It’s summer and the season for showing off some skin. For some of us, a condition called keratosis pilaris – commonly referred to as strawberry legs – can get in the way of those plans.
While not contagious or painful, it can be a source of embarrassment and can, in some cases, be uncomfortable. It presents as red-ish pink, purple, dark or white bumps on your legs (and can appear on the upper arms and your butt, too). They can sometimes be slightly itchy and are very prone to getting nicked open when shaving your legs!
But what, exactly, causes it? Keratosis pilaris is essentially when a protein called keratin becomes clogged in your hair follicles. While more common in children, this condition affects many adults, too. Fortunately, this condition can be managed using a combination of exfoliating and moisturising. Here’s how to make your spots disappear.
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Read more: Everything You Need – Before And After – For A Smooth Shave
When it comes to exfoliation, there are two different methods you can turn to:
Exfoliate / Option #1: Scrub
Physical exfoliation is when you use a scrub to manually buff away dead skin cells. The results can be seen and felt immediately and skin feels smooth and soft. In order to diminish the appearance of and keep keratosis pilaris at bay, you should use a scrub two to three times a week.
Exfoliate / Option #2: Acid
Instead of scrubbing your skin, you apply ingredients known as alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs) that deep clean pores and dissolve the bonds holding dead skin cells to your body. This should also be done two to three times a week for optimal results (and, yes, you can *totally* use facial products on your body, too!).
Moisturise
After you have scrubbed your skin or waited for your chemical exfoliant to absorb or dry down, it’s crucial to add moisture back to your skin to keep it soft, silky, smooth and in tip-top condition. This will also make sure that your skin’s protective barrier isn’t disrupted by any exfoliating products or polish.
