Psoriasis & Hyperpigmentation: Kim Kardashian's Skin Positivity Journey
When we think of the Kardashians, filters, airbrushing, and picture-perfect makeup (I mean, they literally own multiple makeup brands!) instantly spring to mind. The family we all love to watch as they embark on their rollercoaster business, domestic, and love-lives are not exactly known for being transparent about the less glamorous side of their existence. After all, when you live your whole life in front of a camera, you want your fans to constantly see the best version of yourself.
Nonetheless, Kim Kardashian recently demonstrated that sometimes, being the best version of ourselves means being candid about our struggles and insecurities. Yes, you read that right.
Kim Kardashian showed in a raw, make-up free video, her real skin texture and appearance.
One of the main platforms used by the Kardashians is social media, most prominently Instagram. Now social media can be a place where we can go to feel inspired, and make connections and discoveries that improve our wellbeing. However, it can also be a place where inundations of filtered, flawless celebrities and influencers can get us feeling pretty down about ourselves in comparison, whether these images are photoshopped or not. Despite all we know about real skin, sometimes one can’t help but marvel at how these beautiful people on Instagram don’t appear to have a single blemish – sometimes, it doesn’t even look like they have pores!
As we continue to engage in conversations around authenticity however, more and more public figures are choosing to avoid filters and photoshop, including, in this refreshing turn of events, Kim Kardashian herself. In a series of stories and videos in which the entrepreneur and television personality shared her morning routine with her 301 MILLION followers, she showcased a makeup-free face, revealing her pores and hyperpigmentation.
What is hyperpigmentation?
In simple terms, this is when an increased production of melanin in the body causes patches of your skin to darken visibly. These areas can be small, large, or can envelope the entire body. In most cases, this is a harmless thing that naturally happens when the skin is increasingly exposed to the sun. Other possible causes can include certain medication and pregnancy.
So, was this candidness just a one-off?
Though not exactly known for showing her more raw side, this is not the first time that Kim has been open about the condition of her skin. Writing in sister Kourtney’s wellness blog Poosh, Kim discussed her journey with psoriasis, a condition that causes patches of the skin to dry and flake.
Opening up about her experience with the condition, she wrote “Even though I always grew up with my mom having psoriasis and hearing her talk about her struggle, I really had no idea what my life would be like dealing with an autoimmune disease myself.”
“Getting UV rays directly on the spots really helped my mom. For me, however, that remedy would burn the areas and cause them to itch, so I always felt helpless. I am the only child my mom passed down her autoimmune issue to. Lucky me, lol.
When I was 25, I had my first psoriasis flare-up. I got a common cold, and since psoriasis is an autoimmune condition, this triggered it. It was all over my stomach and legs.”
Kim also expanded on how, in spite of the discomfort the condition causes her, she has learned to live with flare-ups, and not get down about the appearance of her skin.
“For the past eight years, although the spots are unpredictable, I can always count on my main spot on my right lower leg, which consistently stays flared up. I have learned to live with this spot without using any creams or medication—I just deal. Sometimes I cover it up and sometimes I don’t. It doesn’t really bother me.”
Nevertheless, it hasn’t all been sunshine and rainbows, with the popular celebrity sharing recollections of times where the condition made her skin painful. “I was freaking out—I couldn’t even pick up a toothbrush, my hands hurt so badly.”
The article ends with an uplifting and downright inspiring message about how, although her journey with psoriasis has been a long one, with many ups and downs, she doesn’t allow it to stop her from living her best life. She also encourages others with the condition to share this mindset.
“I’ve become extremely comfortable with my psoriasis. No matter where it is on my body, sometimes I am fine with showing it off and other times I don’t want it to be a distraction, so I cover it up with body makeup.
If you have psoriasis, you can’t let it ruin your life or get the best of you. You have to do what you can to make sure you are comfortable but not let it take over.
I live a healthy life and try to eat as plant based as possible and drink sea moss smoothies. With all the stress in life, I try to make sure I take time for myself so that I am centred and keep my stress to a minimum.
I hope my story can help anyone else with an autoimmune disease feel confident that there is light at the end of the tunnel.”
Let’s just take a moment to applaud this encouragingly raw and honest post about something that so many people struggle with, yet is rarely talked about in mainstream conversations around skin positivity. With people as high profile as the Kardashians preaching psoriasis-inclusive skin positivity, hopefully more people living with the condition can learn to overcome any insecurities around their skin, and embrace their natural wonderful selves!