2 Tips on how to smooth bumpy skin PLUS a secret tip most people
don’t talk about but works rather well to greatly reduce Keratosis Pilaris or get rid of it altogether.
Keratosis Pilaris is common. It affects roughly 50% of the population. Keratosis Pilaris is characterized by flesh colored or red bumps with rough, dry patches. It is Usually located on the back of arms, legs, or even the buttocks.
In this post, we are going to be covering how to smooth bumpy skin whether it is from shaving, waxing, ingrown hairs and or Keratosis Pilaris.
First, Keratosis Pilaris is a genetic disorder. It is basically an over keratinization of the skin’s hair follicles which accumulates within the pores, resulting in “bumpy skin” that can look like goose bumps or “chicken skin”.
This can also lead to hair becoming trapped beneath the keratin plug making the bump become larger.
Generally the bumps don’t itch or hurt. Keratosis Pilaris can become worse in the drier, winter months.
Who is more Likely to Develop Keratosis Pilaris:
Keratosis Pilaris is an autosomal dominant with incomplete penetrance which basically means that when one parent carries the gene, there is a 50% chance that each child will have the gene.
However, not every person that has the gene will express the phenotype of the gene.
Symptoms can Appear:
-Before 2 years old
-In adolescence (50-80%)
-Have it most of their lives (40% adults)
-Slightly more common in women but BOTH men and women are affected
In India (and other surrounding countries) a rare specific condition called Erthyromelanosis Follicularis Facei et colli exists, which is described by a combination of hyper pigmentation, follicular plugging and erythema of the face and neck.
Risks of getting Keratosis Pilaris if you have one or more of the following:
-Asthma
-Dry Skin/Eczema
-Overweight/Obese
-Hay Fever
-Ichthyosis Vulgaris (very dry skin condition)
-Melanoma and taking Vemurafenib
Tips on how to Smooth out Bumps:
Because this genetic condition causes a slower desquamation rate (skin cell turnover rate), this can cause the keratin plugging, so it is important to exfoliate…but not just by scrubbing your skin.
The Three Different Types of Exfoliation and which one is best for You
Effective Cleanser for Keratosis Pilaris
First, use an exfoliating cleanser that contains AHA such as lactic acid and or Glycolic acid. This breaks down the intercellular glue that holds the skin cells together.
Using a cleanser that has beads or using sugar or salt scrub it not as effective. Especially salt scrubs as this can dry out the skin, which may exacerbate the Keratosis Pilaris condition.
The Best Exfoliating Cleanser has 4 types of acids that work to BOTH break down the intercellular that holds the dead skin cells together and dissolves the dead skin cells.
**UPDATE**. This cleanser is being reformulated so please go to the new link.
It does NOT contain any drying foaming agent . If you DON’T have sensitive skin, you may apply this on clean DRY skin and leave on for a minute or two , massage for a few seconds then rinse off.
It is recommended to use with an exfoliating towel to remove dead skin more effectively. Avoid using a loofah that does is NOT treated with Microban as the bacteria and yeast on your skin cells can be transferred onto the exfoliating loofah or sponge.
My clients use this for acne, ingrown hairs and Keratosis Pilaris.
The 2nd tip is AFTER using an exfoliating cleanser, apply an exfoliating serum or lotion on dry skin.
The exfoliating cleanser is great for breaking down keratin and loosening up the dead skin cells that’s just the first step in the process.
Keratosis Pilaris is more common when the skin is dry so it is important to keep the skin moisturized.
However, for some skin types, using a lotion/cream can make thir skin more bumpy when using certain types of moisturizers.
So if you tend to get bumpy skin easier, then a water based serum that BOTH hydrates and exfoliates can be a better solution.
Serious Serum is a water based gel that was created to treat bumpy skin, bumpy skin from ingrown hair and rough skin.
This serum both hydrates AND exfoliates and unlike the popular Tend Skin, it does NOT contain any alcohol that can dehydrate the skin, which can cause more sebum production.
Because Serious Serum contains Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid, and Lactic Acid, it is NOT recommended for sensitive skin. It is a clear gel that contains glycerin (hydrating), aloe vera gel (hydrating) and anti inflammatory ingredients such as green tea extract and chamomile.
Body Lotions that Treat Keratosis Pilaris:
There are several lotions that also treat Keratosis Pilaris which according to the ingredients list, I did not care for.
***Please note*** -Ingredients do change from time to time and this is according the ingredients that were listed at the time of this post.
Amlactin is a body lotion that contains lactic acid to help exfoliate the skin.
However, it does contain petroleum and mineral oil both of which can cause clogged pores so I am slightly befuddled as to why a lotion that treats bumpy skin would contain ingredients that is known to be comedogenic.
It also contains Propylparaben and Methylparaben so if you prefer a product that is paraben free, this is not it.
TOUCH Keratosis Pilaris Treatment also is rated pretty high .
However, for those of you who are concerned about GMO products, it does contain Glycine Soja Oil which is soybean oil.
Soybean oil has a high amount of emollients and occlusive properties . However, all soybean that does not specifically say that it is NON-GMO is you have to assume that it is GMO.
It also contains fragrance so for those of you who are sensitive to fragrance, this may not be the product for you.
DRMTLGY Keratosis Treatment was also rated very high. I could NOT find the ingredients list for this. It seems that it works quite well for most .
However, in one of the reviews, there was a complaint that mentioned that “it smells awful”. However, if you are not sensitive to smells, this may be the one you would like to try.
Secret Tip for Keratosis Pilaris-
The secret tip for Keratosis Pilaris that I don’t see mentioned is that if you expose the area where you have Keratosis Pilaris to the sun WITHOUT sunscreen, for just a few minutes, on a semi regular basis, the Keratosis Pilaris decreases greatly or goes away altogether.
***Please be aware that if you are using exfoliants, such as the products mentioned above, this increases your photo sensitivity to the sun so please use caution if you decide you would like to do this.
Depending on how well your skin can take the sun without burning, you could do 3-4 minutes once or twice a week or all the way up to 5-7 minutes.
For a mode detailed explanation of this, please watch the video above.
In our next post, we will be discussing “The Unknown TRUTH about Micellar Water, Cleansing Wipes and Facial Cleansing Oil”.
