Keratosis pilaris (KP), also known as "strawberry legs," is a common skin condition that happens if keratin (a protein) builds up and clogs your pores. You can clear up strawberry legs, but KP has no cure. Home remedies—such as exfoliating and moisturizing your skin—help reduce the appearance of strawberry legs. KP sometimes resists treatment and may require a maintenance plan to prevent flares.
Using certain products in your skincare routine may reduce strawberry legs. KP sometimes resists home remedies. You might need to visit a dermatologist for in-office treatments like laser and light therapies.
1. Exfoliants
Exfoliants use ingredients that reduce pores and might treat KP. Look for products that list glycolic or salicylic acid, such as CeraVe SA Cream for Rough and Bumpy Skin or Glytone Exfoliating Body Lotion. These ingredients help ease inflammation, exfoliate dead skin cells, and unclog pores.
You may also consider keratolytic after exfoliating your skin. This chemical exfoliant helps remove dead skin cells. Apply keratolytic as a dermatologist recommends, or follow the label instructions. Using too much of the product may irritate your skin.
2. Humidifier
A humidifier helps keep the air in your home moist if it dries out your skin. Keeping your skin hydrated helps protect against and treat KP flares. Regularly clean and disinfect your humidifier to stop bacteria and mold from growing.
3. Laser and Light Therapy
You might consider laser and light therapies for stubborn cases of KP that resist home remedies. Research has found that intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy helps even skin tone, gets rid of sandpaper-like texture, and reduces redness in people with KP.
4. Moisturizers
Moisturizing your skin is essential to protect against KP, especially after shaving your legs. Look for a moisturizer made with lactic acid or urea. Ensure you apply it to damp skin no more than five minutes after bathing or showering to lock in moisture. Reapply during the day as needed if you have dry skin.
When shaving, use a gentle cream, such asa body mousse. Look for an epilator or razor with two blades to avoid irritating your skin. Slather on moisturizer afterward with ceramides or colloidal oatmeal to protect and soothe your skin. Joshua Zeichner, MD, the director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital, advised Aveeno Skin Relief Moisture Repair Cream. It's fragrance-free and non-comedogenic, so it will not clog your pores.
5. Retinoids
Retinoids are vitamin A derivatives that help speed skin cell turnover. They improve skin tone and prevent the build-up of keratin in your pores. You can find retinoids in oral pills or topical creams, either over the counter or by prescription.
Examples of retinoids include:
- Adapalene
- Isotretinoin
- Retinol
- Tazarotene
- Tretinoin
6. Steroid Creams
Topical steroids help reduce inflammation, which may treat KP. Talk to a dermatologist before trying a steroid cream. Some might increase the number of sebaceous (oil) glands on your face. Too many oil glands might raise the number of hair follicles and worsen KP.
Causes
Your skin creates a build-up of keratin, which is a protein in your hair, nails, and skin, if you have strawberry legs. It may plug your pores, which blocks the hair follicle and causes small bumps. You might notice inflammation around or near the bumps.
Anyone can develop strawberry legs. Risk factors that increase your likelihood include:
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Dry skin
- Eczema
- Excess body weight
- Family history of KP
- Ichthyosis vulgaris, which causes very dry skin
- Vemurafenib, or a melanoma treatment
There's no cure for KP, but you can improve the appearance of strawberry legs and prevent flares:
- Avoid rubbing and sweating:Keep your skin cool and dry. Wear loose clothing to avoid irritating hair follicles.
- Do not pick at bumps:You might cause permanent scars and irritate your skin.
- Limit physically exfoliating your skin:This technique temporarily breaks down keratin. Rough exfoliation may inflame your skin, which causes redness and makes strawberry legs more noticeable.
- Maintain a skincare routine:The continuous use of creams and lotions can smoothen your skin, minimize redness, and reduce strawberry legs over time. Bumps may reappear once you stop treatment.
- Shorten your baths and showers:Spend no more than 20 minutes in the bath or shower daily. Use warm water to prevent dry skin.
- Steer clear of self-tanning lotions:These products may make your bumps more noticeable than usual.
- Try laser hair removal:Shaving and waxing might irritate your skin.
A Quick Review
Strawberry legs, or KP, happen if you have clogged pores. There's no cure for KP, but you can reduce the appearance of strawberry legs. Treatments include exfoliants, moisturizers, retinoids, and more. Maintaining a skincare routine helps prevent strawberry legs. Contact a dermatologist if KP does not respond to home remedies. Laser or light therapies help treat stubborn cases.
