Keratosis Pilaris: How to Treat It
Catalina Igor
Do you currently have small, white bumps on your upper arms and legs? If so, then chances are you have a skin condition called keratosis pilaris (or KP, for short). Keratosis pilaris is a very common problem skin problem that poses no real threat other than the fact that it is unattractive and bothersome.
This skin condition is simply a buildup of excess keratin in the hair follicles. Keratin mixes with dead skin cells and results in the characteristic skin bumps. Some people may also suffer from red bumps on their face.
Fortunately, keratosis pilaris subsides with age. However, you can do something about it now if you want to. As a matter of fact, this condition reacts well to mechanical and chemical exfoliants.
Using Mechanical Exfoliants for KP Bumps on Arms and Legs (http://www.skintreatmentcream.com/)
There are two main reasons that scrubs are the best option for treating KP:
*KP can affect larger areas of skin
*Your body skin is much thicker than your facial skin
Commercial scrubs are also a great option because they are effective, cheap and relatively easy to clean up. You can find a wide variety of them. It all depends on your tastes.
Homemade scrubs are cheaper, but also messier to work with. Although, if you're personal preference is inclined to using these scrubs, then try using them in the shower to minimize any mess.
Some natural products used as homemade scrubs include:
*coffee grinds
*granulated sugar or sea salt
*sodium bicarbonate
*oatmeal
Chemical Exfoliants for Keratosis Pilaris
You can find keratosis pilaris lotions that contain AHAs, salicylic acid or vitamin A. These types of products are best for the facial area, but keep in mind that they can cause irritation. In order to avoid this problem you should proceed with caution, especially if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Other natural scrubs, such as AHAs or alpha hydroxy acids are derived from different types of foods. The most common AHAs are extracted from sugar cane, milk, citric fruits, and almonds.
AHAs are so beneficial to skin care because they help moderate the formation of the outer most layer of the skin, or stratum corneum, by reducing the cohesion of the skin cells. This means that the stratum corneum can slough off at a higher rate which helps prevent keratin and dead cells from clogging the hair follicles.
Salicylic acid is also an excellent keratosis pilaris treatment (http://www.skintreatmentcream.com/) that has a double effect on KP. It acts on the surface of the skin, but can also penetrate the hair follicle and help regulate the rate of shedding from within.
Vitamin A (retinol or retinoids) can help treat keratosis pilaris, because it makes the outer layer of the skin grow more rapidly. Therefore, it decreases the amount of keratin in the skin. As a result, the surface layer of the skin becomes thinner and pores are less likely to get clogged.
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