Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder that affects the skin. The only symptoms we see from Psoriasis are the effects it has on the skin. If you have psoriasis or if a loved one has it, you understand that it’s not only embarrassing but painful, too.
Aug 9, 2019 9:13:03 AM / by The Institute of Skin Science
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder that affects the skin. The only symptoms we see from Psoriasis are the effects it has on the skin. If you have psoriasis or if a loved one has it, you understand that it’s not only embarrassing but painful, too. In fact, certain types of arthritis are associated with this particular disease. It’s a double whammy. You may have the plaques appear, just as your joint pain finally begins to subside.
Psoriasis is a miscommunication of cells that tell your immune system to start growing skin cells. We have cells in our body called cytokines. Cytokines are immune cells that act like an interpreter for you skin; they alert your immune system to inflammation. When your skin loses surface cells, for example, say you fall from your office chair and scrape your nose on the tightly woven carpet near your desk. Your cytokines start talking to your immune system, insisting new cells get replaced, and fast! Cytokines can be your best friend if you have a date a few days after your face to floor meeting in the office, but if the cytokines start alerting your immune system without provocation, well then we have a problem.
You see, our immune system does not know when the cytokines are really calling for help because there is an injury to cells, or if they are just making prank calls. Either way, our trusty immune system reacts, and continues to react until the cytokines stop calling. The result of our cells overreacting is a buildup of cells on the surface of our skin, or plaques. Normal skin sheds its entire depth approximately every 28- 30 days, give or take a week depending on our age and health.
Skin cells begin growing deep inside our epidermis, migrate upward, and eventually slough off. People who have Psoriasis grow about the same amount of new cells in 3-4 days, but are unable to shed the skin cells growing within the skin at such an accelerated pace. This causes painful plaque to build up on the outer surface of the skin. The plaque that accumulates on the outer surface of the skin is painful, irritated, and inflamed.
To make matters worse, internally the NMF (natural moisture factor) decreases, which compromises the barrier function of the skin. The healing time slows and skin not only feels irritated, inflamed, but now dry, and dehydrated.
To explain a very complicated disease the simplest way I know, is to highlight the main components of Psoriasis. Skin accumulates an overabundance of cells, without getting rid of the old, unneeded cells first. Skin is inflamed, red, irritated, and very dry and the body can no longer heal properly due to the decreased moisture content. With the body in a constant stressed state, immunity weakens causing more reactions to external factors.
There are different severities of Plaque Psoriasis: Mild forms that only affect the skin, and flare up only a few times a year, to very severe, disabling plaque with painful arthritis. Individuals with more severe psoriasis need to see a health care professional to control the symptoms. There is no cure for psoriasis, however with help from your skin health professionals, you can control the severity of the flare-ups, and possibly control how often you experience them.
For mild to moderate psoriasis, your best bet to beat the disease is by controlling the symptoms.
The Licensed Master Aestheticians at GlyMed Plus have a few physician-approved ways to control the symptoms before, after, and during Psoriasis flare-ups.
Using a professional skin care product to help with the symptoms of psoriasis, will be more beneficial than products sold at your local grocery store. There’s a greater chance of irritation and reaction with products purchased OTC; this is due to the fact that most contain harsh detergents. You also need to investigate the professional products you purchase as well, as not all products are equal. Department store brands or cosmetic grade, have a lower percentage of pure ingredients. GlyMed Plus products are Pharmaceutical grade – which means the FDA regulates the ingredients and requires that they are 99% pure. Cosmetic grade skin care products are only required, by the FDA, to be 75% pure. An example of this would be, Aloe Vera. This means OTC products that contain Aloe Vera leaves room for 25% of the particular product to have fillers, thickening agents, bi-products, and preservatives. All fillers have the potential to cause irritation. .
Using an exfoliator with lactic acid or salicylic acid can reduce the keratosis that builds up during a Psoriasis flare. It is important to assist those dead cells in sloughing off the skin instead of building up and turning into plaque. A cleanser with low percentages of Salicylic acid will not only slough off the keratinized cells (dead cells), but it will reduce inflammation in the skin. SAL is an important component to controlling psoriasis, because of its abilities to remove accumulated cells and calm inflamed skin. Sal-X Purifying Cleanser is one of our many award winning products. It contains 2% Salicylic Acid, which is not only great for controlling acne, but it also assists in the shedding of dead cells and calming inflammation in the skin. When using AHAs for psoriasis it is important not to over use your products. Alternatively, use products two or three times per week, and use products that have low percentages of acids. Other AHAs, like lactic acid, have the same keratolytic properties as well as the ability to assist in skin’s hydration. Master Aesthetics Elite Gentle Facial Wash from GlyMed Plus has a 15% blend of AHAs (including glycolic and malic acid), and does not contain soapy detergents that cause irritation. .
Use healing ingredients: Incorporating a healing and hydrating moisturizer like Arnica Healing Cream from GlyMed Plus, which contains arnica Montana, a potent anti-inflammatory, anti-septic, and astringent that not only promotes healing, but calms irritated skin. A benefit for sore muscles and joints, Arnica Montana also works great on arthritis, bruising, and other types of inflamed tissue. Arnica Healing Cream is an essential skin care product for professional estheticians. .
Moisturize! For those people who suffer from psoriasis, daily moisturizer is essential. Using a high quality moisturizer can prevent flare-ups, and can be helpful in preventing and treating outbreaks of psoriasis. Moisturizers will prevent skin from drying out, itching and reddening all while aiding in quicker healing time for damaged skin. .
Use Zinc: The trace element Zinc also has beneficial qualities including protecting the immune health of your skin which is why Zinc is found in many topical psoriasis treatments. Studies found that topical emollients containing zinc have proven to be effective in localized Psoriasis. The Wrinkle Prescription Mask with PC10 from GlyMed Plus is a powerful antioxidant and anti-aging mask for the skin which contains many healing and anti- inflammatory agents. The inclusion of zinc makes this a beautiful treatment mask, packed with anti-aging benefits, as well as being a proven aid in controlling psoriasis. .
Use Shea Butter: Butyrospermum Parkii, otherwise known as Shea butter is a natural fat from the fruit of the karate tree. It protects the skin from dehydration and external aggression due to harsh climates. An anti-inflammatory packed ingredient that restores suppleness and moisture, improves appearance of dry skin with anti-irritants. GlyMed Plus Hand & Body Lotion, with pharmaceutical grade Shea butter, can be used anywhere psoriasis flares appear. Amino Acid Epidermal Sealant with PC10 not only contains pharmaceutical grade Shea butter, but it contains strong antioxidants that decrease inflammation and environmental aggressors that trigger psoriasis flares. .
Use an occlusive: In addition to using some of the topical treatments previously mentioned, you can increase the effectiveness of any products mentioned above, by covering them up, a process known to Skin Care Professionals as occlusion. When you cover up, or seal, an ointment already applied to your skin, it will be more likely to absorb the medication or moisture to provide relief for psoriasis. For a safe anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidizing, cell barrier, try Cell Protection Balm from GlyMed Plus. Your professional Aesthetician’s favorite professional product, for all irritations to the skin, inflammations, and dermatitis.
Anyone suffering from Psoriasis knows how irritating, embarrassing, and painful the condition can be. But, by following the steps above, you’ll be able to help reduce the number and severity of flare ups that occur. Staying on top of your condition and contacting a skin care professional will greatly aid the in reduction of this irritating condition.
If you have any questions and would like to speak to one of our friendly Master Aestheticians in your area please email support@glymedplusaustralia.com.au
Written by The Institute of Skin Science
