How to Cure Keratosis Pilaris

I have suffered with Keratosis Pilaris for as long as I can remember, but only recently discovered what it actually is. In this post, I’m going to talk in depth about Keratosis Pilaris and how it can be reduced.

What is Keratosis Pilaris?

This is KP on the back of my calf.

Keratosis Pilaris is a very common harmless skin condition which effects between 50 & 70% of the population. The skin becomes rough and bumpy, often on the backs of the arms and legs but can occur on other parts of the body too. These small bumps are usually red in colour but can differ person to person. KP usually happens when the hair follicles become blocked with a substance called Keratin. Keratin is a structural material produced by the body which makes up our hair and nails. It isn’t known why Keratin builds up naturally but it can be passed down genetically.

How can I cure Keratosis Pilaris?

Officially, there is no cure for Keratosis Pilaris. What I’m going to share with you is what specifically worked at reducing the appearance of my KP, it may not work for everyone but I’m seeing huge noticable differences to my skin.

I recently discovered the KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub by First Aid Beauty, which claimed to be safe for sensitive skin. It retails for £22, it is on the pricer side for an exfoliator, but standard scrubs, I had tried previously, didn’t make much of a difference. The scrub contains physical and chemical exfoliators, including AHA, Glycolic and Lactic Acid, which help to resurface the top layer of the skin improving its texture and appearance. The acid levels are quite high, 10%, therefore it’s not recommended for facial use. Because of the high concentration of AHA, your skin will become more sensitive to the sun, so be careful and use an SPF when exposed to the sun.

In the shower, on wet skin, I apply a small amount to my hands and gently rub over the affected areas, specificaly my arms and lower legs. I like to do this for at least a minute or two, to really exfoliate and remove any rough patches of skin.

After showering, apply a soothing moisturiser to the areas you have treated. I typically reach for a body butter, but any body moisturiser should work well. Every time I bathe or shower I will apply my cream, to keep the skin nice and hydrated, to prevent any new bumps from forming.

You don’t have to buy this specific body scrub to treat KP, there are tons of different products on the market which contain acids to treat the condition, it just so happens this is the one that has worked wonders for me.

Here are some other useful tips that can help reduce the appearance of KP:

• Avoid perfumed soaps/body washes etc. that may dry out your skin
• Avoid really hot baths and showers
• Use a moisturiser which contains glycolic or lactic acid. Glycolic acid dissolves dead skin cells creating a smoother texture to the skin by gently exfoliating and decongesting the pores

I am so glad I discovered the KP Bump Eraser, it’s drastically improved my KP and has made me feel a little more confident to have my bare legs out in public. I would really recommend checking it out if you haven’t already.

Do you suffer from Keratosis Pilaris? Have you found a routine or product which works well for you? I’d love to hear your tips!

Until Another Day x