‘Strawberry skin’ is a term given to the pitted or dotted appearance of skin, more commonly on the arms and/or legs. This dotted skin is commonly referred to as strawberry skin because it resembles the black dots or pits on a strawberry. Its appearance has also been compared to chicken skin or goosebumps. The medical term for this skin condition is called Keratosis Pilaris, which is caused by dead skin and debris getting stuck in hair follicles that are exposed to air after shaving.
Shaving can lead to ingrown hairs which further worsens the appearance of strawberry skin by causing dark spots or a darker ‘shadow’ with each follicle. While this skin condition is benign, it is often troublesome, especially for those with darker, thicker hair. Fortunately, there are effective methods to permanently eliminate strawberry skin on the arms and legs.
Step 1: Stop Shaving
Shaving leaves the opening of the hair follicle fully exposed, which allows dirt and debris to be trapped along with the skin’s natural oils; this results in many clogged follicles. The trapped oil in a clogged follicle also oxidizes to give an even darker appearance to the follicular opening. Interestingly, we do not only see strawberry skin with shaving; it is also occurs after waxing if the hair is thicker & darker.
Step 2: Opt for Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal treatments permanently destroy hair follicles without leaving the follicle open to trap any dirt, oil or debris. Because laser treatments are permanent, they will completely eliminate the need to shave or wax, which in turn will stop the production of Keratosis Pilaris skin.
Step 3: Exfoliate
Gentle and disciplined exfoliation is essential in treating Keratosis Pilaris. Mechanical exfoliation cleans out pores and removes dead skin cells off the surface of the skin so there is no debris left to clog pores. Chemical exfoliators such as salicylic acid or glycolic acid are great for improving strawberry legs. At RenewMD, we always advise clients who are undergoing laser hair removal treatments to exfoliate the skin on their body at least four to five times a week with a loofah or coffee scrub for the best results in avoiding and treating Keratosis Pilaris
Step 4: Moisturize
The best way to avoid dead skin and debris on the skin is to keep it hydrated. Dry skin leads to an excess of skin debris leading to clogged pores. Once the skin is properly exfoliated, it will become smoother and hold on to any hydration applied by a body moisturizer. Moisturizers with clean and balanced ingredients will also act as a barrier for the skin to ensure strong elasticity and resilience.
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