Many of our patients bring to us the concern of rough, bumpy skin on the back of their arms or the tops of their thighs. This is a condition called Keratosis Pilaris (KP), also affectionately known as chicken skin or strawberry skin. Studies show that this may have a genetic component, as it tends to run in families and is associated with other skin concerns, such as eczema. 

People with KP have dead skin cells and debris that build up around the hair follicle. Effective topical treatments help unclog the hair follicles and prevent the build-up. Prescription Vitamin A  topicals can do a great job removing debris from the follicles. Other effective treatments include topical keratolytics and chemical exfoliants that help remove the keratin from around the follicle. These products have active ingredients such as salicylic acid, urea, and ammonium lactate. Partnering these with products that include ceramides to help protect the skin barrier helps to improve the appearance of KP while minimizing irritation. 

KP is a chronic condition, so it will require continued maintenance with topicals to prevent the recurrence of bumps along the hair follicles.