Psoriasis is a common chronic autoimmune condition where the immune system mistakenly triggers an overproduction of skin cells, leading to thick, red, scaly patches called plaques. Public discussions by celebrities, particularly the Kardashian family, have amplified interest in managing this persistent skin disorder. While their openness helps normalize conversation, the methods they use often fall outside of standard medical protocols. This has created curiosity about which celebrity-endorsed approaches offer genuine therapeutic value.
The Specific Regimens Used by Kim Kardashian
Kim Kardashian has publicly detailed a variety of approaches used over the years for relief from her psoriasis symptoms. Her regimen includes a mix of medical treatments, alternative therapies, and lifestyle modifications.
One consistently reported strategy involves light therapy, which is an established medical treatment. She has endorsed specific at-home devices, such as the Clarify Medical Home Phototherapy System and the Baby Quasar MD Plus, which utilize light frequencies like Narrowband Ultraviolet B (UVB) and LED. Additionally, she uses topical cortisone ointment nightly, an anti-inflammatory treatment, and has discussed anecdotal methods like sleeping in plastic wrap to enhance product absorption.
Her approach also includes a significant focus on dietary and wellness changes. She has experimented with elimination diets, such as avoiding acidic foods like tomatoes and eggplants, and tried plant-based eating to suppress flare-ups. She has incorporated non-prescription products, including detox smoothies and seaweed-based skincare items. In more extreme instances, she has tried medical-grade cortisone injections and applying her sister’s breast milk to her skin.
Medical Evaluation of These Celebrity Methods
The specific methods promoted by celebrities must be examined through scientific evidence to determine their medical merit. Seaweed-based topical products, for instance, contain anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds, such as fucoidan. While these ingredients may offer a soothing, hydrating effect, rigorous clinical trials proving their efficacy as a primary treatment for psoriasis are generally lacking.
Elimination diets, like those that restrict nightshades or dairy, are sometimes used as a supportive strategy to reduce systemic inflammation. While some patients report that avoiding personal food triggers helps manage their symptoms, psoriasis is fundamentally an immune-mediated disorder, not a food-driven one. Medical guidance supports weight reduction for overweight patients and a gluten-free diet only for those with celiac disease, as blanket food group removal risks nutritional deficiencies.
The use of unproven remedies can create false hope, potentially delaying effective treatment. When new treatments are tested in clinical trials, only about 5.2% of patients receiving a placebo achieve a significant 75% improvement in disease severity (PASI75). This low rate suggests that substantive clearance requires an active, evidence-based therapy. A significant delay in starting systemic treatment for moderate-to-severe disease can lead to increased risk of related conditions like psoriatic arthritis.
Established Treatment Pathways for Psoriasis
Medical professionals rely on a tiered approach to treat psoriasis, beginning with topical agents for mild to moderate cases. First-line topical treatments include corticosteroids, which quickly reduce inflammation, and Vitamin D analogs, such as calcipotriene (calcipotriol). These Vitamin D derivatives work by inhibiting the rapid proliferation of skin cells and promoting their proper differentiation, effectively slowing down the disease process at the cellular level.
For patients with more widespread or difficult-to-treat psoriasis, phototherapy is often recommended. Narrowband Ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) is the most common form, which delivers a specific wavelength of light to the skin. This light suppresses the immune system’s activity in the skin, specifically targeting the hyperactive T-cells and inflammatory cytokines that drive plaque formation.
If topical and light therapies are insufficient, systemic treatments are introduced, which includes traditional oral medications and modern biologic agents. Biologics are injectable or infused drugs that target specific messenger proteins in the immune system, such as cytokines. These treatments fall into distinct classes, including TNF-alpha inhibitors, IL-17 inhibitors (like secukinumab), and IL-23 inhibitors (like risankizumab). Given the complexity of this condition, consulting a board-certified dermatologist remains the gold standard for developing a personalized, evidence-based treatment strategy.