Keratosis pilaris is a very common skin condition that is characterized small, benign white or red bumps on arms and sometimes the legs. Small, red bumps can also affect the face. But, they never affect areas without hair follicles such as the palms or soles of the feet.

Keratosis pilaris (also known as KP or follicular keratosis) occurs around the hair follicles. The bumps or papules are actually waxy build-ups of keratin. This condition is caused when your skin does not slough off at a consistent rate, and allows keratin and dead skin cells to clog pores and form KP bumps.

Fortunately, keratosis pilaris is not dangerous. Sometimes the tiny bumps may get infected, but they can be treated easily and quickly to avoid any complications.

Ways of Treating Keratosis Pilaris

Keratosis pilaris may subside with age, but who's willing to wait so long? If you want to find a quick solution then you can use creams containing Vitamin A, alpha hydroxy acids, and salicylic acid. Exfoliation is a complimentary routine that will help you achieve fast results, just make sure not to overdo it.

Vitamin A - retinol or retinoids - helps treat KP 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 become blocked.

Another great addition to keratosis pilaris lotions is alpha hydroxy acids or AHAs. This group of acids is derived from different types of foods. Some of the most common AHAs are derived from sugar cane, milk, citrus fruits, and almonds.

The use of AHAs is important because they help moderate the formation of a new stratum corneum through reduced cellular cohesion between corneocytes at the lowest levels of the stratum corneum. This means that the stratum corneum can slough off at a higher rate than before. Keratin and dead cells no longer clog the hair follicles as easily as before.

Salicylic acid produces the same effect as AHAs. This beta hydroxy acid is capable of penetrating the hair follicle and regulating the rate of cell shedding within the pore. This helps loosen up clogged pores from within.

Exfoliating can also be an excellent keratosis pilaris treatment. This simple process can help trigger cell turnover and remove any existing skin bumps. If you would like to try exfoliating your skin, you can use cotton or wool scrubbies, sugar or salt crystals as well as loofahs and facial scrub brushes.

If you have sensitive skin, stay away from mechanical abrasives. Instead, look for natural acids like milk or grapes to help you remove dead skin cells.