Cyndi's Story:
Cyndy Lauper is a singer, songwriter, actress and activist.
Her career has spanned over 30 years. Her 1983 debut solo album, She's So Unusual, was the first debut female album to chart four top-five hits on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned her the Best New Artist award at the 27th Grammy Awards® in 1985.
In 2013,she won the Tony Award® for Best Original Score for the Broadway musical Kinky Boots, making her the first woman in history to win the composing category by herself.
Since then she has become an author & screen writer and been a spokes person for too many causes to list her so we have added her bio link below for you to find out more.
Today she shares her story about something she kept hidden when possible. Her battle with Psoriasis.
After my diagnosis in 2010, I worked with a physician and sought home remedies to control my psoriasis. While some therapies worked temporarily, my psoriasis would come back, leading to frustration and a sense of hopelessness. After learning more about this condition and talking to others, I wanted to share my story and help those affected by psoriasis.
My psoriasis made me want to hide, but being in the public eye I knew I couldn't stay inside. During performances I have skin-colored fishnets that I wear to cover the redness and spots or I would wear long sleeves, leather pants. I also use makeup to cover my skin. When I would sweat, because I don't stand still and sing, it would make the psoriasis even worse.
I am usually a very vocal and open person, but I think sharing your psoriasis story is very personal and takes a lot of courage. Raising awareness and educating others is critical. It is very easy to feel isolated. Though I'm ready, I want people living with the condition to understand that we don't have to be embarrassed, we don't have to cover up and we don't have to settle for life the way it is."
I was on tour when psoriasis first flared on my scalp. I'd just dyed my hair and initially thought the sores on my head were some type of bug. A doctor confirmed it was scalp psoriasis.
For a while, a shampoo kept it under control, but when I scratched near my ear, there would be flakes.
My poor stylist, I remember, she got me this shirt with spots all over it so you couldn't tell.
My psoriasis changed into what I thought was a rash, but then it started to spread. At one point, it felt like psoriasis began to grow over her entire body. When it got really bad, I would just lay in bed.
I had to work. I was about the go on tour with Cher for the Kinky Boots' build-up. It was really difficult because you are very sick and you're trying to work. And yet, everything you are wearing now is a turtleneck.
Inflammation covered my arms, legs and stomach. I had to use makeup to cover areas, especially after an outfit that had been picked out for my Broadway musical Kinky Boots and I'd have a flare. "And of course they say, 'Don't wear tight clothes!' And I'm like, 'Yeah, right! I'm going to go out in a paper bag?' "
I was willing to try just about anything for my psoriasis and looked at alternative measures. I started to do coffee enemas on tour. I'd cook the coffee, clean the pot and have to take the coffee in a hotel room. I did this every day and my skin got a tiny bit better, but I lost my voice.
I now takes a treatment that affects my immune system and has to be more regimented about it, but I can dance and do her yoga again.
I'm not talking about it because I feel sorry for myself. I'm talking about it because no one talks about it. I didn't understand until I met people from the National Psoriasis Foundation and they brought two other people who had suffered their whole life with it. And whatthey told me was really kind of moving, that nobody really talks about it and a lot of times you feel alone. I know I felt alone…"
It affects 7.5 million people, right? (Cont'd at right)
And I happen to be one of them. And I'm not looking to do anything but tell people to take care of yourself. Because I was lying in bed, and I felt like it was swallowing me up.
Cyndi now uses COSENTYX Find out more
Interview on HLN -Cyndi's work has Influenced Women/World
AND NOW for Some Fun Ladies...
Helping others has always been a guiding force for Cyndi and she focuses her efforts to make a difference through the True Colors Fund.
An American organization working to end homelessness among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth, creating a world where all young people can be their true selves.
Compiled by Founder Carolyn Shannon
Photos by Richard Avedon &