the spots really helped my mom," she shared on sister Kourtney's Poosh lifestyle site. "For me, however, that remedy would burn the areas and cause them to itch, so I always felt helpless. I am the only child my mom passed down her autoimmune issue to. Lucky me, lol."
Kardashian’s latest treatment comes after she bared her face on Instagram and revealed her morning skincare routine, ditching her makeup for all of her followers to see.
She showed how she exfoliates her face with her SKKN by Kim Exfoliator, a product she developed and brought to market.
“It’s a @SKKN kind of exfoliating morning,” read the captioned the video, which is set to Muni Long’s “Hrs & Hrs.”
Kardashian is seen smoothing the product over her face before pretending to blow a kiss at the camera.
Understanding Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes red, itchy patches to develop on the skin. It is a chronic disease, which means that it does not have a cure. Fortunately, symptoms can often be managed with different treatments and, for some, even lifestyle adjustments.
The disease is rare: only about 3.2% of the U.S. population suffers from psoriasis, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Still, there have been major developments when it comes to treatment in recent years.
"Psoriasis is a chronic, auto-immune skin condition where you have red, scaly patches on the skin," Dr. Saakshi Khattri, a dermatologist/rheumatologist at Mount Sinai Health System, tells SurvivorNet. "It is a chronic condition, which can ebb and flow. You can have good days and bad days."
Dr. Saakshi notes that while anyone can develop psoriasis, the disease is more common in people between the ages of 30 and 50. Researchers believe genetics, as well as environmental factors, may play a role in the development of psoriasis.
Dr. Saakshi Khattri explains how systemic treatments can be used to treat psoriasis.
If you are suffering from psoriasis, go see a dermatologist who can help determine the treatment plan best for you. Just know that you don't have to suffer alone. There are many things you can do to help lessen the severity or completely clear your symptoms.
Psoriasis and Lifestyle Changes
Since psoriasis is known as an autoimmune disease, which is typically an inflammatory condition where the body mistakenly attacks your own cells, there are certain natural lifestyle changes that you can incorporate that won't put as much stress on the body. In turn, the flare ups may diminish, or clear up completely for the lucky ones.
"Naturally, humidity and the sun work for me," a psoriasis patient tells us. "This [condition] popped up when I was 35. As I got older is when it slowly started appearing; on my elbows, my legs, my scalplittle by little I was a mess. And nobody in my family has it," he adds.
For some, the sun will exacerbate symptoms. Salt water from the ocean, however, can be good for clearing up skin conditions.
Also, eating an anti-inflammatory diet can reportedly help immensely for controlling flare-ups.
Some people with psoriasis try to combat its distressing effects by following a paleo diet.
A paleo diet, by definition, mainly consists of meat, fish, vegetables, and fruit, and excludes dairy or grain products and processed food.
According to the Paleo Diet website, "Foods that cause inflammation include refined carbohydrates, wheat and other cereal grains, soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages, margarine, shortening and lard, and processed meats."
These types of foods can cause insulin (a hormone that controls our blood sugar) to spike in our bodies, which can contribute to inflammation and also alter our gut health, meaning change the level of good bacteria vs. bad bacteria, which can wreak havoc on the body.
Overall, getting an adequate amount of rest and 7-8 hours of sleep every night is a tried and true method of putting less stress on your body, therefore lessening the severity of certain conditions like psoriasis
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