DAQUANE CHERRY WAS still in elementary school when he started finding dry, scaly patches on his scalp. It wasn’t until middle school that the N.Y.C.-based artist discovered his issue was much more than typical dandruff. He had psoriasis, an autoimmune condition that produces red, raised, often itchy skin. It affects more than 8 million Americans. Cherry tried several medications and lifestyle changes until he landed on a strategy that worked. Now, he’s showing off his skin—he’s even teamed up with AbbVie for their Clearly Me exhibit, which aims to raise awareness about psoriatic disease through dynamic stories and authentic photography of real patients, showcasing their authentic selves beyond their skin condition. Here’s how the now-26-year-old finally found comfort in his own skin.
Get Outside
Cherry sees significant improvement in the health of his skin when he consistently spends time outdoors. Sunlight helps you produce vitamin D, says Corey L. Hartman, M.D., a dermatologist and MH advisor. “Low vitamin D levels are correlated with severity of psoriasis symptoms.” Hartman recommends getting 10 to 15 minutes of no-sunscreen sunlight a day to help with symptoms.
Think Seasonally About Skin Care
Your symptoms can change with the seasons, so you need to shift what you do about them. Cherry says that the moisturizers and cleansers that work in one season don’t holdup in the next. Hartman advises using serums, lotions, and light oils to stay more comfortable in the summer. In the winter, you’ll want creams and ointments to manage dryness.
Practice Self Care
Even with medication, Cherry doesn’t feel his psoriasis will ever be totally under control—and adds that stress can trigger worse flare-ups. “It’s just forever a battle of trying to find a solution of relaxation,” he says. His go-tos: getting massages and getting his hair done. Hartman says the power of stress reduction is real when paired with the right medication.
The Good News About Psoriasis
THE FDA HAS approved 13 different “biologic” drugs—those that act on your immune system—for the treatment psoriasis so far. Yes, 13 is a lot, but a doc can guide you on these and other treatments based on your lifestyle and how your psoriasis manifests.
A version of this story appeared in the May/June 2024 issue of Men’s Health.
