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Kim Kardashian and her carefully-cultivated look are famous for numerous reasons: the curves, the hair, the lashes, the contouring. In beauty circles, she is also known for having quite incredible skin – so flawless it looks almost doll-like, say those who have seen her close-up.
However, the ever-candid 38-year-old is also a long-term sufferer of psoriasis, a chronic skin disease for which there is no cure. It is estimated that up to three per cent of the population of the UK and Ireland live with the condition, which can occur anywhere on the body.
This week Kardashian shared a photo of her "psoriasis face" on Instagram Stories, and last year tweeted: "Why am I now suffering psoriasis on my face". These aren't the only times time she has been vocal about her skin troubles - as well as mentioning it in an episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians, she wrote about psoriasis on her blog in 2016 year, saying:
Sometimes I just feel like it's my big flaw and everyone knows about it, so why cover it? I'm always hoping for a cure, of course, but in the meantime, I'm learning to just accept it as a part of who I am.
According to the Psoriasis Association, the condition seems to occur in two 'peaks' – first becoming an issue between your late teens and early thirties before flaring up again past the age of 50.
How do you treat it?
The good news for psoriasis sufferers is that the condition can be treated – and there tends to be no scarring. “Depending on the extent of the disease, psoriasis can be managed with topical creams and ointments, UVB light therapy, systematic medicines and biologic injectable drugs for the most severe cases,” says Dr Mahto. “Obesity is also associated with psoriasis, therefore exercise and remaining healthy can help.”
As with all skin conditions, everyone’s case is different – but it’s important to keep skincare gentle when dealing with a flare-up. Epionce Lytic Gel Cleanser cleanses skin while relieving inflammation in itchy, sore skin. Moisturising is also key and will help relieve any itchiness caused by psoriasis. Chanel La Solution 10, though expensive, is designed with sensitive skin in mind and contains only 10 ingredients.
Lifestyle changes could also help; the link between diet and psoriasis is not fully understood, but given stress is thought to be a trigger, getting more sleep and keeping your phone away from the bedroom during a flare-up, should help ease the symptoms.
