But unlike plain old dry skin, reaching for a body scrub more often or switching your lotion to a body butter won't do the trick to get rid of your KP. These hard-to-treat bumps require a regimen all their own. Consider this your keratosis pilaris treatment plan.
First, what exactly is keratosis pilaris?
"Keratosis Pilaris is a common, harmless skin condition that presents as tiny white or red bumps on top of dry, rough skin," says Sunheel Chilukuri, MD, dermatologist and director of cosmetic surgery at Refresh Dermatology in Houston, TX.
Keratosis pilaris happens when your skin overproduces keratin (an important building-block protein in your bod). The keratin then plugs up hair follicles, causing tough little bumps that can look red and rough.
More than 3 million people per year in the United States are diagnosed with KP. It is very common but harmless.
The rough skin and bumps may sometimes itch.
So what is chicken skin?
It often has these types of nicknames like goosebumps or chicken skin due to the small bumps seen on the skin.
What can cause KP?
KP is inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion meaning that if one of your parents has this condition, there is a 50% chance you will have it. KP is caused by irregular keratinization within the follicles.
Dry climate, excessive perspiration, chronic exposure to water (i.e. swimming) exacerbate the condition
Where on the body is it most common?
It is most commonly found on the upper arms, upper thighs, cheeks and sometimes the buttocks. Young children and teenagers may have small red bumps on their cheeks that is often misdiagnosed as acne or rosacea.
What are the best Keratosis Pilaris treatments?
5. Eat plenty of omega-3s
Foods rich in omega-3s are essential for keeping skin moisturized and healthy. These include walnuts, flaxseeds, salmon , tuna, sardines, and soybeans. Leafy greens are also always good to get in for overall skin health and function, says Craig Austin , M.D., a New York City dermatologist.
Some foods can make matters worse though: Stay away from dairy products if youre prone to keratosis pilaris, since it can trigger inflammation (which can in turn trigger conditions like keratosis pilaris), Austin says.
4. Switch to fragrance-free products
In some cases, keratosis pilaris is caused or exacerbated by wearing fragranced body products like lotions, creams, and perfume sprays, using scented soaps and body washes, and by showering with hot water , says Austin. Make sure your body-care regimen is fragrance-free, and try to use the most lukewarm water possible for showers and baths. Also, keep bath time short (think: under seven minutes) so dehydration of skin is minimized.
3. Add keratolyic agents to your skin-care routine
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Say what? Allow a doctor to translate this one for you: Keratolyic agents help remove keratin-or the scales that are blocking the follicles, causing the bumps to form, says Austin. Products containing lactic acid, urea, and glycerin (like Amlactin Fragrance-Free Moisturizing Body Lotion ) all perform this function and can be applied daily to prevent and treat the condition. Best yet, theyre super-gentle, so this is a great option if you have sensitive skin that is easily irritated.
2. Use a good chemical exfoliant
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Chemical exfoliants that lift dead skin cells are your BFFs. Austin says salicylic acid (like what you'll find in the Cane + Austin Face & Body Retexture Scrub ) and glycolic acid (like Paulas Choice Resist Skin Revealing Body Lotion with 10 Percent AHA) are especially effective in working out those clogged follicles.
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For the thicker skin of your body (think: your arms and legs, not your face), Austin recommends a concentration of 10 percent glycolic acid or more to see visible results quickly. Just bear this in mind: You need to be consistent with daily application to chase the bumps away and maintain results, he adds.
1. Go for a prescription retinoid
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Prescription retinoid like Retin-A is a go-to treatment for acne . But Austin says that the vitamin A derivatives exfoliating powers also allow younger skin to come up faster, so those chicken skin bumps flatten out. Just remember that the final result takes patience; you must be on a retinoid for several weeks before youre in the clear-but once you are, its smooth sailing.
If you're not quite ready for a 'scrip, you can also try an OTC retinol cream (like Differin Gel ) for treating your KP. It might not be quite as strong as what you can get from a derm, but you should still see results after a few weeks.