My psoriasis first appeared at the age of 12 when my parents were getting divorced – and in general, it’s still stress that triggers it now. I haven’t allowed it to stand in my way though. I’ve never worried about wearing short sleeves in front of people, or wearing a bikini on the beach. I just don’t care what anybody thinks because I made a pact with myself long ago that I would really try to not let it affect me.
This doesn’t mean it’s been easy. Just keeping up with the skin care regimen day in, day-out is a real time commitment. And when I have a breakout I have to treat my arms and legs with a topical medicine twice a day, which means waking up even earlier than my usual 6am for work, so that I can wait for the medicine to sink into my skin. At night, I have to get ready for bed even earlier for the same reasons.