Summer is coming and you are wondering how you will manage sun exposure with your psoriasis or eczema. Once again we give you a few tips. The sun can benefit your skin, but to what extent? Don't you dare wear light, bare outfits?
Here are our recommendations to properly prepare your skin for the sun. This way, you will make the most of summer while protecting your fragile skin. Also discover our general advice: How to live daily with your psoriasis or his eczema. How to stand up to discriminations ?
The benefits of the sun on psoriasis and eczema
Exposure to sunlight is generally recommended when you suffer from psoriasis or eczema. Indeed, sun exposure can improve the condition of scaly and atopic skin. 90% of people suffering from psoriasis or eczema see the condition of their skin improve when they expose themselves to the sun (1). In case of pregnancy, see our advice.
But why ? First of all, it should be noted that when we expose ourselves to the sun, the skin is in contact with two types of rays: UVA and UVB. Exposure of the skin to UVA will act on melanin cells and therefore trigger pigmentation of the skin. The tanning mechanism, natural protection against the sun, then takes place.
As for UVB, it acts on the body by boosting the synthesis of vitamin D. Vitamin D is beneficial for treating psoriasis. It is often prescribed in the form of a treatment cream by dermatologists. In the context of atopic dermatitis, vitamin D is also recommended. However, the latter is more in the form of food supplements.
Generally speaking, UVB acts on the cells responsible for the development of plaques on the skin (keratinocytes) by slowing down their proliferation. This is why, in order to treat psoriasis and eczema, dermatologists often offer specific therapies where patients are exposed to UV: phototherapy or puvatherapy.
But beware ! It is important to qualify these comments about the benefits of the sun. Moderate sun exposure can have positive effects on psoriasis or eczema, however, excessive exposure is completely discouraged. Unprotected, prolonged and abusive exposure to UV rays accelerates skin aging. Ultimately, this can trigger skin cancer. Dosage, it's all about dosage.
Is sea water beneficial for relieving psoriasis? 
- Reduction of inflammation : Seawater contains magnesium with anti-inflammatory properties, helping to reduce the redness, swelling and itching associated with psoriasis .
- Improved skin appearance : Swimming in salt water can improve the appearance of psoriasis by removing dead skin cells.
- Itch relief : Relief from itching can be felt from the first application of the shampoo, and psoriasis itching can disappear completely in 4-5 days .
- Natural treatment : Seawater is considered an effective natural remedy for various skin conditions, including psoriasis.
- Effectiveness of natural active ingredients : The effectiveness of sea water in treating the symptoms of psoriasis is attributed to the presence of minerals and natural plant active ingredients.
- Hydration and nutrition of the skin : Sea water can help hydrate and nourish the skin, contributing to its healing and repair of damaged epidermis
How to cure psoriasis and eczema before summer?
Exposing yourself to the sun, the benefits for psoriasis and eczema
When you suffer from eczema or psoriasis, the ideal is to do a treatment one month before exposure to remove the marks and red patches on the skin. You will thus be comfortable going out in the sun and wearing light outfits and suffering less from possible discrimination.
One to two months before sun exposure, we recommend the use of Regenerative Complex and Pso Natura Rich Restructuring Cream. 100% natural, the Regenerative Complex helps make plaques and redness disappear in 1 month. The Rich Cream, used as a supplement, relieves itching and deeply hydrates the skin.
Note that Pso Natura treatments are compatible with sun exposure and can be used throughout the summer without risk of photosensitization.
Prepare your face and atopic skin well for the sun
If sun exposure is beneficial for psoriasis or eczema, it is important to prepare your skin for the sun. The objective is of course to avoid getting sunburned (very harmful to your health) on all parts of the body such as the face and to preserve your solar capital. In addition, in case of hair removal, freshly waxed skin is more sensitive to the sun, think about that
A healthy diet for a tanned complexion
A month before exposure to UV rays, it is good to consume foods rich in vitamin A such as carrots, tomatoes, peppers and other green and red vegetables. Food remains the primary source of vitamins and minerals. We do not recommend taking food supplements based on beta-carotene and antioxidants whose effectiveness has not been scientifically proven. Certain diets help limit psoriasis or eczema.
UV tanning booths: to be avoided
We totally do not recommend tanning booths to prepare your skin for the sun or relieve your eczema/psoriasis! Tanning booths often available in beauty salons are actually very dangerous for the skin.
Tanning booths only emit UVA rays which weaken the skin. They do not prepare the skin for the sun and do not boost the synthesis of vitamin D (which is beneficial for psoriatic and atopic skin). Finally, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), exposure to ultraviolet radiation from tanning beds is carcinogenic (2). In summary, we must therefore favor natural exposure to the sun. In cases of depression linked to psoriasis or eczema, the sun is a good natural remedy to help restore morale.
Focus on hydration
Hydrating your skin well is also essential before exposure. The sun tends to dry out the skin so if you are exposing skin that is already very dry, hello crocodile skin! Before exposure, moisturize yourself from the outside by applying a moisturizer morning and evening. Drink at least 1,5 liters of water per day to hydrate your body from the inside. Some water ! We didn't talk about alcohol. It goes hand in hand with psoriasis or eczema, but also with the sun.
Choosing suitable sun protection for psoriasis or eczema
As with any person, it is very important to protect yourself from the sun with appropriate protection. The choice of solar index must be adapted according to your skin type. We recommend choosing a minimum index of 30, applying cream every two hours and after each swim. We do not recommend exposure during the hottest hours between 11 a.m. and 16 p.m.
Psoriasis: gentle tanning
It is important to go easy on the sun, if you spend a whole day in the sun (and moreover after not having been exposed to the sun for a long time), you risk getting sunburned.
Sunburns, in addition to being uncomfortable and harmful to the skin, risk triggering flare-ups of psoriasis/eczema or exacerbating already existing irritations and redness, especially if you suffer from Koebner's Disease, a “bonus” which adds to the problem of psoriasis, causing an outbreak in the event of attack on the skin: sunburn, small injury, etc.
Prolonged and excessive exposure, in addition to harming your psoriasis, can accelerate skin aging and in some cases be responsible for skin cancer. You know it, all the media tell you so, but don’t give in to the dictates of “tanned skin” fashion. Better tanned skin than an unhealthy tan for your health. Exposure to the sun is generally a time of rest, take advantage of it to try to relieve your stress: meditation is a good way in these circumstances.
Is the sun good for your health?
Note that the sun is prohibited when taking photo-sensitizing treatments (cortisone cream, methotrexate, phototherapy, puvatherapy). In these cases, do not stay exposed to the sun and use factor 50 cream when you go out. If you are taking medical treatment, do not hesitate to ask your doctor or pharmacist to find out if you can expose yourself.
Also remember to protect yourself when you are doing outdoor sport.
Finally, you know us, we love natural and organic products. So for sun filters, prefer mineral filters to synthetic filters. They provide effective and immediate protection from water, salt and sunlight.
Psoriasis and the sun: taking care of your skin after exposure
After exposure, it is very important to hydrate and nourish your skin. We recommend a natural cream containing:
- Soothing ingredients like Aloe Vera and Carapa Procera Oil.
- Some moisturizing oils like sweet almond oil and apricot kernel oil.
- Nourishing agents like shea butter.
Psoriasis and eczema: what to do in case of sunburn?
Even if you protect your skin from the sun (sun cream, textile protections, no exposure between 11 a.m. and 16 p.m.), you may inadvertently let your guard down and get sunburned... Sunburn is a first-degree burn of the skin caused by excessive exposure to UV rays.
Firstly, if you have a sunburn, the first instinct is to stop exposing yourself until the skin has healed.
Then take a cool shower to rinse the skin and calm the inflammation. Putting cold compresses on burns can soothe the pain, or even passing a halved tomato on sunburns. We also recommend applying aloe Vera gel to the lesions several times a day with its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. Finally, drinking plenty of water is essential to compensate for dehydration.
Be careful, if you notice blisters a few hours after exposure and the pain is very strong, then it may be a second degree burn. In this case, you must go to the doctor (the burn may become infected).
Please note that if you wear a tattoo, sun protection is all the more essential if it is recent.
How to make psoriasis go away?
Here are treatments on how to prevent/avoid a psoriasis flare-up:
The complex : It is a 100% natural foaming treatment which is specially designed to naturally relieve psoriasis and skin problems. Recognized as a medical device for psoriasis, this treatment has demonstrated proven effectiveness of 94% on psoriasis in clinical studies. It offers visible results in just one month on average, helping to reduce redness, scales and itching. It can be used all over the body, face, outside of private parts, feet, knees, etc.
Pso Natura Eczema Cream : This cream is specially designed to relieve the symptoms of eczema, such as redness, irritation and itching. It provides lasting soothing to the skin, while nourishing it to contribute to its repair and healing. Its unique 99% natural formulation, enriched with beneficial oils such as Carapa procera oil and apricot kernel oil, allows the cream to effectively nourish and restructure damaged epidermis. In addition to its moisturizing properties, it offers exceptional comfort of use, leaving the skin satiny and clean without a sticky feeling. Clinical studies have shown excellent hydration rates after application, confirming its effectiveness .
Pso Natura Psoriasis Shampoo : This dermatological shampoo is specially designed to treat the symptoms of psoriasis on the scalp, including scales, dandruff and itching. Ultra-concentrated and water-free, it offers maximum effectiveness thanks to the strong presence of natural plant active ingredients. It soothes itching from the first application, with total elimination of itching in 4-5 days. In addition, it helps to effectively eliminate scales and dandruff while respecting and nourishing the hair, thanks to ingredients like Carapa procera oil, vitamin E and sweet almond.
What are sun-related illnesses?
The sun, although a source of life and well-being, can also be the cause of various skin conditions, especially in people suffering from psoriasis.
While moderate exposure to sunlight is often beneficial for people with psoriasis, helping to alleviate symptoms with natural light, excessive exposure can have the opposite effect. Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can worsen psoriatic lesions and cause increased inflammation in the skin.
In addition, overexposure to the sun significantly increases the risk of skin cancer, particularly in people with sensitive skin or already affected by dermatological disorders.
It is therefore crucial for individuals suffering from psoriasis to find a balance between the benefits and risks associated with the sun, by adopting appropriate sun protection measures, such as the use of sun creams with a high protection factor, and the wearing of protective clothing. coverings, and limiting direct exposure during the hottest hours of the day.
sources:
(1) How to enjoy summer?… With psoriasis
(2) Sun Ray
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