If you immediately know what "chicken skin" means then you might just have keratosis pilaris, also known as KP.
These small but unsightly bumps, mostly seen on the arms but also the thighs and buttocks, are genetic in nature so there's no real cure for them.
However, there are treatments that work for many, although none have worked well for me, so far. I have these red bumps on my upper arms and hate them.
People ask if I am sunburned and I tell them no, it's a skin condition -- but hey, thanks for pointing it out!
KP is caused by too many skin cells forming around the hair on the skin and becoming trapped, causing the bumps. There is nothing dangerous or harmful about KP, it can just look ugly, which is why so many people want to get rid of it.
Women suffer from KP more than men although I think the only thing my son got from me (he's the image of his Dad) was KP. Sorry, kid!
Expensive treatments like chemical peels, laser resurfacing and other skin clearing methods are available. If you have the money, they can provide great relief for KP and have your skin looking much clearer, smoother and feeling baby soft.
I talked to a nurse who works at a plastic surgery office and she told me it can be a pricey commitment so it's something that's very much on the back burner for me. Once I win that lottery I keep talking about, I'll be first in line!
She also told me to make sure go to a reputable clinic or spa since these treatments need to be done by a qualified person.
Less expensive but still effective treatments include the use of urea and lactic acids that can smooth the skin. These acids cause the skin to exfoliate and clear up.
You can find urea creams at drug stores or cosmetic and beauty stores. A good scrub beforehand will help.
I scrub my skin in the shower (using a moisturizing skin scrub) once it's warm and soft to help to unclog skin cells and allow them to surface and disappear.
Retinols can also help. In fact, any skin product (or foods) with Vitamin A can help. Vitamin A is a known factor for smooth and healthy skin.
I used Retin-A on my face for a year until my insurance wouldn't pay for it anymore.
It was about a hundred dollars for a tube if I paid in cash so I declined and used the LacLotion instead, containing lactic acid. A large bottle costs under ten dollars.
I saw a bit of clearance but nothing worth noting. It's been a few years, maybe I'll give it another try.
Retin-A or any product with this ingredient can help smooth KP. Just remember to limit sun exposure and not to overuse a retinol, as this can actually make the skin worse.
I was warned repeatedly about not exposing my face to the sun for long so I assume the same can be said of other body parts.
Other natural methods that some people swear by are a mix of apple cider vinegar and coconut oil that is applied to the affected skin, not swallowed, as well as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) that can be found in vitamin or health stores.
A quick call to your health care provider is a good idea before trying these methods. I have not tried the apple cider vinegar and coconut oil mix yet so I think that will be my next try.
I'll keep you posted! While I will always have to deal with KP, my goal is to look like I don't have it at all!
If you have tried any of the above methods or have some of your own that have worked, let us know. KP affects 40 percent of adults so the more information we have, the better!
Edited by Jody Smith