What is Psoriasis?

The top layer of skin is much thicker in psoriasis. It gets this way because the normal growth cycle of skin cells has been accelerated to 3 or 4 days, compared to 28-30 days in normal skin. Skin cells accumulate at the surface. The white, flaky build-up that sheds from the skin is actually dead skin cells. The epidermis is about twice as thick as normal in psoriasis. The bottom level of the epidermis where cells multiply is particularly active (cells are proliferating 28 times faster than normal skin). The blood vessels of the skin expand in psoriasis. There is also increased blood flow in psoriatic skin, necessary to bring nutrients to the rapidly growing skin cells. This combination leads to the redness of the psoriasis lesions. The dermis is where the inflammation originates. Immune system cells are drawn into the dermis as part of the immune response that takes place in psoriasis and these cells send inflammatory signals to the skin cells.

Incidence

2% of the UK population suffer from psoriasis which is visibly apparent. 5% of the population have psoriasis which is detectable upon close inspection of the skin. Psoriasis is found in all races but is often more apparent in cultures exposed to less sun.

Age and Sex

It commonly occurs in men and women at any stage in their lives and affects males and females equally.  Psoriasis is not common in childhood and early teens and normally first presents in late teens and early adulthood.

Our Aims 

Our aim is to to use various cognitive techniques to change your beliefs regarding the psoriasis to remove  any unhelpful beliefs you may have regarding this skin condition to enable you to live the life you want to live.

Techniques Commonly used 

Hypnosis,Time Line Therapy and NLP .

We recommend an initial 2 hour session followed by 2-3 One hour sessions if necessary as our aim is to teach you many of the techniques to do on yourself .

Post Treatment

Regular use of a self hypnosis cd such as 'Stop Skin Problems'.....

We have a separate page dealing with eczema. For more information about how we can help with eczema.