August is Psoriasis Action Month. With 1 in 50 people suffering from the skin condition, here’s why increasing your exposure to Vitamin D may help to calm symptoms
It may be one of the most common skin conditions in the UK, but for those that suffer with psoriasis, flare ups can result in discomfort and embarrassment. The good news is that a recent study has revealed that increasing exposure to Vitamin D can help to improve symptoms of the condition which include itchy, dry, red patches of skin. Aesthetic doctor and skin expert Dr Miriam Adebibe explains how increasing levels of vitamin D, may help to decrease symptoms of the condition.
Vitamin D deficiency is shown to be higher in those with psoriasis
“What’s interesting,” Dr Miriam shares, “is that Vitamin D deficiency is higher in people with psoriasis than the general population. While we don’t know if the deficiency or the condition comes first – did the deficiency increase the risk of developing psoriasis, or did the presence of psoriasis reduce the skin’s production of Vitamin D – it’s been shown that upping intake of vitamin D can help to reduce symptoms of the condition.”
So, how does increasing exposure to vitamin D help? And how can it be done?
“Vitamin D is key to the formation of the skin barrier and its all-important task of warding off harmful bacteria, toxins, and infection. It’s also a key antioxidant that reduces the body’s inflammatory proteins and helps to calm the skin’s immune response by regulating T-cells which help to protect the body from infection.
To add to this, as it can slow down the wound healing process, if you’re suffering from a deficiency, this function will become impaired, and patches of psoriasis may take longer to clear.”
Here’s how you can up-the-ante on vitamin D
1.Sunlight
Increasing exposure to sunlight is known to improve psoriasis symptoms as it encourages UV-induced production of Vitamin D in the skin. Despite this, it can damage the skin in other ways such as through free radicals, collagen breakdown, and increasing the risk of cancer.
- Diet
Increasing dietary intake of vitamin D prove beneficial through foods such as oily fish (wild salmon, halibut, mackerel) Cod liver oil in the form of table supplements helps as well as omega-3 fatty acids which are helpful for those that don’t eat fish.
Vitamin D can also be taken through your diet or as a supplement orally, intramuscularly, or even topically as a cream. For effect, it must be in the active form, which is usually prescribed but do take care with extreme oral supplementation as vitamin D is stored in the body’s fat cells, so too much can cause toxicity. This can result in nausea, vomiting, confusion, and in extreme cases, kidney failure, which is why applying Vitamin D topically is ideal for supporting skin.”
- Skincare
When it comes to selecting Vitamin D in the form of skincare, “an oil applied in the evening after your night serum is probably the best way to add the important ingredients into your routine. I would go for an oil-based formula because vitamin D is fat-soluble,” Dr Miriam recommends, “but take it slowly so as not the aggravate the condition if you’re experiencing a flare up. Use this in the evenings after cleansing the skin and allow the vitamin D oil to absorb overnight. Your vitamin D can be stepped up to twice daily if tolerated,” she prescribes.
- Phototherapy
LED light therapy can stimulate vitamin D production without the harmful effects of sun exposure. UVB light is the most effective form, as it is absorbed by the skin and converted into vitamin D, which is then circulated through the bloodstream for essential use.
