Keratosis Pilaris: Remedies, Causes, and Signs

From rosacea to sunburn, most of us have discovered ourselves with a pores and skin situation sooner or later in our lives (and it isn’t all the time nice). Along with the well-known ones, there are quite a lot of different pores and skin circumstances which might be extra widespread than you suppose.

Take keratosis pilaris, for instance. It’s so prevalent that many medical doctors take into account it a pores and skin sort relatively than a situation. Though it’s innocent, many youngsters and adults who expertise the small, irritating bumps on their pores and skin are very happy to strive strategies to deal with their signs.

If you happen to’re affected by keratosis pilaris, there’s a light-weight on the finish of the tunnel. Whether or not it’s utilizing merchandise at dwelling or visiting a skincare clinic, there’s a number of keratosis pilaris remedies accessible. On this information, we cowl a number of the signs related to the situation, focus on what may very well be inflicting it, and supply some remedies for keratosis pilaris to ease your signs.

What Causes Keratosis Pilaris?

Keratosis pilaris is extra than simply tough pores and skin. This widespread pores and skin situation is attributable to a buildup of keratin, the protein that makes your hair, nails, and pores and skin. Dry pores and skin may also exacerbate this situation.

When an excessive amount of keratin sits on high of the hair follicle, it blocks the follicle’s opening, inflicting a bump above it. When a whole bunch of hair follicles turn into blocked by the keratin, keratosis pilaris can happen, which is how the situation earned its title. It’s additionally much like strawberry pores and skin, however keratosis pilaris is attributable to genetics.

What Are Signs of Keratosis Pilaris?

Step one to treating this situation is figuring out whether or not or not you have got it. The largest giveaway are small, raised discolored bumps in your pores and skin (to not be confused with strawberry pores and skin, which are sometimes darker in coloration) which might be generally discovered on the higher arms, legs, or in your (ahem) derriere.

If you happen to stated sure, that’s me to the above indicator, there are a few different signs to search for as properly, together with:

• Itchy pores and skin
• Dry pores and skin
• Tough pores and skin the place bumpy patches persist
• Noticeably worse bumps throughout colder or dryer months

Though you might have self-diagnosed your self with our guidelines, the easiest way to find out in case you have keratosis pilaris is by seeing a dermatologist, as different circumstances have comparable signs. A dermatologist can take a look at the bumps in your pores and skin and shortly decide whether or not or not you have got it.

At-Dwelling Keratosis Pilaris Remedies

Though at-home remedies gained’t fully eliminate the bumps in your pores and skin, they’ll deal with the signs and probably diminish their look. Under are some easy, but efficient therapy choices we’ve rustled up so that you can strive:

Moisturizers

Many dermatologists agree that dry pores and skin worsens the signs of keratosis pilaris. To keep away from it, discover a moisturizer to maintain your pores and skin hydrated all day lengthy. Listed below are some moisturizing tricks to take into account:

• Apply lotion a number of occasions every day, particularly to affected areas of your bumpy pores and skin.

• Put it on instantly after a bathe whereas your pores and skin remains to be damp. You’re extra prone to retain the surplus moisture.

Pores and skin Lotions

Contemplating there are many skincare merchandise out there, you’ll be able to slender your search by searching for lotions wealthy in Vitamin A. What Vitamin A does is enhance cell turnover and stop clogged hair follicles. Some vitamin A lotions embrace topical retinoid. (Observe: Earlier than utilizing any topical retinoid, ensure that to check a small portion in your pores and skin first earlier than committing to this therapy choice.) Except for vitamin A, you may as well search for skincare merchandise with lactic acid, alpha hydroxy acid, and salicylic acid.

Exfoliators

Exfoliation is the method to take away lifeless pores and skin from the physique. Since keratosis pilaris is attributable to a buildup of keratin, exfoliation could make an enormous distinction. Not solely will it really feel positively fantastic to eliminate the lifeless pores and skin in your physique (whats up, contemporary new tremendous comfortable pores and skin) however it may assist filter a number of the extra keratin buildup, which could additionally make your bumps much less noticeable.

If you happen to’re enthusiastic about physique exfoliation, listed below are a couple of completely different strategies:

• Dry brush
• Exfoliating physique scrub
• Chemical exfoliator

Our ExfoliKate® Resurfacing Physique Scrub is made with a mixture of pumice and lactic and salicylic acid to take away the tough exterior layer of pores and skin. This paves the best way for brand spanking new, contemporary cells to make their debut. After one week, 97% of customers stated it improved tough patches on their pores and skin.

Though you solely want it thrice per week, it’ll shortly turn into essentially the most enjoyable and satisfying a part of your bathe routine. So take a stand.

Light Skincare

Many individuals with keratosis pilaris be taught that the affected areas of their pores and skin are fairly delicate. If you happen to discover that that you’ve delicate pores and skin, listed below are a couple of normal suggestions you’ll be able to add to your each day routine to stop irritation:

• Maintain your bathe or temperature at a snug, heat degree and keep away from water that’s too sizzling.

• Use a humidifier to maintain the air (and due to this fact your pores and skin) hydrated.

• Take shorter showers—quarter-hour, tops—as they’ll dry out your pores and skin.

Say Whats up to Your Pores and skin’s New Favourite Deal with: Kate Somerville

Though keratosis pilaris often dissipates with time, why wait till then? At-home remedies can alleviate your signs and provide you with again the boldness to put on that new sleeveless high that’s been whispering your title each time you open the closet.

If you happen to’re able to take issues into your individual fingers, our Pores and skin Well being Specialists might help you jump-start your journey to smoother pores and skin.

Suds up, scrub off, and turn into one step nearer to the pores and skin you deserve.

Sources:

Cleveland Clinic. Keratosis Pilaris. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/well being/illnesses/17758-keratosis-pilaris

Mayo Clinic. Keratosis Pilaris. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/keratosis-pilaris/symptoms-causes/syc-20351149