TL;DR:

  • Psoriasis affects 2-3% of the U.S. Population (around 7.5 million people).
  • It causes rapid skin cell growth, leading to thick, scaly patches.
  • The role of the immune system and genetics in psoriasis.
  • Different types of psoriasis.
  • How Corneotherapy helps manage psoriasis.
  • Key beneficial ingredients in dermaviduals® products.
  • Nutritional deficiencies linked to psoriasis.
  • Best supportive dietary choices and foods to avoid for managing psoriasis.
  • Tips for managing psoriasis with professional help and personalized skincare.

Psoriasis—it’s that challenging autoimmune condition that makes your skin cells multiply like they’re training for a marathon. This accelerated growth leads to thick, scaly patches that can drive sufferers up the wall with itching and discomfort. And guess what? These patches can pop up anywhere on your body, giving us different types of psoriasis.

How Common is Psoriasis in the U.S.? In the United States, psoriasis isn’t exactly rare. It affects about 2% to 3% of the population—around 7.5 million people! While the skin is the main area affected, psoriasis is linked to several undesirable disorders, such as:

  • Psoriatic arthritis (hello, achy joints!)
  • Heart disease
  • Obesity
  • Insulin resistance (and its buddy, diabetes)
  • Mental health issues (think depression and anxiety)
  • Increased cancer risk
  • Other autoimmune disorders like IBS and celiac disease

Who Gets Psoriasis? Psoriasis doesn’t discriminate—it hits all genders equally, affecting about 2-3% of the US population. It’s a lifelong condition that can vary from mild to severe. And if you look at family trees, you’ll often find a few relatives dealing with it, too, alongside asthma, dermatitis, or rheumatoid arthritis.

The Immune System’s Role: The immune system, our body’s personal security team, is divided into two main parts: innate and adaptive. In individuals with psoriasis, this system becomes overactive, leading to significant inflammation at the cellular level, a critical factor in the condition’s development. Understanding this process can empower individuals to manage their condition better.

What Happens Inside the Cells? In psoriasis, keratinocytes—the predominant skin cells of the epidermis that begin their journey in the basal layer—start multiplying much faster than usual, about ten times faster. This rapid growth means they don’t mature properly, leading to the red, scaly plaques typical of the condition.

And then there are the T cells. These immune cells are supposed to keep us safe from infections, but in psoriasis, they go into overdrive, resulting in even more inflammation and a weakened skin barrier. A genetic twist, specifically a filaggrin gene defect, can exacerbate psoriasis. Filaggrin, a protein crucial for skin barrier function, disrupts the normal life cycle of skin cells when faulty, making it challenging to maintain a healthy epidermis.

Psoriasis

Types of Psoriasis: Psoriasis manifests in several forms, each with its quirks:

  • Plaque Psoriasis: The most common type, featuring red, raised patches with silvery scales. These can be itchy or painful and appear just about anywhere.
  • Nail Psoriasis: Affects nails, causing pitting, discoloration, abnormal growth, and sometimes nails loosening or crumbling.
  • Guttate Psoriasis: Often appears in kids and young adults, usually after strep throat. Think of small, drop-shaped lesions on the arms, legs, trunk, or scalp.
  • Inverse Psoriasis: Found in body folds like the armpits, groin, and under the breasts, marked by smooth, red patches worsened by sweat and friction.
  • Pustular Psoriasis: A rare type with red patches covered by pus-filled blisters, commonly on the hands, fingers, and feet.
  • Erythrodermic Psoriasis: The rarest form, involving widespread red, peeling rashes that can cover the whole body, causing severe itching and burning.
  • Psoriatic Arthritis: Besides skin symptoms, this type comes with swollen, painful joints that can lead to significant damage if not treated.

types of Psoriasis

Let’s Explore How We Can Support Psoriasis Management with a Corneotherapeutic Approach: Corneotherapy is a powerful methodology that focuses on repairing the first three lines of skin barrier defense. It takes a personalized approach by first understanding what’s triggering those complex skin barrier issues. Then, it uses targeted topical treatments to restore and strengthen the stratum corneum (the skin’s outermost layer) and the overall barrier defense systems. This personalized approach can empower individuals to manage their condition better, offering hope and a path to healthier skin.

For example, a young man who came to dermaviduals® struggled with severe plaque psoriasis that covered his elbows and knees. After consulting with a skin treatment therapist specializing in Corneotherapy, he began using dermaviduals® products tailored to his skin’s specific needs. Within four weeks, he noticed a significant reduction in inflammation and scaling. His skin felt more comfortable, and the painful cracks had healed. A personalized skincare routine included products rich in urea, fumaric acid, and Derma Membrane Structure (DMS), which helped to repair his skin barrier and reduce inflammation.

Psoriasis before and after

Why dermaviduals® is Ideal for Psoriasis: dermaviduals® is built on the principles of Corneotherapy. Imagine each formulation tailored just for you under the guidance of a dermaviduals corneotherapist. These products are pure, active, and free from all the nasties like fragrances, conventional emulsifiers, preservatives, parabens, silicones, amines, mineral oils, and colors. It’s all about promoting healthy, balanced skin from the outside in and inside out.

Powerhouse Ingredients for Psoriasis: Here are the dermaviduals® ingredients that can work wonders for psoriasis:

  • Urea: Helps to moisturize and reduce inflammation.
  • Phosphatidylserine: Combined with ceramide NP, it helps manage psoriasis by reducing inflammation, enhancing skin barrier function, promoting healthy cell turnover, supporting wound healing, and modulating the immune response.
  • Linolenic Acid (Omega 3): Strengthens the skin barrier with It’s super anti-inflammatory
  • Fumaric Acid: Used to treat various skin disorders, including psoriasis. It helps in skin cell turnover.
  • Azelaic Acid: A natural keratolytic agent that breaks down the excess skin cells in psoriasis. It’s also anti-inflammatory.
  • Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG): Supports the formation of keratin and filaggrin, which are crucial for managing psoriasis. It’s also anti-inflammatory and strengthens the skin barrier.

Where to Find These Ingredients in dermaviduals® Products:

Use these products as directed to see real improvements in psoriasis.

Psoriasis and Nutritional Deficiencies: Living with psoriasis means your skin is in overdrive, shedding cells like there’s no tomorrow. This rapid turnover can deplete essential nutrients, especially vitamin D. If your diet isn’t up to par, these deficiencies can lead to more inflammation and a host of health issues.

Key Nutrients Often Deficient in Psoriasis:

  • Omega 3 Fatty Acids
  • Zinc
  • Vitamin D
  • Vitamin A

There’s an interesting link between high serum copper levels and low zinc levels in people with psoriasis. Omega 3s are skin saviors, producing prostaglandin 3, an anti-inflammatory hormone that helps calm the skin. Since inflammation is a significant player in many chronic conditions, including psoriasis, keeping it in check is crucial. Research shows that inflammation in the gut can trigger skin issues like psoriasis, rosacea, dermatitis, and acne. Diets high in refined sugars, oils, and processed foods only fuel the fire.

Best Dietary Choices for Psoriasis:

  • Fish, lean protein, or plant-based proteins such as tofu or tempeh
  • Fruits and vegetables
  • Legumes (beans and lentils)
  • Nuts and seeds
  • Olive oil
  • Small amounts of low-fat dairy

Foods to Avoid:

  • Alcohol
  • Dairy
  • Refined carbohydrates
  • Saturated & Trans Fats
  • Foods high in added sugar
  • Gluten

Summarizing Our Psoriasis Guide: Thanks for diving into the world of psoriasis with us. Managing this condition takes a holistic approach—think skin-identical topicals and internal interventions, stress management, and lifestyle tweaks. It’s all about working with a team of dermaviduals® professionals dedicated to your skin health.

If you or someone you know is struggling with psoriasis, reach out to one of our nearest dermaviduals® clinics. Start your unique skin journey towards a healthier, happier future. Stay tuned for more tips and insights on managing your skin health!