For people who don’t live in the Hollywood spotlight, fashion can seem like a luxury reserved for the fortunate few, born with perfect figures and chiseled jawlines. But fashion isn’t a luxury, it’s a tool – one that can be used to make the most of the physical attributes nature gave us and give us the confidence to look and be our best. It’s true for the short and the tall, the skinny and the overweight, and it’s most certainly true for those living with psoriasis.
Using fashion to help take charge of your psoriasis can be a detailed process that varies from person-to-person, but getting started couldn’t be simpler. In fact, it can be summed up in in just three basic steps.
- Comfort First
Psoriasis can be an uncomfortable, itchy, and even painful condition, so never wear clothing that aggravates your skin. Wool and other abrasive fabrics should be avoided, as should anything tight-fighting or “grabby.” Tights may be a great way to conceal skin blemishes, but if they leave you feeling itchy then find another, looser-fitting option such as longer skirts or higher boots.
- Show Skin Selectively
Physical comfort is important, and so is social comfort. If your psoriasis outbreaks make you uneasy in public there are many ways to reduce their visual impact. For the torso, arms, legs, and feet this is generally pretty easy, but anything on the hands or head area might require some creativity. Fashionable accessories such as scarves, hats, and sunglasses can do wonders – not only for direct concealment, but also to distract the eye. If your hands are flaring a bit too much for your taste, then enlist the aid of a statement necklace to draw the eye elsewhere.
- Keep Flakes in Check
Nothing throws a monkey wrench into your carefully planned, comfortable and concealing outfit like a shower of flakes clinging to you shoulders. Skin flakes are often a fact of life with psoriasis, so it’s always best to keep a few basic guidelines in mind. Avoiding dark colors is a great first step since lighter tones will make flakes harder to see. Or you could do one better by wearing slippery materials such as sequins, thereby preventing flakes from building up in the first place.
Of course, these basic steps are only a starting point – keeping up with the latest styles is an ongoing process for any fashionista, regardless of whether they have psoriasis. Stay current with trends via the usual fashion publications or specialized blogs such as The Flaky Fashionista, and always do so with an eye towards what might be comfortable, concealing, flake-deterring, and fun.
Finally, and perhaps most important of all, remember to stay on top of your psoriasis on a daily basis. The very best way to fashionably deal with psoriasis is to deal with LESS psoriasis, so stick to your treatment plan, take care of your skin, and avoid your triggers. By diligently managing the disease and having some fun with your fashion, you’ll find that psoriasis’ impact on your life is reduced while your confidence rises – and confidence is always in style!