Of all the amazing terms we give our beauty woes, “chicken skin” and “strawberry legs”, aka keratosis pilaris, takes the cake. This skin condition appears as dark red dots on your arms and legs, making them look like the surface of well…a strawberry. But, all is not lost. When it comes to treating keratosis pilaris, you need to adopt a two-fold approach, mainly exfoliation and moisturisation.
But, what is keratosis pilaris?
It is a genetic condition in which hair follicles on the surface of skin are blocked by protein (keratin), oil and dead skin cells. Keratosis pilaris usually appears as red or brown, raised dots on your arms, legs and chest and is often mistaken for ingrown hair.
How can I treat it?
Shave carefully
If you tend to shave, make sure you use a sharp razor. Keep it in a clean environment and wash it with hot water before using it. This will prevent your hair follicles from getting infected.
Exfoliate often
To prevent your hair follicles from getting plugged, make sure exfoliate regularly. Along with gentle scrubs, look for bodycare products that contain exfoliants, like lactic, glycolic and salicylic acid, as they loosen dead skin and reduce inflammation. Scrub and exfoliate your body every alternate day to prevent any build-up.
Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise
Post-exfoliation, always moisturise your skin. This prevents it from drying out and can significantly help reduce the appearance of bumps. If you’re more of a DIY person, simply slather on some coconut or almond oil on your body and call it a day. If you’re looking for a store-bought option, keeping an eye out for calming ingredients like green tea and chamomile might help with extra hydration.