Here’s what you need to know about how to deal with these dark pores on your legs.
Strawberry legs, known medically as keratosis pilaris (KP), are a common skin condition that occurs if keratin (a protein) builds up and clogs the pores. While you can cure strawberry legs, KP has no cure. However, home remedies such as exfoliating and moisturizing the skin help reduce its appearance.
To prevent flare-ups, KP may need a maintenance plan since it can occasionally resist treatment. Read on to find out how to reduce strawberry legs and protect yourself from KP.
What are strawberry legs?
KP, commonly known as “strawberry legs,” is a benign (non-cancerous) skin condition. Approximately 40% of adults suffer from KP, along with 50-80% of adolescents. KP causes bumps that may appear as skin-colored “goosebumps” on the back of the thighs and upper arms. Some say the bumps look like the seeds and skin of a strawberry.
Other characteristics of KP include bumps that:
- They are slightly pink
- They are the size of a grain of sand
- It feels like sandpaper
- It looks like acne
Causes of Strawberry Legs:
The skin creates a buildup of keratin, a protein found in hair, nails and skin. This buildup could clog your pores, blocking the hair follicle and causing small bumps, Rachel Nazarian, MD, a New York-based dermatologist, told Health. You may notice inflammation around or near the bumps.
Although anyone can develop strawberry paws, risk factors include:
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Dry skin
- Eczema
- Excess body weight
- Family history of KP
- Ichthyosis Vulgaris, which causes very dry skin
- Vemurafenib, a treatment for melanoma
How to get rid of strawberry legs:
Using certain products in your skincare routine can reduce strawberry paws. KP sometimes resists home treatments. You may need to visit a dermatologist for outpatient treatments such as laser and light therapies.
Exfoliants:
Exfoliants use ingredients that shrink pores and could treat KP, Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital, told Health. He looks for products that contain glycolic or salicylic acid. These ingredients help relieve inflammation, exfoliate dead skin cells, and unclog pores.
Dr. Zeichner recommended Neutrogena Pore Refining Exfoliating Cleanser. This pore-refining cleanser penetrates the skin to remove dirt, makeup and oil for a healthy, smooth complexion.
He tries using CeraVe SA cream for rough, bumpy skin, which contains salicylic acid. This cream gently dissolves keratin without irritation, Debra Jaliman, MD, assistant professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, told Health. Dr. Jaliman also suggested Glytone Exfoliating Body Lotion, which boasts glycolic acid. This lotion helps even out skin texture and reduces strawberry legs.
After exfoliating the skin, he thinks about using keratolytic, a chemical exfoliant that aids in removing dead skin cells. Apply the keratolytic as directed by your dermatologist or on the label. Excessive use of the product may irritate the skin.
Humidifier:
If the air in your house tends to dry out your skin, a humidifier can help maintain moisture in the air. Keeping your skin hydrated helps protect and treat KP flare-ups.3 Clean and disinfect your humidifier regularly to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold.
Laser and light therapy:
You may want to consider laser and light therapies for stubborn cases of KP that resist home treatments. For example, research has found that intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy helps even out skin tone, eliminates sandpaper-like texture, and reduces redness in people with KP.
Moisturizers:
Moisturizing your skin is essential to protect yourself from KP, especially after shaving your legs. Try looking for a lactic acid or urea-based moisturizer. Be sure to apply moisturizer to damp skin no more than five minutes after a bath or shower to lock in moisture. If you have dry skin, reapply throughout the day as needed.
Use a light cream, like Dove Body Mousse, when shaving. Dr. Nazarian advised choosing an epilator or razor with two blades to prevent skin irritation. Then spread a moisturizer with ceramides or colloidal oatmeal. These ingredients help protect and soothe the skin, Dr. Zeichner said.
Aveeno Skin Relief Moisture Repair Cream, which offers all-day hydration, was recommended by Dr. Zeichner. This cream won’t clog pores because it is non-comedogenic and fragrance-free.
Retinoids:
Retinoids, a derivative of vitamin A, help accelerate skin cell turnover. Retinoids therefore enhance skin tone and stop keratin accumulation in pores. Retinoids are available as topical creams or as oral pills.
Examples of retinoids include:
- Adapalene
- Isotretinoin
- Retinol
- Tazarotene
- Tretinoin
Steroid creams:
Topical steroids help reduce inflammation, which can treat KP. Talk to a dermatologist before trying a steroid cream. A review published in 2021 found that some steroid creams might increase the number of sebaceous (oil) glands on the face. The researchers noted that an increase in sebaceous glands could increase the number of hair follicles and worsen KP.
Prevention:
There is no cure for KP. On the other hand, you can stop flare-ups and make strawberry legs look better.
Here are some ways to prevent KP:
- Avoid chafing and sweating: keep your skin cool and dry and wear loose clothing to avoid irritating your hair follicles.
- Avoid self-tanning lotions – these products may make your bumps more noticeable than usual.
- Don’t pinch the bumps—you could cause permanent scarring and irritate the skin, says Dr. Zeichner.
- Limit physical exfoliation of the skin: This technique temporarily breaks down the keratin. Rough exfoliation can inflame the skin, eventually causing redness and making strawberry legs more noticeable than before, Dr. Nazarian said.
- Maintain a skincare routine: Continuous use of these creams and lotions can help smooth skin, minimize redness, and reduce strawberry paws over time. The bumps may reappear once treatment is stopped.
- Shorten your baths and showers: Don’t spend more than 20 minutes in the bathtub or shower each day. Use warm water to prevent dry skin.
- Try laser hair removal: shaving and waxing may irritate your skin.
A Quick Review:
Strawberry legs, or KP, occur if you have clogged pores. There is no cure for KP, but it is possible to reduce its appearance. Treatments include exfoliants, moisturizers, retinoids, and more.
Maintaining a skincare routine helps prevent strawberry paws. Contact a dermatologist if KP does not respond to home treatments. Laser or light therapies help treat stubborn cases.