Kim Kardashian, the SKKN BY KIM founder and reality star, gave an update on her psoriasis journey and showed her fans the ‘painful’ red markings on her legs due to a recent flare-up.
On Tuesday, she posted a series of videos on her Instagram stories, where she showed the extent of her psoriasis flare-up on her legs. She captioned one of the videos,
“Not gonna lie this is painful. Not sure what my triggers are. I haven’t changed my diet. I’ve tried everything! Psoriasis sucks.”
Psoriasis is a common skin condition that causes red, scaly patches to appear on the skin, usually on the elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back. It is caused by an overactive immune system that produces too many skin cells, which then build up on the surface of the skin.
Although it is not contagious, it can still be inherited. There is also no cure for it, but there are treatments that can help manage the symptoms and prevent complications.
This condition can affect the quality of life and mental health of people who have it, as it can cause physical discomfort, social stigma, and emotional distress.
Kim has been open about her struggle with psoriasis since 2011, when she was diagnosed with the condition at age 30. She inherited the condition from her mother, Kris Jenner, who also has the skin condition.
Kim has documented her psoriasis journey on her social media accounts and on her family’s reality show, “Keeping Up with the Kardashians”. She has also tried various treatments and remedies such as cortisone injections, herbal ointments, seaweed products, and even breast milk.
In her Instagram stories, she also revealed how she currently treats her psoriasis flare-ups, which involves using tanning beds and red light therapy. She said that she uses these methods twice a week, and that they help her get some relief from the ‘intense itching’ that she experiences. She also said that she does not use these methods for cosmetic purposes, but for medical reasons.
“I use tanning beds and red light therapy twice a week. It’s the only thing that helps with the intense itching. I’m not trying to get a tan, I’m trying to get some relief.”
Tanning beds and red light therapy are both forms of phototherapy, which is a treatment that uses artificial or natural light to treat various skin conditions, including psoriasis. Tanning beds emit ultraviolet (UV) light, which can reduce inflammation and slow down the growth of skin cells. Red light therapy emits low-level wavelengths of red light, which can stimulate blood circulation and collagen production, and reduce inflammation and oxidative stress.
However, both tanning beds and red light therapy have their risks and limitations, and they are not recommended for everyone. Tanning beds can increase the risk of skin cancer, premature aging, eye damage, and infections. Red light therapy can cause skin irritation, headaches, insomnia, and photosensitivity.
Therefore, it is important to consult a dermatologist before using any of them for psoriasis, and to follow their instructions and precautions.
