Growing Out My Leg Hair For Winter

If you are no stranger to psoriasis you will know that the weather is a well known trigger for a flare up. Different weather affects people differently. For me, it is winter, which I find so frustrating, because it is my favorite season. I love the cooler weather, warm drinks and all of the great things that come with winter, other than psoriasis flares that is. My winter flares are deeply challenging on so many levels. The pain and itchiness is quite ridiculous and this takes a toll on my mental health and emotional well being. Sleeping is an issue more than usual, as I have existing insomnia spells.

That being said, I am always looking for ways to manage my psoriasis, to give you an idea. I have plaque and guttate psoriasis, it affects my whole body, other than under my hands and feet. This makes it deeply difficult to find ways that help manage the flares every winter. This last winter I have taken a different approach and will certainly be doing this again this winter. While we know there is no cure. We are always looking for ways to manage the symptoms and even if I get one more under control, it contributes to my overall wellbeing.

No shave winter

Last winter, I decided that shaving was simply a no go for me. I find that despite using shavers and all sorts of tips and tricks, shaving is the worse things for my psoriasis. So I stopped. The first few weeks was challenging. As the leg hairs grow they are prickly and uncomfortable. They make my skin itch and if I am in active flare, this is not even an option for me. So before the winter came, I stopped shaving.

By the time my first psoriasis spots started showing up, the hairs on my legs specifically had started getting soft and not at irritating as what it was while growing out. This was the first thing I did right, thank goodness. Getting used to having fluffy legs during the winter as someone who usually shaves regularly is a whole new experience. Social norms and habits make me want to reach for the electric razor within a few days. Once I had stuck it out past that annoying stabby stage of hair growth. It gets better.

The benefits

The flare on my legs was reduced by at least 30% this last winter, and that has made a massive difference. I had much less itching, and much less pain, while still have a flare, it was certainly less that the precious year. The plaque psoriasis was much less, while the guttate was there and spread over legs, with concentration around the knee areas.

The guttate was not as angry and sore all winter like it usually is, which is a massive benefit for me. Add some loose fitting pants that do not chaff against your skin and winter is almost manageable. But every little bit that is easier, helps.

Stick to the routine

I do make a point to my usual routines, bath soaks and moisturizer. I dare not ignore what I know must be done, my psoriasis goes absolutely bonkers if I do not give it the required attention. Dry legs get crazy itchy over psoriasis spots and I do what I can to avoid this. This is not a new habit though so that would not be affecting my skin, just keeping the maintenance up. This is one of the ways I know that the not-shaving is helping. More often that not it is important for me to change things one at a time.

Have you ever given up shaving? Has it be helpful for you?