Facial psoriasis: definition, causes and treatments
Do you suffer from facial psoriasis? Discover the causes, symptoms and effective treatments available in Canada to relieve red patches and restore healthy skin.
How to care for psoriasis on the face?
Facial psoriasis is a skin condition that results in thick, dry skin. Discover our expert guide to help you understand facial psoriasis, manage the onset of symptoms and limit the disease's impact on your life.
Psoriasis of the face, also known as facial psoriasis, is a chronic skin condition that manifests itself as red, thick, dry patches on the forehead, eyebrows and wings of the nose. It is usually accompanied by psoriasis on other parts of the body.
In children, the mouth and eyelids are particularly affected.
Due to its chronic nature, psoriasis symptoms can appear and disappear unexpectedly. No cure has yet been found, but various treatments can help alleviate symptoms and soothe the skin
Often confused with seborrheic dermatitis, facial psoriasis can combine with the latter to form a new condition called sebo-psoriasis.
What causes psoriasis on the face?
The exact cause of psoriasis remains unknown, but genetic predisposition and an overactive immune system could be at the root of the inflammation responsible for facial psoriasis.
This overactive reaction causes the immune system to attack healthy skin cells. These then create new cells faster than they should, increasing skin cell proliferation and leading to psoriasis symptoms.
Triggers for psoriasis on the face are usually irritants or allergens, but the following factors can increase the risk:
- Stress
- Infection or injury
- Reaction to medication
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Alcohol
- Vitamin D deficiency
How to recognize facial psoriasis?
Psoriasis can be diagnosed through a medical history and physical examination by a dermatologist. As psoriasis can resemble other skin conditions, tests can be carried out by a healthcare professional to confirm the diagnosis. In this case, a small sample of skin tissue is taken to be examined under a microscope.
Make-up can help reduce the red patches of psoriasis. Green complexion correctors can visually neutralize the red.
Before applying your complexion corrector, be sure to use skincare products suitable for sensitive skin.
Opt for a moisturizing face cream compatible with psoriasis before applying your make-up. For example, Bioderma's ultra-soothing Sensibio visibly reduces redness caused by dryness.
H20 micellar water from the Sensibio range is particularly suitable as a make-up remover for sensitive skin.
Even if make-up can help camouflage your symptoms, it's best to use it sparingly and let your skin breathe as often as possible.
Moderate sun exposure with appropriate sun protection can help reduce skin inflammation and plaques.
But be sure to protect your skin from UV rays during sun exposure.
Bioderma Photoderm Mineral Fluide protection guarantees optimum tolerance for intolerant skin.
How can facial psoriasis be reduced?
There are several solutions to reduce the symptoms of psoriasis, such as facial redness.
What are the risk factors for facial psoriasis?
Several factors may be responsible for the appearance of psoriasis symptoms on the face, and these will vary from person to person.
Extreme weather conditions can promote dry skin. Wind and cold are particularly harsh on dry skin, and can trigger psoriasis flare-ups.
To prevent the appearance of psoriasis on the face, it's important to thoroughly cleanse and remove make-up from your skin, morning and night. When the skin is not cleansed, particles of pollution, dust and other impurities accumulate on the epidermis and clog the pores. The skin can no longer breathe and cannot regenerate itself. This encourages bacterial proliferation and prevents cell renewal, leading to skin disorders.
Applying a protective cream to the face on a daily basis helps prevent skin dryness. When the skin is dry, its barrier function is not restored, and external aggressions are exacerbated. Hydration is therefore the first preventive measure to reduce the appearance of psoriasis.
Facial psoriasis is twice as common in children as in adults, but can affect people of any age. It appears most often in people aged 16 to 22 and 57 to 60, and on fair skin.
Choosing the right products for your skin can help reduce the onset of your facial psoriasis symptoms. Use soap-free cleansers in milk or gel form to avoid rubbing the skin. Use lukewarm water and pat your skin dry to avoid irritation.
As mentioned below, moisturizing your skin is one of the first preventive measures against facial psoriasis. Choose a fragrance-free moisturizer to apply after every shower, and before going out in autumn and winter when your skin is particularly stressed. Emollients are designed to be applied in thin layers, without any greasy or sticky effect.
In addition to moisturizers, other topical agents to relieve psoriasis symptoms may include corticosteroids.
For more extensive local treatments, consult your dermatologist. Many of these treatments are irritating to the skin and require a medical recommendation to best suit your symptoms.
If your symptoms persist, other treatments such as phototherapy or systemic treatments may be recommended.
How do I shave psoriasis-prone skin?
Shaving can be very aggressive for sensitive skin and can encourage the appearance of psoriasis on the face. If your sensitive skin already suffers from psoriasis, use an electric razor rather than a mechanical one. Moisturize after each shave with a product suitable for sensitive skin.
The Sun
Moderate sun exposure with appropriate sun protection can help reduce skin inflammation and plaques.
But be sure to protect your skin from UV rays during sun exposure.
Bioderma Photoderm Mineral Fluide protection guarantees optimum tolerance for intolerant skin.