Skin should be smooth to the sight and touch, with a uniform texture and color. But there are many skin conditions that can make you look rough and bumpy. Some of these conditions, like keratosis pilaris, can make you feel frequent skin irritation, as if you have razor bumps and discomfort at all times. Visit a dermatology center in San Diego, CA, if you’re unhappy with the appearance of your skin for any reason.
What can you do about rough, bumpy, and irritated skin? Read on to learn more about keratosis pilaris and the best-known treatment plans for this condition.
About Keratosis Pilaris
Often referred to as KP, keratosis pilaris is actually a genetic condition. You may notice that you and several other members of your family could suffer from red, bumpy, irritated skin. However, not all members of a family will inherit KP.
KP is caused when the skin cells around your hair follicles become lodged and remain in place, rather than shedding and self-exfoliating. While your skin constantly produces new cells, it should naturally shed the old and/or dead cells. Your skin benefits from frequently self-rejuvenating in this way. When the cells around your hair follicles don’t shed, they will build up. As new and old cells crowd in the same area, bumps will form. Think of bumps as areas where there are too many skin cells in one place. The bumps are usually visible, giving you a rough appearance. It can even look speckled or red. For some reason, KP symptoms usually appear on the upper, exterior arms where the tricep muscles are located.
The skin can feel irritated if you have KP because the body senses buildup of rough skin. Many suggest that the irritation feeling is your body’s way of urging you to rub or scratch the area to remove dead skin cells that won’t shed on their own.
Treatment for Keratosis Pilaris
Thankfully, KP symptoms are treatable. Many people visit dermatology consultants to help restore smooth and comfortable skin. However, KP is not completely curable. Dermatology can help you manage the symptoms and reduce the bumpy feel or irritating feeling of KP on your skin.
There are many topical medications that you can apply directly to the affected areas. Over-the-counter and prescription medications like glycolic acid help exfoliate the skin and smooth it out. Retinols and retinoids, meanwhile, help increase skin cell turnover, which can help you naturally self-exfoliate. While there are many products available to you, prescription medications are more likely to work. You can get these medications from a dermatology center near you.
However, it’s important to visit a dermatologist to diagnose KP. There are many skin conditions that can cause redness and bumps, so before you self-treat and end up applying the wrong medication to your skin, ask a doctor to evaluate you. A doctor may even recommend you try laser therapy to improve skin texture and reduce irritation. Laser treatments may offer longer-lasting results. However, this must be performed under a doctor’s supervision.
If you’re tired of living with rough, bumpy, uneven, itchy, or irritated skin, visit a cosmetic dermatologist in San Diego, CA. Call Academic & Aesthetic Dermatology Consultants to learn more about the right treatment plan for your skin.
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