Treat Keratosis Pilaris
You may not have heard the term keratosis pilaris, but you are probably familiar with what it looks like.
Keratosis pilaris is the medical name given to the rough, dry bumpy skin that can appear on a persons’ upper arms, thighs, and bottom (not to be confused with cellulite). It is a common skin condition that, while not being painful or harmful to health in any way, can be frustrating for sufferers on a purely aesthetic level.
Keratosis pilaris is not contagious. These small bumps are essentially permanent goose pimples that remain visible all the time. The bumps can be red-dish but mostly they are flash-colored. The bumpy area may be itchy and it can fade and increase in summer and winter.
The condition can be found in any age group. Though keratosis pilaris can start to fade away when a person reaches their thirties, this still remains a problem for any younger sufferers who are struggling with the visual effect that the bumps are having on their bodies.
The condition is caused by a buildup of excess keratin underneath the skin. Keratin is the protein that protects our external organs and essentially makes them waterproof. When too much keratin is present, it begins to plug up the small hair follicles on the surface, and that leads to the occurrence of a noticeable bump.
While the exact trigger or cause of this excess is unknown, keratosis is not contagious, but rather something that is likely to appear for people with eczema and dry skin. A few studies claiming a genetic connection have also been established.
If you are someone who suffers from keratosis pilaris and wants to do everything that you can in order to fight the condition, then a good place to start is by following this handy tip list for keeping the bumps at bay.
- Don’t scratch, rub or pick at the bumps. It might remove some kind of cell mass in the immediate but will more likely lead to unsightly marks being left behind that make the keratosis look even more prominent.
- Mix up the temperature of your shower. Long, hot showers can often lead to much drier skin, so take the plunge and have a cold shower every now and then to keep things different for your skin. The cold water will help to retain some of your natural oils.
- Avoid heavily-perfumed products and choose milder forms of bathing products and gently scrub your skin with a washcloth or exfoliating mitt.
- Pat your skin dry rather than rubbing it after washing. Make sure that you exfoliate the affected areas thoroughly.
- Don’t be tempted to use a harsh exfoliant because that will only serve to irritate the bumps. Instead, something gentler that can work overtime is much more recommended.
- Remember to moisturize the bumpy areas very generously. The drier your skin is, the more likely it is to develop keratosis, so make sure to keep the patches topped up with a product that contains ingredients that aren’t going to further clot the follicles.
Here are some of the products that we think are best for combatting the appearance of keratosis pilaris.
Dermadoctor KP Duty Dermatologist Formulated Body Scrub 237mL, a formulated body scrub exfoliant that helps improve the appearance of dry, rough, bumpy skin concerns and keratosis pilaris for an incredibly soft and healthy skin.
ZO Enzymatic Peel 50mL, an at-home peel formulated with alpha hydroxy acids and glycolic acid to create a softer, brighter skin. Can work to reduce the effects of Keratosis, hyperpigmentation and sun damage.
Dermadoctor KP Duty Moisturizing Lotion 120mL, a patented blend of glycolic acid, green tea extract and urea that helps to exfoliate, calm and hydrate dry or environmentally challenged skin. Helps the skin feel smoother, softer, silky and suppler.