{"id":34809,"date":"2023-03-29T04:15:11","date_gmt":"2023-03-29T04:15:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/?p=34809"},"modified":"2023-03-29T23:55:24","modified_gmt":"2023-03-29T23:55:24","slug":"how-to-get-rid-of-keratosis-pilaris","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/how-to-get-rid-of-keratosis-pilaris\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Effective Ways to Get Rid of Keratosis Pilaris, aka “Chicken Skin”"},"content":{"rendered":"

Have red bumps on your arms, legs, or butt? Learn how to get rid of keratosis pilaris (KP), according to a dermatologist and an aesthetician. Plus: if it’s actually possible to treat KP for good.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

Now that spring is officially in gear, you may be rotating your wardrobe and unearthing your shorts, skirts, and short-sleeved shirts from hibernation. Yet if you struggle with keratosis pilaris (KP), you might be a little less enthusiastic to don these warm-weather staples.<\/p>\n\n\n

There\u2019s nothing inherently wrong with these red bumps on your body. If you have them and they don\u2019t bother you, that\u2019s great. But if you\u2019re on a mission to get rid of keratosis pilaris to feel more comfortable and confident in your skin, you\u2019ll want to keep reading. Ahead, you\u2019ll discover the best KP tips and treatments, vetted by experts.<\/p>\n\n\n

What Is Keratosis Pilaris?<\/h2>\n\n\n

\u201cKeratosis pilaris is a common skin condition characterized by bumps that are red and inflamed, typically on the backs of the arms and thighs,\u201d explains Kerry Benjamin<\/a>, aesthetician and founder of StackedSkincare<\/a>. Due to its appearance, KP is often referred to as \u201cchicken skin\u201d or \u201cstrawberry skin.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

\u201cI think of keratosis pilaris as a mix between eczema and acne: It’s dry like eczema but bumpy like acne,\u201d shares Kseniya Kobets, MD<\/a>, director of cosmetic dermatology at Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care<\/a> in New York. While it isn\u2019t necessarily attractive, rest<\/a> assured that it\u2019s harmless. It neither causes adverse effects for your health nor warrants medical attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Keratosis<\/figure>\n\n\n

What Causes Keratosis Pilaris?<\/h2>\n\n\n

\u201cKP is a keratinization disorder that leaves extra keratin (dead skin) in the pore,\u201d Dr. Kobets continues. A buildup of keratin will ultimately yield the red bumps indicative of KP.<\/p>\n\n\n

Benjamin adds that KP is primarily caused by genetics, age, and hormones. \u201cAs we age, our bodies produce less sebum, which helps keep our skin moisturized and supple,\u201d she explains. \u201cWithout this moisture in the outer layer of our skin, keratin can build up easily and clog pores. This blockage creates dry, scaly bumps that may look red, inflamed, and unsightly, but generally aren’t uncomfortable.\u201d (That said, even children are susceptible to it. According to the National Library of Medicine, KP typically appears in childhood<\/a> and becomes most extensive during the second decade of life.)<\/p>\n\n\n

Research shows that atopic dermatitis (the most common form of eczema) is often linked to KP<\/a>, and both experts concur that people with dry skin tend to be affected. However, it can develop across any and all skin types and tones. \u201cThe keratin plugs can appear darker in melanin-rich skin, or after picking or aggressive exfoliation of the skin,\u201d Dr. Kobets adds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How to Get Rid of Keratosis Pilaris<\/h2>\n\n\n

Now, for the million-dollar question: Will keratosis pilaris ever go away for good? Unfortunately, Dr. Kobets says that it\u2019s unlikely to clear KP completely. \u201cJust like eczema or acne, we usually cannot \u2018cure\u2019 KP, but can use treatments to improve symptoms and keep them under control,” she explains,<\/p>\n\n\n

To aid your quest to win the battle against the bumps and help treat KP, heed the experts\u2019 top tips below.<\/p>\n\n\n

1. Use a Physical Exfoliator (with Caution)<\/h3>\n\n\n

\u201cIn my experience, physical exfoliation is the most immediately rewarding treatment as it immediately smooths out the bumps,\u201d Dr. Kobets shares. However, there are several caveats for this tip. She warns that physical exfoliants can be pretty rough, so they’re not ideal for those with reactive or sensitive skin. The dermatologist also advises using a physical scrub only up to twice a month, or as tolerated.<\/p>\n\n\n

Moreover, Benjamin is less enthusiastic about physical exfoliants when it comes to treating KP. \u201cWhile it may be tempting to buff away all those little bumps, [I advise against] using body scrubs and exfoliating mitts, which will irritate the skin further,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n

Both points considered, if you do<\/em> choose to proceed with a physical exfoliant, go slow and steady.<\/p>\n\n\n

2. Apply an Exfoliating Chemical Peel<\/h3>\n\n\n

According to Benjamin, chemical exfoliants are more ideal to get rid of keratosis pilaris without aggravating your skin. \u201cThe key to eliminating KP is to soften and remove the excess keratin that\u2019s causing the bumps,\u201d she explains. \u201cWhile physical scrubs can cause irritation, gentle body peels can safely dissolve the protein<\/a> plugs without injuring the skin.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

She suggests using the TCA Multi-Acid Body Peel by StackedSkincare<\/a> once a week, which offers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n