For some people, psoriasis can be a painful source of insecurity, and covering it up might be a way to feel more confident. But not everyone with psoriasis feels this way. Some people choose to embrace their skin and show it off with pride. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to cover up psoriasis is a personal one.
These makeup tips can help conceal your irritated skin.
Some lotions and makeup are designed for people with skin problems. For instance, you could look for creams that have green dyes to counter skin redness. Ask your doctor for advice on how to pick one that meets your needs.
Glow From a Bottle
Self-tanning products have come a long way since the days when they gave skin an orange tinge. Today's lotions can put a sun-kissed look on your skin. Some experts say they may also help hide psoriasis.
Can You Conceal It?
Know where you can use cosmetics. If your symptoms are under good control and all you have is some inflammation or spots, a cover-up may work well. But if there are raised patches or your skin is scaly, it likely won't.
Don't use any cover-up for psoriasis on open sores or raw or bleeding skin.
If your psoriasis causes pus-filled blisters or red and scaly skin on large parts of your body, ask your doctor before you use any cover-up product. It may not work and could actually make your psoriasis worse.
See how your skin does. If a cosmetic cover-up for psoriasis seems to bother your skin, stop using it.
Time to rethink? If you've spent a lot of time and money trying cover-ups that haven't worked, you may want to ask your doctor what else could help and if your psoriasis treatment plan is working.
How to Minimize Psoriasis Patches
You can minimize and even conceal psoriasis patches on your legs.
Adjust your routine. A long, hot shower can make psoriasis worse. Try to keep your bath temperature warm, not hot. And don’t stay in there too long. Ask your dermatologist about coal tar washes that you can use on your legs. They may also recommend using an exfoliating salicylic acid cleanser a few times a week to remove extra flakes.
Moisturize. After showering, moisturize your legs right away. Use a product your dermatologist recommends: something fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, and non-clogging. You may need to try several moisturizing creams or ointments to find one that doesn’t sting or irritate your skin.
Know when to apply medicated creams. If your doctor has prescribed a corticosteroid product, you may want to apply it at night so it has time to absorb. Corticosteroid creams and ointments can stop the overproduction of skin cells that make psoriasis plaques, but makeup may not stick to skin that has a heavy cream or ointment on it.
Consider using a primer. Moisturizer absorbs into your skin, but makeup primers sit on top of it to create a smooth surface. That helps makeup stick better -- especially if your skin's surface isn’t even because of your psoriasis plaques.
Apply cover-up. You can cover pink or red patches with a lightweight liquid foundation. Darker or more severe patches may need a heavier product (like “pancake” foundation). If you use a liquid or semi-liquid product, you can “set” it with powder and a brush.
You can also try a powder-based mineral foundation, which can be easy to apply with a makeup brush. These are ideal for covering larger flares. Keep in mind that your legs may not be the same skin color as your face, so you may have to try different colors to see what works best at hiding your patches. Skip products that sparkle or highlight. They can draw attention to problem areas. And never put makeup on an open wound or skin that’s bleeding.
Take care covering joints. If you’re covering a patch on a joint like your knee, for example, bend it while you’re putting on makeup. That will keep the makeup from separating or cracking when you move.
Remove makeup carefully. Use your fingers or a gentle cotton cloth or cotton balls and a gentle makeup remover to take makeup off. Petroleum-based removers soften makeup for removal. Harsh scrubs or cloths can make flare-ups more irritated.
Talk with your doctor. Flare-ups happen. But if your skin is constantly red and irritated or you almost never feel good about the way you look, it’s time to talk to your doctor about adjusting your treatment plan. In addition to topical skin creams, there are other prescription medications that can help calm your body’s immune system and control psoriasis symptoms.
