Psoriasisaffects people of all ages. If you have psoriasis, you can expect to experience changes in the way it affects your skin, scalp, and overall health as you get older. This means you’ll likely need to adjust and adapt to how you manage the condition.
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Skin and Hair Care
Over time, skin naturally loses elasticity, becomes thinner and dryer, and develops wrinkles and other signs of aging. Although genetics plays a role in how skin changes over time, ultraviolet sun exposure plays an even bigger role.
Psoriasis flares of sun-damaged skin can be challenging to treat. If you have psoriasis, wearing sunscreen daily and taking other measures to protect your skin from sun damage throughout your life will protect your skin from psoriasis flares later in life.
Smoking speeds the rate of skin aging. If you have psoriasis and smoke,kicking the habitmay help delay skin damage as well as lower your risk of lung cancer and other complications of tobacco use.
As people get older, the hair and scalp can get dryer, and many people don’t need to wash their hair as often. Washing hair more frequently can help withpsoriasis. Using conditioner when you wash your hair and limiting the use of heating styling tools (hair dryers, curling irons, and such) may be helpful.
Overall Health
Psoriasis is linked with an increased risk of serious health conditions that are common with age.Among the comorbidities associated with psoriasis are heart disease, metabolic syndrome, osteoporosis, psoriatic arthritis, and depression.
Heart Disease
There is growing evidence linking psoriasis to an increased risk ofheart disease.In addition, psoriasis may be associated with other heart disease risk factors, such ashigh blood pressure.
Psoriasis on its own is not as strong of a risk factor for heart disease as family history and smoking are.
But it isn’t psoriasis thatcausesthese issues—the same inflammatory process that contributes to psoriasis also contributes to other diseases.
Psoriasis and Inflammation
This means that if you’ve been diagnosed with psoriasis, you need to make sure you’re getting screenings for heart disease—even if your skin condition is getting better as you get older.
Metabolic Syndrome
A 2018 review in the journalClinical Dermatologyrevealed a strong link between psoriasis andmetabolic syndrome,a cluster of disorders that are more common with age. They include high blood pressure,high cholesterol, hypertension, being overweight, andinsulin resistance.
According to the review, between 20% and 50% of people with psoriasis have metabolic syndrome. The risk of metabolic syndrome in people with psoriasis is twice that of those who do not have the skin condition and is more common in people who have severe psoriasis than in those whose disorder is mild.
Osteoporosis
A study in 2019 in theIndian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprologyfound a connection betweenpsoriatic disease(psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis) andlow bone mineral density. Low bone mineral density can lead to bone loss andosteoporosiswith age.
Reducing therisk for osteoporosis(whether you have psoriasis or not) involves including adequate calcium and vitamin D in your diet and regularly doing weight-bearing activities.
Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis(PsA) is an inflammatory condition that affects up to 30% of people with psoriasis, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation.PsA causes joint pain and stiffness and is often diagnosed in people ages 30 to 50, although it can affect anyone of any age.
Little is known about how to prevent PsA according to a 2019 medical review in the journalNature Reviews Rheumatology.Some experts suggest that managing your psoriasis diligently may help reduce the risk of PsA.
If you have concerns about the progression of psoriasis and your risk for PsA, talk to your healthcare provider about your outlook and how to best manage psoriasis symptoms and flare-ups.
Depression
Depression is a common, but not normal, part of aging, with or without psoriasis.Psoriasis is strongly connected to depression and research shows that people with psoriasis are at risk for major depression.
Depression is treatable and there are many effective treatments available. Share your concerns with your healthcare provider if you experience anysigns of depression.
Common signs of depression include persistent sadness, feeling hopeless or worthless, loss of interest in favorite activities, concentration and sleep troubles, irritability, and thoughts of death and/or suicide.
Comorbidities in Psoriasis
Menopause
The severity of psoriasis can fluctuate with hormonal changes. The onset of psoriasis sometimes occurs during puberty or in response to decreasing levels ofestrogen, duringmenopause.It’s believed this may occur as a result of associated inflammation, which is the driving force in psoriasis.
Menopause can also cause dry skin,reduce collagen production(a cause of thinner skin), and decrease skin elasticity.Talk to your healthcare provider about changes that are affecting your skin—you might need a temporary adjustment to your skin care routine.
Caring for Aging Skin
As you get older, there are many simple measures you can take to preserve the appearance of your skin and help prevent flares of psoriasis.
If you have scales on your scalp or other places of your body, use skin care products containing salicylic acid., which can gently exfoliate skin and remove scales from psoriasis plaques.
A Word From Verywell
Serious exacerbations of psoriasis or other complications of the condition are not inevitable as you get older, as long as you work closely with your healthcare provider to manage the condition. Be mindful of the role that stress can play in flares. All kinds of life events can take an emotional toll—from the birth of a grandchild to the death of a loved one. To the degree it’s possible, anticipate the impact of such events and have strategies in place for dealing with them. Consider making stress-reducing practices like yoga or meditation a part of your regular daily routine.
10 Common Triggers of Psoriasis Flares
14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute on Aging.Skin care and Aging.Farage MA, Miller KW, Elsner P, Maibach HI.Characteristics of the aging skin.Adv Wound Care (New Rochelle). 2013;2(1):5-10. doi:10.1089/wound.2011.0356Oliveira Mde F, Rocha Bde O, Duarte GV.Psoriasis: Classical and emerging comorbidities.An Bras Dermatol. 2015;90(1):9-20. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20153038Jindal S, Jindal N.Psoriasis and cardiovascular diseases: A literature review to determine the causal relationship.Cureus. Feb 15 2018;10(2):e2195. doi:10.7759/cureus.2195Gisondi P, Fostini AC, Fossà I, et al.Psoriasis and the metabolic syndrome.Clin Dermatol. 2018 Jan-Feb;36(1):21-28. doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2017.09.005Martinez-Lopez A, Blasco-Morente G, Giron-Prieto MS, et. al.Linking of psoriasis with osteopenia and osteoporosis: A cross-sectional study.Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2019 Mar-Apr;85(2):153-159. doi:10.4103/ijdvl.IJDVL_831_17National Psoriasis Foundation.Psoriasis statistics.Scher JU, Ogdie A, Merola JF, et al.Preventing psoriatic arthritis: Focusing on patients with psoriasis at increased risk of transition.Nat Rev Rheumatol. 2019 Mar;15(3):153-166. doi:10.1038/s41584-019-0175-0National Institute on Aging.Depression and older adults.Cohen BE, Martires KJ, Ho RS.Psoriasis and the risk of depression in the US population: National health and nutrition examination survey.JAMA Dermatol. 2016;152(1):73-79. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2015.3605Ceovic R, Mance M, Bukvic Mokos Z, et al.Psoriasis: female skin changes in various hormonal stages throughout life—puberty, pregnancy, and menopause.Biomed Res Int. 2013;2013:571912. doi:10.1155/2013/571912Reus TL, Brohem CA, Schuck DC, et al.Revisiting the effects of menopause on the skin: Functional changes, clinical studies, in vitro models and therapeutic alternatives. Mech Ageing Dev. 2020 Jan;185:111193. doi: 10.1016/j.mad.2019.111193Ji YZ, Liu SR.Koebner phenomenon leading to the formation of new psoriatic lesions: Evidences and mechanisms.Biosci Rep. 2019;39(12):BSR20193266. doi:10.1042/BSR20193266De Benedetto A, Kubo A, Beck LA.Skin barrier disruption: a requirement for allergen sensitization?J Invest Dermatol. 2012;132(3 Pt 2):949-963. doi:10.1038/jid.2011.435
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute on Aging.Skin care and Aging.Farage MA, Miller KW, Elsner P, Maibach HI.Characteristics of the aging skin.Adv Wound Care (New Rochelle). 2013;2(1):5-10. doi:10.1089/wound.2011.0356Oliveira Mde F, Rocha Bde O, Duarte GV.Psoriasis: Classical and emerging comorbidities.An Bras Dermatol. 2015;90(1):9-20. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20153038Jindal S, Jindal N.Psoriasis and cardiovascular diseases: A literature review to determine the causal relationship.Cureus. Feb 15 2018;10(2):e2195. doi:10.7759/cureus.2195Gisondi P, Fostini AC, Fossà I, et al.Psoriasis and the metabolic syndrome.Clin Dermatol. 2018 Jan-Feb;36(1):21-28. doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2017.09.005Martinez-Lopez A, Blasco-Morente G, Giron-Prieto MS, et. al.Linking of psoriasis with osteopenia and osteoporosis: A cross-sectional study.Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2019 Mar-Apr;85(2):153-159. doi:10.4103/ijdvl.IJDVL_831_17National Psoriasis Foundation.Psoriasis statistics.Scher JU, Ogdie A, Merola JF, et al.Preventing psoriatic arthritis: Focusing on patients with psoriasis at increased risk of transition.Nat Rev Rheumatol. 2019 Mar;15(3):153-166. doi:10.1038/s41584-019-0175-0National Institute on Aging.Depression and older adults.Cohen BE, Martires KJ, Ho RS.Psoriasis and the risk of depression in the US population: National health and nutrition examination survey.JAMA Dermatol. 2016;152(1):73-79. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2015.3605Ceovic R, Mance M, Bukvic Mokos Z, et al.Psoriasis: female skin changes in various hormonal stages throughout life—puberty, pregnancy, and menopause.Biomed Res Int. 2013;2013:571912. doi:10.1155/2013/571912Reus TL, Brohem CA, Schuck DC, et al.Revisiting the effects of menopause on the skin: Functional changes, clinical studies, in vitro models and therapeutic alternatives. Mech Ageing Dev. 2020 Jan;185:111193. doi: 10.1016/j.mad.2019.111193Ji YZ, Liu SR.Koebner phenomenon leading to the formation of new psoriatic lesions: Evidences and mechanisms.Biosci Rep. 2019;39(12):BSR20193266. doi:10.1042/BSR20193266De Benedetto A, Kubo A, Beck LA.Skin barrier disruption: a requirement for allergen sensitization?J Invest Dermatol. 2012;132(3 Pt 2):949-963. doi:10.1038/jid.2011.435
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institute on Aging.Skin care and Aging.Farage MA, Miller KW, Elsner P, Maibach HI.Characteristics of the aging skin.Adv Wound Care (New Rochelle). 2013;2(1):5-10. doi:10.1089/wound.2011.0356Oliveira Mde F, Rocha Bde O, Duarte GV.Psoriasis: Classical and emerging comorbidities.An Bras Dermatol. 2015;90(1):9-20. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20153038Jindal S, Jindal N.Psoriasis and cardiovascular diseases: A literature review to determine the causal relationship.Cureus. Feb 15 2018;10(2):e2195. doi:10.7759/cureus.2195Gisondi P, Fostini AC, Fossà I, et al.Psoriasis and the metabolic syndrome.Clin Dermatol. 2018 Jan-Feb;36(1):21-28. doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2017.09.005Martinez-Lopez A, Blasco-Morente G, Giron-Prieto MS, et. al.Linking of psoriasis with osteopenia and osteoporosis: A cross-sectional study.Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2019 Mar-Apr;85(2):153-159. doi:10.4103/ijdvl.IJDVL_831_17National Psoriasis Foundation.Psoriasis statistics.Scher JU, Ogdie A, Merola JF, et al.Preventing psoriatic arthritis: Focusing on patients with psoriasis at increased risk of transition.Nat Rev Rheumatol. 2019 Mar;15(3):153-166. doi:10.1038/s41584-019-0175-0National Institute on Aging.Depression and older adults.Cohen BE, Martires KJ, Ho RS.Psoriasis and the risk of depression in the US population: National health and nutrition examination survey.JAMA Dermatol. 2016;152(1):73-79. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2015.3605Ceovic R, Mance M, Bukvic Mokos Z, et al.Psoriasis: female skin changes in various hormonal stages throughout life—puberty, pregnancy, and menopause.Biomed Res Int. 2013;2013:571912. doi:10.1155/2013/571912Reus TL, Brohem CA, Schuck DC, et al.Revisiting the effects of menopause on the skin: Functional changes, clinical studies, in vitro models and therapeutic alternatives. Mech Ageing Dev. 2020 Jan;185:111193. doi: 10.1016/j.mad.2019.111193Ji YZ, Liu SR.Koebner phenomenon leading to the formation of new psoriatic lesions: Evidences and mechanisms.Biosci Rep. 2019;39(12):BSR20193266. doi:10.1042/BSR20193266De Benedetto A, Kubo A, Beck LA.Skin barrier disruption: a requirement for allergen sensitization?J Invest Dermatol. 2012;132(3 Pt 2):949-963. doi:10.1038/jid.2011.435
National Institute on Aging.Skin care and Aging.
Farage MA, Miller KW, Elsner P, Maibach HI.Characteristics of the aging skin.Adv Wound Care (New Rochelle). 2013;2(1):5-10. doi:10.1089/wound.2011.0356
Oliveira Mde F, Rocha Bde O, Duarte GV.Psoriasis: Classical and emerging comorbidities.An Bras Dermatol. 2015;90(1):9-20. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20153038
Jindal S, Jindal N.Psoriasis and cardiovascular diseases: A literature review to determine the causal relationship.Cureus. Feb 15 2018;10(2):e2195. doi:10.7759/cureus.2195
Gisondi P, Fostini AC, Fossà I, et al.Psoriasis and the metabolic syndrome.Clin Dermatol. 2018 Jan-Feb;36(1):21-28. doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2017.09.005
Martinez-Lopez A, Blasco-Morente G, Giron-Prieto MS, et. al.Linking of psoriasis with osteopenia and osteoporosis: A cross-sectional study.Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2019 Mar-Apr;85(2):153-159. doi:10.4103/ijdvl.IJDVL_831_17
National Psoriasis Foundation.Psoriasis statistics.
Scher JU, Ogdie A, Merola JF, et al.Preventing psoriatic arthritis: Focusing on patients with psoriasis at increased risk of transition.Nat Rev Rheumatol. 2019 Mar;15(3):153-166. doi:10.1038/s41584-019-0175-0
National Institute on Aging.Depression and older adults.
Cohen BE, Martires KJ, Ho RS.Psoriasis and the risk of depression in the US population: National health and nutrition examination survey.JAMA Dermatol. 2016;152(1):73-79. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2015.3605
Ceovic R, Mance M, Bukvic Mokos Z, et al.Psoriasis: female skin changes in various hormonal stages throughout life—puberty, pregnancy, and menopause.Biomed Res Int. 2013;2013:571912. doi:10.1155/2013/571912
Reus TL, Brohem CA, Schuck DC, et al.Revisiting the effects of menopause on the skin: Functional changes, clinical studies, in vitro models and therapeutic alternatives. Mech Ageing Dev. 2020 Jan;185:111193. doi: 10.1016/j.mad.2019.111193
Ji YZ, Liu SR.Koebner phenomenon leading to the formation of new psoriatic lesions: Evidences and mechanisms.Biosci Rep. 2019;39(12):BSR20193266. doi:10.1042/BSR20193266
De Benedetto A, Kubo A, Beck LA.Skin barrier disruption: a requirement for allergen sensitization?J Invest Dermatol. 2012;132(3 Pt 2):949-963. doi:10.1038/jid.2011.435
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