Tips for Staving off Keratosis Pilaris

It’s believed that keratosis pilaris effects more than 50% of the world’s population. Though there’s no way to prevent or cure keratosis pilaris, you can help smooth away the annoying bumps through simple lifestyle changes:

1. Avoid hot water and long baths

Use lukewarm water rather than hot water and limit shower time or bath time to less than 10 minutes because hot water and long showers or baths remove oils from your skin.

2. Avoid harsh soaps

Use gentle soaps like Basis or Dove that are made for sensitive skin and dry skin. After washing, your skin should become soft and smooth, not tight or dry.

3. Keep moist

After cleansing or bathing, gently pat your skin dry with a towel and immediately moisturize your skin with a moisturizer that contains lanolin, petroleum jelly or glycerin.

4. Use a humidifier

Use a humidifier is another effective way to keep your skin moist by adding moisture to the air inside your home. You can use a portable humidifier or install one with your furnace.

5. Get more sunlight

Daily sunlight provides you with more vitamin D which is beneficial to clearing your keratosis pilaris. But you should always use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to avoid sun damage.

6. Eat well

Foods like salmon, walnuts, flax & hemp seeds, liver, sweet potatoes, carrots and leafy greens, that are high in omega fatty acids or vitamin A can really help moisturize your skin from the inside out carrying away your body’s toxins that cause skin inflammation.

7. Don’t pick the bumps

Squeezing or picking your bumps can aggravate the condition, and even cause scarring in some cases.

Looking for a more effective way to put an end to your keratosis pilaris? Consult a dermatologist or skin specialist for a thorough assessment, they will discuss treatment options to best suit your needs.