Keratosis Pilaris & Dry Skin
Tightness, itchiness, redness, flakiness and dull-looking skin – if your skin could send a true SOS, these symptoms would be the hallmarks of the message.
While dry skin is common and, depending on the season, to be expected, it’s an irritation that can make other skin conditions – like keratosis pilaris – worse.
Keratosis Pilaris Itchy Symptoms
Simply put, an individual with dry skin is, unfortunately, more likely to have keratosis pilaris.
As you – or anyone living with KP – well know, the dry, rough patches and tiny bumps on your upper arms, thighs and cheeks generally don’t hurt or itch, the presence of dry skin can exacerbate KP symptoms and aggravate your outer dermis.
With severe dry skin and/or more pronounced keratosis pilaris (where the bumps get inflamed) some individuals may experience severe itching.
While there is no cure for keratosis pilaris, there are remedies and treatments that can significantly diminish the itchy symptoms and soothe keratosis pilaris dry skin.
7 Ways to Treat Keratosis Pilaris Dry Skin
KP is a benign skin condition that forms from the buildup of a protein in the hair pores called keratin. The keratin gets clogged in the pores and, therefore, blocks the opening of growing hair follicles. In turn, small bumps form over where a body hair should be.
While KP is known to clear up with age, it’s understandable if you don’t want to wait until you reach the coveted age to live with comfortable dermis and feel confident in your skin.
There are effective steps and treatment routes you can take now to alleviate your irritations and keratosis pilaris dry skin:
Simple steps to start with:
- Avoid wearing tight clothes. Clothes that are tight to the skin – especially in warmer weather – can produce friction and irritate already aggravated, dry skin.
- Add a humidifier to your home. By adding moisture to the air in any room, you can help your skin maintain moisture and prevent itchy, KP flare-ups.
- Take short, warm baths. Soaking in warm water for a short amount of time can help unclog and loosen pores. From there, you can more effectively exfoliate. Note that a short bath is key, as prolonged time in water can remove the body’s natural oils.
- Exfoliate daily. Gentle exfoliation on a daily basis can remove overgrowth of dead skin, soften and rejuvenate dry dermis, and improve the overall appearance of KP-prone skin.
Consider a treatment route:
Medications.
Topical medications, like steroids and anti-inflammatories, can reduce inflammation or aid in skin tissue growth and repair.
Medications aren’t for everyone and they can have adverse effects. A dermatologist should have the overall call as to whether your skin conditions would completely benefit from medications, or if another route would be just as successful and less chemically-based.
Dermatological treatments.
Depending on the severity of your itchy, dry skin and keratosis rash, a skin doctor may recommend a chemical peel or a retinol cream.
Chemical peels essentially remove the outer layer of your skin to initiate the removal of old skin cells. Peels can have undesired side effects, however, such as excessive skin irritation, breakouts, and an increased sensitivity to UV (sun) light. Your doctor can discuss this method in more detail, including the pros and cons.
Retinol creams help promote cell turnover and, thus, help smooth keratosis pilaris skin. There are a number of documented risks to using retinol that are similar to those of chemical peels. Retinol use is also not recommended during pregnancy.
All-encompassing lotions or treatment kits.
Through innovation and continuous research to understand KP (and accompanying dry skin), there are keratosis pilaris moisturizers and products that deliver an entire spectrum of support, relief and results.
If you live with KP and suffer from dry skin, keratosis pilaris moisturizers that foster anti-itch properties and boast a superior ability to hold on to water molecules to help keep skin moist will take your skin to new heights.
Certain products will also help you achieve skin with reduced redness and irritation.
Take Precautions with Keratosis Pilaris Moisturizer Ingredients
Some keratosis pilaris moisturizers push results by including ingredients that may deliver certain, desired outcomes, but produce negative, undesired side effects, such as:
- Stinging
- Redness
- Irritation
- Dryness
Achieve Incredible Dry Skin Relief and Reduce the Appearance of Your Keratosis Pilaris Bumps & Scars
Living with KP and dry skin is no simple feat. Days are filled with rough, itchy skin and, sometimes, an insecurity in your own skin.
Understanding your struggle to find a product that works and is safe is what drove us to develop our breakthrough exfoliating body cleanser to relieve itchy KP skin and tackle dry, tight, dull-looking skin.
In addition to fighting your most prevalent skin conditions, this exfoliating body cleanser will work to prevent and significantly reduce the appearance of wrinkles and dark spots, such as stretch marks and scars. Overall, you’ll notice an improvement in your skin’s texture, clarity, firmness and elasticity.
Give it a try risk free and begin to see results you can be proud of in as little as 60 days.
