lf you suffer from those little red, rough bumps that cover the back of your upper arms, you're not alone — far from it.
Almost 50 percent of all adults and 80 percent of adolescents experience that skin scourge known as keratosis pilaris — a genetic skin condition sometimes referred to as chicken skin (for reasons you can probably gather). Those bumps are annoying, but they're completely harmless and painless. You might not be able to get rid of them completely, but here are several easy ways to diminish and manage them and leave you feeling totally tank-top — and tankini! — ready.
How Do You Get Keratosis Pilaris?
Keratosis pilaris is caused by your body's excessive production of keratin, which is a natural protein found in your skin. The keratin builds up and clogs the hair follicles in your pores, creating those troublesome — though remember, completely innocuous — red bumps. It's more common in the cold months when the air is dryer. Keratosis pilaris is more common in women than men, which is totally annoying because women have far more sleeveless options than guys do. (Well, at least chic sleeveless options.) There's no cure, but many people find the condition diminishes as they get older. One good thing to look forward to about aging!
How Can You Treat It?
One of the best ways to manage keratosis pilaris is to manage the tactile roughness, or the affected "chicken skin" areas with hydrating moisturizer to soften the keratin plug and exfoliation to flatten it. You can exfoliate to make your skin softer, but don't be too heavy-handed or abrasive — excessive scrubbing can turn faintly red bumps into very red, very angry bumps. Use a gentle body scrub and make sure water is warm but not too hot. Use a simple body wash that says "non-comedogenic" — which means it won't clog your pores.
One of the other easiest and most effective way to treat your bumps is to moisturize and keep your skin well-hydrated. Use an over-the-counter and prescription cream, which will help soften the keratin plug. Again, look for skin-soothing lotions that are non-comedogenic and contain colloidal oatmeal, which help keep skin calm and reduce irritation.
If you can commit to moisturizing the affected area at least twice a day — especially in the colder months when your skin is even dryer — you can reduce the redness of the irritated areas easily and inexpensively on your own. While the bumps may not disappear completely, they should grow more faint and less noticeable, and the moisturizing and hydrating routine should make your skin softer and less rough.
If moisturizing just isn't helping, your dermatologist may recommend various treatments, like microdermabrasion or chemical peels, or prescribe Retin-A or prescription corticosteroids.
No matter how tempting, never pick at or scratch the affected area. Scratching at keratosis pilaris may only worsen the redness. One of the few good things about keratosis pilaris is that if you leave the affected area alone, save gently washing and moisturizing, chances are you'll gradually see an improvement — and experience fewer people asking why you're wearing a blazer in July.
http://styleunited.com/TipsAndTrends/article/How-to-Banish-Red-Arm-Bumps-and-Look-Great-Sleeveless
Almost 50 percent of all adults and 80 percent of adolescents experience that skin scourge known as keratosis pilaris — a genetic skin condition sometimes referred to as chicken skin (for reasons you can probably gather). Those bumps are annoying, but they're completely harmless and painless. You might not be able to get rid of them completely, but here are several easy ways to diminish and manage them and leave you feeling totally tank-top — and tankini! — ready.
How Do You Get Keratosis Pilaris?
Keratosis pilaris is caused by your body's excessive production of keratin, which is a natural protein found in your skin. The keratin builds up and clogs the hair follicles in your pores, creating those troublesome — though remember, completely innocuous — red bumps. It's more common in the cold months when the air is dryer. Keratosis pilaris is more common in women than men, which is totally annoying because women have far more sleeveless options than guys do. (Well, at least chic sleeveless options.) There's no cure, but many people find the condition diminishes as they get older. One good thing to look forward to about aging!
How Can You Treat It?
One of the best ways to manage keratosis pilaris is to manage the tactile roughness, or the affected "chicken skin" areas with hydrating moisturizer to soften the keratin plug and exfoliation to flatten it. You can exfoliate to make your skin softer, but don't be too heavy-handed or abrasive — excessive scrubbing can turn faintly red bumps into very red, very angry bumps. Use a gentle body scrub and make sure water is warm but not too hot. Use a simple body wash that says "non-comedogenic" — which means it won't clog your pores.
One of the other easiest and most effective way to treat your bumps is to moisturize and keep your skin well-hydrated. Use an over-the-counter and prescription cream, which will help soften the keratin plug. Again, look for skin-soothing lotions that are non-comedogenic and contain colloidal oatmeal, which help keep skin calm and reduce irritation.
If you can commit to moisturizing the affected area at least twice a day — especially in the colder months when your skin is even dryer — you can reduce the redness of the irritated areas easily and inexpensively on your own. While the bumps may not disappear completely, they should grow more faint and less noticeable, and the moisturizing and hydrating routine should make your skin softer and less rough.
If moisturizing just isn't helping, your dermatologist may recommend various treatments, like microdermabrasion or chemical peels, or prescribe Retin-A or prescription corticosteroids.
No matter how tempting, never pick at or scratch the affected area. Scratching at keratosis pilaris may only worsen the redness. One of the few good things about keratosis pilaris is that if you leave the affected area alone, save gently washing and moisturizing, chances are you'll gradually see an improvement — and experience fewer people asking why you're wearing a blazer in July.
http://styleunited.com/TipsAndTrends/article/How-to-Banish-Red-Arm-Bumps-and-Look-Great-Sleeveless
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