Keratosis Pilaris on the legs, buttocks and arms.

Question: “Keratosis Pilaris on the legs, buttocks and arms.”

Hi Mads

I have the last few years struggled with Keratosis Pilaris also called “strawberrylegs” as I understand it. It is very visible everywhere on my legs, buttocks but just a little on my arms.

I have read everywhere that you have to exfoliate the area where you suffer from Keratosis Pilaris but elsewhere they say that you shouldn’t exfoliate! I am simply so confused and I dont know what I should do!. I have read that if you look at a baby, the child has soft and beautiful skin because the skin is not yet spoiled by countless skincare products and the constant disruption of the skin’s own defences.

But is the skin not able to clean/fix itself? Is it really necessarily to use anything but water ?? As you possible now already, I have a lot doubt. The places I have keratosis pilaris on the body is also the places where I use skincare products. It has to be said that I have normal skin, sometimes a bit dry, but usually normal skin. So I do not really feel that my skin need a lot of different skincare products. I use mild products from the pharmacy and, in fact, those from Matas, even though I’ve seen you say that they are not the best.

So maybe the reason why I suffer from Keratosis Pilaris is wrong skin care?
I just do not know how to get rid of the spots, without further irritating the skin. And should I just stop using soap and cream, or am I forever bound to use skincare products?

I really hope you can give me a definite answer to my questions, because I will become insane if my skin does not improve! ;-)

Love
Nikoline

Answer to: “Keratosis Pilaris on the legs, buttocks and arms.”

Hi Nikoline

I’m so incredibly sorry to hear that you are plagued by Keratosis Pilaris on both arms, legs and buttocks – it is certainly not a fun skin condition. In any case, it is not a beautiful skin condition, but other than cosmetic reasons it does not really matter. The dots neither scratch (despite the skin can often feel dry) and there are no other complaints about the skin condition other than your skin is covered by these (not particularly pretty) dots.

Why some people suffer from Keratosis Pilaris is actually hard to say. We do not know why, but approximately 40% of all women suffer from the skin disorder. However, we know it is a skin condition that takes place in the skin’s pores – and therefore it is unlikely that your condition should have anything to do with skin care or anything else that the skin comes in touch with on the outside. So I believe the condition has something to do with hormones or hormonal changes in the body.

And yes, there are a lot of stuff surfing around on the internet about Keratosis Pilaris. I have also read my part about Keratosis Pilaris – and it is easy to see, that there are a lot of very different interpretations on how Keratosis Pilaris should be treated.

One thing, however, is for sure! Most skin experts happily agree on today, that there is one thing you should never do if you suffer from Keratosis Pilaris! Keratosis Pilaris should never be scrubbed with either scrubbing gloves, peeling creams or abrasive mechanics – those treatments will only irritate your skin further and result in a worsening of your skin condition.

– Read more about Keratosis Pilaris here.

But let me try to help you to get rid of the dots from Keratosis Pilaris. Despite the fact that there are a huge amount of smart advice for the treatment of Keratosis Pilaris, I see it differently! In my opinion there are only two treatments that work. One is bag balm – but we do not want this product to be used on the skin for a long period of time. It is never good to use a lot of hormone creams or hormone ointments on our skin!

The only other treatment that really has an effect on Keratosis Pilaris. And the product that I will recommend you to use is salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is also called Beta Hydroxy Acid, or BHA – maybe you have heard of it already? Maybe you have even read about BHA in your search for a treatment of your Keratosis Pilaris?

Dont look any further … Salicylic acid is a great ingredient for the treatment of Keratosis Pilaris!

Salicylic acid is a perfect ingredient if you want a gentle but effective exfoliation with out the need for scrubbing or any other disturbance of the skin! Salicylic acid gently remove dead skin cells from the skin’s surface, and salicylic acid also kills bacteria from the skin’s surface. At the same time, the salicylic acid penetrates into the skin and through the pores where it gently cleans the skin’s pores. The salicylic acid is gentle but still really effective, and also works in the deeper layers of the skin and ensures that the product also treat and remove dead skin cells from the deeper skin layers.

In short, salicylic acid cleans the surface of the skin, the skin pores and the deeper skin layers.

And since Keratosis Pilaris is simply explained just a clogging of the skin’s pores which result in small red dots on the skin’s surface, it’s just a ingredient with the properties of salicylic acid that you are looking for. Unlike scrubbing or mechanical peeling, where you wipe the skin with abrasive grains or gloves, salicylic acid is acidic – and gives the most most sensitive exfoliating of the skin.

Salicylic acid is also deep cleansing, exfoliating and soothing to the skin – that is 3 good properties in you want to treat Keratosis Pilaris.

So I would strongly advise you to get started with salicylic acid!

I have two products with salicylic acid. And will recommend you the following treatment to remove your Keratosis Pilaris before summer, which is the time for shorts, dresses and short-sleeved t-shirts and sweaters :-)

1) For 3 – 4 weeks, you use my amazing product Perfect Skin Power Treat. It is an almost pure salicylic acid product, but also contains a little niacinamide and chamomile – both ingredients are super good for treating Keratosis Pilaris and soothing to your skin so you will soon see a result.

Use Perfect Skin Power Treat every time you have bathed and washed your skin with a mild cleansing product – it could be my “Amazing Body Wash”. When your skin is dry, take a little Perfect Skin Power Treat in your palm and gently smear it on your legs, buttocks and arms.

– You’ll find Perfect Skin Power Treat here.

2) After Perfect Skin Power Treat, make sure to get started with my super delicious body lotion “Amazing Body Lotion”. I will do wonders for your skin condition and you should soon be more or less Keratosis Pilaris free at this time, but we just make sure it will not come again. So be sure to use Amazing Body Lotion regularly.

It contains salicylic acid, like Smooth Skin Treamtent, but it also contains plenty of moisture to the skin – think about Amazing Body Lotion, like your new body lotion and cream for your body. Use Amazing Body Lotion after each bath, or otherwise just when you feel like it. But preferably at least 2 times a week, so your Keratosis Pilaris does not show its ugly red dots again! :-)

– You’ll find Amazing Body Lotion here.

Finally, make sure you do not press or squeeze your red dots – it will only make it worse if you scratch the dots and further irritate your skin.

I hope I have answered your questions. :-D