Keratosis Pilaris Treatments

There are effective ways to treat this “incurable” skin condition. Over-the-counter treatments and products are very effective when used regularly or in combination with other treatments. However, if your Keratosis Pilaris (KP) outbreaks are more severe, or you feel your skin is not responding to treatment, speak to your dermatologist before self-prescribing.

Using one or more of the following processes will prove to be a good strategy for treating KP outbreaks:

Exfoliating

Moisturizing

Softening

Applying anti-inflammatory agents

Some of the most effective agents and products we recommend to treat Keratosis Pilaris outbreaks include:

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs)

Glycolic acid and Lactic acid are two AHAs used to minimize the bumps through chemical exfoliation. M.D. Forté Hand and Body Cream contains 20% glycolic acid and other agents to assist in re-texturizing your skin.

Lactic Acid, which comes in over-the-counter and prescription formulas, is also an effective ingredient for alleviating the appearance of KP bumps. For sensitive skin on the face or in cases of children with KP, LactiCare Lotion is the mildest treatment. Two stronger products for treating more serious cases of KP are AmLactin 12% Moisturizing Cream, AmLactin AP Moisturizing Cream, and Lac-Hydrin 12%.

Urea

As with conditions that result in extremely dry and scaly skin, such as psoriasis, eczema, and ichtyosis, you may find your KP affected areas unresponsive to milder treatments. In this case you’ll want to try a product containing urea. Carmol 10 and Carmol 20 are OTC products, but for advanced cases of KP you may want to talk to your Dermatologist or doctor about a prescription for Vanamide or Carmol 40 Cream.

Glytone’s KP Kit

As KP often responds well to a multi-faceted approach, consider a therapy regimen that incorporates more than one product, such as Glytone’s KP Kit. Since the goal of KP treatment is to exfoliate, moisturize, and prevent discoloring at the inflamed areas, you’ll find it handy to have both treatments and a gentle puff in one convenient package.

Vitamin A Treatments

Sufferers of acne and KP have used vitamin A creams such as Retin A, Tazorac and Differin for years. And while the potency of these products is undeniably effective at treating blemishes, the skin can become dry and pinkishly raw with overuse. For that reason, you may want to start with a nonprescription alternative such as Afirm. Use a small amount of cream applied to the affected areas only once every other day or night.

Soothing Topical Anti-inflammatories

Yes, the bumps are receding, you might say, but what about the itch? For an anti-inflammatory with the added benefit of itch relief, Sarnol-HC provides the effectiveness of 1% hydrocortisone. Sarnol HC Lotion’s base compounds help soften, smooth and moisturize the skin. In addition to KP, Sarnol HC Lotion relieves the discomfort of sunburn, poison ivy, poison oak, and insect bites.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion therapies offered through visits to your dermatologist may be the last resort for sufferers of KP, but they can also be costly and inconvenient. However, there are a couple of at-home microdermabrasion products that, when used regularly, can have a similar glowing effect. Neova Microdermabrasion Scrub and Peter Thomas Roth AHA/BHA Face and Body Polish are excellent OTC alternatives.

As with any long-term goal, persistence is the key to treating keratosis pilaris. It is, after all, a chronic condition that requires long term treatment. But chronic doesn’t mean panic. Regular treatment through the specialized products above will go a long way toward preventing new “chicken skin bumps.”

Just remember, there’s a lot more to you than a few red bumps, and beauty, as always, is only skin deep.