Do you feel hundreds of small bumps when you touch your legs? That used to happen to me too! On the skin, strawberry legs resemble red or black dots with a small bump under each dot.
After years of suffering from this issue, I have compiled a list of remedies that worked for me and all that I have learned on this journey. Read on to discover the scientific meaning, types and how to get rid of strawberry legs at home!
What are Strawberry Legs: Chicken Skin or Keratosis Pilaris
If you look at your strawberry skin from an angle, you’ll notice a lot of small bumps, some of which don’t have that black dot. This rough and bumpy skin is colloquially known as chicken skin because it looks exactly like that!
Whether you have strawberry legs, chicken skin, or a combination of both, it’s the same skin condition, scientifically known as Keratosis Pilaris. As the name suggests, this skin problem has something to do with keratin.
So, what causes keratosis pilaris? The bumps you’re feeling are actually small keratin deposits collected at the bottom of hair follicles. You will also notice that you get a lot of ingrown hair along with the strawberry skin, and luckily, both can be prevented with the same home remedies.
Home Remedies for Strawberry Legs or Keratosis Pilaris (KP)
For most people, both shaving and waxing make the appearance of strawberry legs worse. Moreover, this condition can occur anywhere on the body. Some of the most common areas where people experience chicken skin or KP include: the upper arms, buttocks, thighs, calves, and forelegs.
Following is a list of home remedies for strawberry legs:
1. Urea-Based Moisturizers:
The reason why strawberry legs occur in the first place is because your skin is way too dry. Urea aids in the breakdown of protein keratin on the skin’s surface, which would otherwise be impossible to remove by simply scrubbing.
Local pharmacy brand urea-based moisturizers are not only cheap but also the best. Look for creams with the highest urea content and apply copious amounts on affected areas. Keep this cream on overnight. Do this every other day if your skin can tolerate it.
Urea-based moisturizers also contain glycolic and lactic acids, which are extremely helpful in gently exfoliating strawberry skin. Some of my favorite pharmacy brand urea creams include- Moisturex, Cotaryl, and Logifeel IMF. You can purchase these moisturizers offline from pharmacies as well, they are widely available.
2. Lactic and Glycolic Acid (Body Wash and Moisturizers):
Both lactic acid and glycolic acid are AHAs that help to gently exfoliate the skin and also brighten the skin. If your strawberry skin is very prominent with black dots, it is important to use glycolic acid to get rid of the pigmentation.
You can use any moisturizer that contains these AHAs and top it off with a body wash that also contains both lactic and glycolic acid. One body wash that has really helped prevent strawberry legs from recurring is the Chemist at Play body wash with 4% lactic acid.
The key to getting rid of strawberry legs is moisturization. It is absolutely necessary to deeply moisturize your skin before and after a bath or using an exfoliating scrub.
3. Scrub after Moisturizing:
After you’ve let the urea and AHA moisturizers soak in your skin overnight, it’s time to GENTLY exfoliate the area. I would advise you to skip the loofah and go for a body scrub instead.
Always use a scrub that not only exfoliates but also moisturizes. Here’s a list of the best body scrubs that we have tested on keratosis pilaris, with their in-depth reviews. My top pick amongst all these scrubs has to be the Mcaffein Coffee Scrub because it’s extremely moisturizing. PS: Use this scrub gently; it can be quite abrasive.
4. Stay Consistent with Moisturizing:
Strawberry legs have an annoying way of returning right after you get a wax or shave. To prevent this, the best thing is to be consistent with the urea and AHA moisturizer even after the bumps have disappeared or been reduced.
Once you feel like the condition is completely resolved, use urea and lactic acid cream once a week to keep your skin soft and shiny. Do this routine one day before your waxing appointment, and we promise you’ll notice a difference – within one week.
Do’s and Don’ts for Strawberry Skin or KP
Do’s
- i) Moisturize with a special urea-based cream from keratosis pilaris one night before exfoliating.
- ii) Gently exfoliate with body scrubs that both exfoliate and hydrate.
- iii) Keep skin hydrated and moisturized to prevent KP/ chicken skin/ strawberry legs.
- iv) Wax and shave sparingly.
- v) Laser is the best way to keep hair and KP away.
Dont’s
- i) Shave over the dry bumpy skin.
- ii) Exfoliate daily
- iii) Put too much pressure while exfoliating
- iv) Skip moisturizer
- v) Use a loofah
Before You Go
Those high-strength urea creams aren’t for everyone. Start with a 5-8% urea and AHA cream and slowly build your way up. The best thing about the AHAs is that you’ll also see improvement in tanning and pigmentation.
Now that you know how to get rid of strawberry legs at home, are you interested some more home remedies and honest skincare reviews? Stay tuned and take care of your skin.
