Arm Skin Feel Like Sandpaper?
If your not looking forward to “baring arms” this season because your skin is rough and bumpy to the touch, you may have a condition known as keratosis pilaris or KP. KP is very common and causes patches of scaly skin and small, acne-like bumps on the upper arms, although it may also appear on the thighs and buttocks.
Cells in the outermost layer of the skin contain a structural matrix of keratin, a thick protein, which makes the skin almost waterproof and, along with collagen and elastin, gives skin its strength. Keratosis pilaris results from the excess buildup of keratin, which forms a scaly plug that blocks hair follicle openings. Although the reason behind the accumulation of keratin is unknown, it may be associated with genetic diseases or other skin conditions, but also occurs in otherwise healthy people. Dry skin tends to worsen the condition.
The good news is that KP is not medically serious and causes no long-term health issues. The less good news is that it can be cosmetically annoying and may take some time and effort on your part to see improvement.
Dermatologists can prescribe medications to help soften the keratin or promote chemical exfoliation of the skin with Retin-A. However, at home care is also essential to see results. Firstly, be gentle when washing your skin. Vigorous scrubbing, scratching or picking of the plugs may only irritate your skin and aggravate the condition. I often recommend patients use the Clarisonic cleansing brush (available in our office or at our webstore) on the affected areas. The sonic vibrations from the brush help to gently exfoliate the skin and loosen plugs. It also helps products and medications penetrate better.
Avoid harsh and drying soaps when showering or bathing and limit your time to fifteen minutes or less, using warm, not hot water. Afterward, gently pat or blot your skin dry with a towel so that some moisture remains on the skin. Apply lotion while your skin is still moist from bathing. I will often recommend a moisturizer containing glycolic acid that softens dry, rough skin and helps remove excess keratin. If applying moisturizer consistenly does not fit your lifestyle, we also have pads with glycolic and salicylic acid that are quick and easy to use. Just a quick swipe twice a day will help to improve texture over time.
Consistency is key to seeing results! For more information on keratosis pilaris, contact our office.
Tags: arms, clarisonic, glycolic, keratin, keratosis pilaris, KP, scaly
This entry was posted on Friday, May 29th, 2009 at 12:35 am and is filed under Products, Skin Health. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
