Keratosis Pilaris - the symptoms and solutions

Keratosis pilaris as you may know is a very common condition, appearing usually on the outer edge of the upper arms. Keratosis pilaris is quite harmless and does not cause any symptoms. There are numerous rough follicular spots, which may be skin coloured, red or brown. Often keratosis pilaris also occurs on the thighs and cheeks, and less often on the forearms and upper back. It is most obvious during the teenage years.

The condition tends to be more severe during the winter months or other times of low humidity when skin dries out. It can disappear for years, or appear for the first time in adult life.

The precise cause has yet to be determined, although it is thought to be a disorder of keratinisation in which the sticky cells that line the hair follicle form a horny plug instead of exfoliating. This widens the pores making them appear more obvious than elsewhere. Often a curled hair can be identified under the skin.

My recommendations to you would be to use a body wash that does not include soap. Dermalogica's Conditioning Body Wash is ideal. Moisturise twice a day and always apply moisturiser within 3 minutes of having a bath or shower for maximum benefits. Dermalogica's Body Hydrating Cream is excellent for you as it contains hydroxy acids, which will dissolve the inter-cellular glue that holds the dead skin cells together and the fruit enzymes of papaya and papain will digest the keratinised cells.