Pausing to Recognise Psoriasis Awareness Month
Psoriasis is a common inflammatory skin condition that affects about 125 million people worldwide, and, for those suffering from the condition it can sometimes feel isolating to live with symptoms of this chronic condition when people around you don’t fully understand what you’re experiencing day to day.
Every August, The National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) presses pause, and stops to spotlight and increase awareness of this skin disorder. For us at Koéna, psoriasis is a topic very close to our heart, mission and our customer community.
What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a skin related condition that occurs when an individual's immune system is over-creating skin cells. This process of excess cell creation makes the skin appear flaky and scale-like in patches; often in more exposed areas of the body such as the elbows, knees, and scalp. A normally functioning immune system will create and shed skin cells on a monthly basis; however with psoriasis new cells are being created at a multiplied rate every three to four days leading to a fast accumulating excess - these pile ups of skin cells are commonly known as plaques. Plaques can be found anywhere on the body and range from small to large in size. Psoriasis is mostly genetic and cannot be transmitted, and while there are no external factors that are known to cause the condition, there are triggers that can increase the frequency and intensity of breakouts; these include but are not limited to stress, smoking, sun damage, and medications. Topical treatments can help alleviate the redness and help manage the plaques.
Best ways to calm psoriasis?
As there is no known way to permanently cure psoriasis, there are certain things you can do to help control breakout; the most common being a topical cream. Anyone who suffers from a skin condition and frequently experiences flare-ups, knows the challenge of finding a non-irritant moisturizer or non-steroid prescribed cream; sometimes it takes a few different products before you find one that your skin doesn’t react to. Depending on how severe your flare-up is, applying lotion twice a day can dramatically improve the elasticity, hydration and smoothness of your skin. Other ways to minimise plaque flare-ups are to try to cut out known stress factors (we know, this is often much harder than it sounds). Creating intentional space in your schedule that’s void of screen time, allows you time to think, reflect and meditate, allocating time for exercise which will naturally reduce the levels of adrenaline and cortisol (the body’s stress hormones), eating healthy! (we all know food controls how our skin feels!), taking supplements (pssttt did you know we started our own supplement company?) and, a slightly more unconventional methods for reducing inflammation - acupuncture! Sufferers of any type of chronic disease, like psoriasis, can take a toll on a person’s emotional and physical health so it's important to make time for things that will help you look, feel and live life better.
Koéna moisturisers
As a company deeply rooted in skin science, Koéna’s new Body Lotion and Dermaceutical face moisturiser are purposefully formulated to help alleviate redness and calm irritated skin, using ingredients that are naturally anti-inflammatory. Our proprietary formula, Resta-plex, was patented by disease immunologist and Chief Scientist Dr Paul Turner; a unique combination of ingredients that works synergistically on different areas of the immune system. Through extensive research, Dr Turner found that the active ingredients could suppress the levels of cytokines (small proteins that help control the growth and activity of other immune system cells and blood cells) where excess multiplication had occurred, thereby reducing the inflammatory response often manifesting in conditions like psoriasis.
Our new body lotion and face moisturiser contain Glucosamine; an ingredient recognised in the skincare industry as a natural anti-inflammatory. When used topically, this ingredient helps assist in building collagen and rebalancing skin inflammation. One of the main things it is known to help combat are skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. So, if you suffer from any type of skin inflammation, we highly encourage you to try our fragrance-free products today! You won't be disappointed!
Buy the Body Lotion here Buy the Dermaceutical Face Moisturiser here
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