Keratosis Pilaris: How To Treat It

Keratosis Pilaris: How To Treat It

Do you currently have small, white bumps on your upper arms and legs? If you do then you trivial have a skin condition called keratosis pilaris ( or KP, for short ). Keratosis pilaris is a very common problem skin problem that poses no real threat other than the actuality that it is unattractive and tough.

This skin condition is neatly a buildup of keratin in the hair follicles. Keratin mixes with dead skin cells and results in the diagnostic skin bumps. Some people may and get red bumps on their face.

Fortunately, the appearance of keratosis pilaris will subside with age, but you don ' t have to wait a lifetime to see the end of your KP condition. In all honesty, this common skin condition reacts very well to both chemical and technical exfoliants.

Mechanical Exfoliants for KP Bumps on Arms and Legs

There are two main reasons that scrubs are the best option for treating KP:

* KP affects large areas of skin

* The skin on the body is thicker than the skin on your face

Unlike most skin care treatments, commercial scrubs are effective, cheap and relatively easy to clean up. You can choose from a mixture of different scrubs.

Homemade scrubs are inexpensive, but a mess to work with. Although, if you exalt to use natural scrubs then try using these in the shower to minimize any mess.

Some natural products used as homemade scrubs include:

* coffee grinds

* granulated sugar or sea salt

* sodium bicarbonate ( baking soda )

* oatmeal

Using Chemical Exfoliants to Treat Keratosis Pilaris

Most keratosis pilaris lotions contain AHAs, salicylic acid or vitamin A. These types of products are best for the facial area, but keep in brains that they can cause irritation. In structure to avoid this problem you should proceed with caution, especially if you have dry or sensitive skin.

AHAs or outset hydroxy acids are derived from different types of foods. The most common AHAs are glycolic acid, lactic acid, citric acid and mandelic acid.

AHAs are beneficial to proper skin care owing to they are effectual of scrap good the tracing of the outer most layer of the skin by slab to reduce the cohesion of skin cells. This means that the level corneum can quag off at a higher ratio than before which again means that it becomes less difficult for keratin and dead cells to clog the hair follicles.

Salicylic acid is an excellent keratosis pilaris treatment, now it has a coupled denouement on KP. It acts on the surface of the skin, but can further penetrate the hair follicle and help regulate the degree of shedding from within.

Vitamin A ( retinol or retinoids ) can help treat keratosis pilaris, now it makes the external layer of the skin grow more fast. Consequently, it decreases the amount of keratin in the skin. As a completion, the surface layer of the skin becomes thinner and pores are less likely to get clogged.