Everything About Keratosis Pilaris
(Chicken Skin)
Have you wondered what to call those patches of rough bumps that mostly appear around your thighs, buttocks, upper arms, or cheeks?
If you notice, they seem harmless or non-contagious and tend to disappear as you advance in age.
Well! That, my friend, is what you may call Keratosis Pilaris or Chicken Skin. Does that sound familiar?
If you are unsure of your answer. No worries! Just grab a bite and join in as deep-dive further into everything you need to know about Keratosis Pilaris, its symptoms, causes, and how to properly manage it or prevent it from worsening.
All right, let's get down to it!
What Is Keratosis Pilaris?
Keratosis pilaris is a harmless skin condition that causes patches of rough small bumps to appear on the skin. Also known as chicken skin, anyone with this condition tends to notice painless small bumps around their hair follicles. These bumps contain excess keratin, a protein responsible for hair, nail and epidermis formation. In terms of looks, the bumps may appear red, white or brown depending on your skin color.
However, keratosis pilaris is mostly found in toddlers, babies or teenagers. It worsens during puberty, winter months or pregnancy. Aside from that, it tends to disappear as one approaches age 30 naturally. According to research, scientists believe that genetics also plays a role in who might develop this condition. People with fair or light skin, diabetes, obesity, down syndrome, and Cushing's syndrome are also on the high side of developing this skin condition.
Symptoms of Keratosis Pilaris
The major symptoms of keratosis pilaris are visible bumps that look like goosebumps or the skin you see from a feather-plucked chicken. Hence, the name – chicken skin.
Now, let's outline other associated symptoms.
Itchy or dry skin at the back of your upper arms, legs or buttocks
Rough bumps that give a sandpaper feel
Discolored bumps depending on the skin tone
-
The bumps worsen during dry periods like the winter
However, if you notice these symptoms but are still not sure whether it's keratosis pilaris, kindly send us a photo for a free consultation.
Cause of Keratosis Pilaris
The main cause of this skin condition is keratin or hair protein accumulation in the pores. Sometimes, these bumps might be mistaken for pimple clusters, but they are hard keratin build-up. Once these keratins block the hair follicle opening, it triggers rough, bumpy skin patches. Although it's unclear why this happens, scientists have reasons to believe that genetics contributes. Also, people with eczema have more tendency to develop keratosis pilaris
Managing Keratosis Pilaris – Dos & Don'ts
It's worth noting that keratosis pilaris has no cure, but it will likely disappear on its own before one hits age 30. The one thing you can do is manage it and prevent it from worsening. Hence, we have outlined a list of dos and don'ts to help you.
Check it out!
Dos
Moisturize regularly with gentle and fragrance-free moisturizers to keep your skin from becoming dry. Try our Mary Calm Cannabis or Skin Relief Cream if you are itchy.
Exfoliate often with Glycolic Acid or Peeling Gommage to remove dead skin cells and unclog your hair follicles. Mild exfoliants are the best.
Maintain a healthy diet rich in vitamins to promote your skin's well-being. Consider adding fruits and vegetables to your diet.
Avoid wearing excessively tight clothes to prevent irritating your skin or worsening your keratosis pilaris or chicken skin.
Experiment with Air Humidifiers to moisten the air in your room and prevent your skin from flaring up or becoming itchy due to dryness.
Don'ts
Never pick or squeeze your bumps to prevent scarring or inflammation
Avoid over-exfoliating so you don't aggravate your skin. Once or twice a week is okay.
Avoid Harsh Formulas like soaps, scrubs or cleansers that may strip your natural oil.
Avoid hot showers, as they can dry out your skin. Instead, take warm showers.
Conclusion
Skincare ingredients, such as niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and aloe vera, can go a long way in helping skin with keratosis pilaris. Niacinamide improves texture, hyaluronic acid hydrates, while aloe vera calms and soothes inflamed skin. Furthermore, using CBD-infused products may also help calm redness and irritation, like our mary Calm Cannabis moisturizer.
At Gold Cosmetics & Skin Care, we are committed to helping you overcome all skin problems. If you notice these symptoms and wish to clear them out, kindly get in touch by booking a free consultation or visit our physical location in Florida. We can't wait to meet you!
Not sure which kit is right for you? Click below to send us a photo of your skin issue for a free consultation!
REAL PATIENTS, REAL RESULTS!
ACNE
DARK SPOTS - (HYPER-PIGMENTATION)
SCARS
