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Engelman adds that psoriasis is not just a skin disease but also an indication of general body inflammation.
Illustration bySimone Noronha
Focusing on prevention can have a bigger impact on your experience with psoriasis than you might think.
The more pliable your skin is, the less likely it will be to crack or tear.
Sandy Skotnicki, a board-certified dermatologist in Toronto, Canada, and author ofBeyond Soap,echoes Engelmans advice.
Proper moisturization, she says, can also help the skin better absorb topical psoriasis medication.
This isnt just true when it comes to temperature, but also regarding body wash choice.
This is where an occlusive, like glycerin, will be beneficial.
Engelman also notes layering as an important part of optimizing how much moisture your skin isr receiving.
Another common piece of advice from each dermatologist was to avoid excessive sun exposure at all costs.
The same goes for tanning bed use.
Scalp psoriasis can be exacerbated by harsh hairstyling habits or chemical treatments.
Other beauty treatments that you should adjust when dealing with psoriasis?
Diet is very important in a couple ways.
First, food contains nutrients we need to fight and kill bad bacteria, she says.
Without them, the skin feels threatened and becomes inflamed.
Thats because gut health and skin health are closely intertwined.
Second, your diet supports [skin health], Engleman says.
Diets rich in antioxidants, vitamins, proteins and healthy fats support healthy skin cell turnover.
Definitively treating psoriasis is not a one-size-fits all endeavor different lifestyle changes might work more effectively for different people.
