How often should you exfoliate to prevent Keratosis Pilaris?
If exfoliation makes you think of gritty sugar scrubs and hardcore washcloths that leave you red and raw, that’s not how to exfoliate KP away. Focus on chemical exfoliation, products with skin-softening acids (lactic acid, urea), to unclog the keratin plugs in the skin. Every skin type is different, so start conservatively—every-other-day, not every day—and assess how things are looking in a few weeks. Aggressive scrubbing usually makes it worse, warns Dr. Caroline Chang of the Rhode Island Dermatology Institute.
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Keratosis Pilaris
Small, harmless bumps of dead skin cells that form around the hair follicle.
Also Called
KP, chicken skin, bumpy arms, permanent goose bumps
Frequently Found On
Back of upper arms, outer thighs, back of thighs, outer calves
Related Concerns
Learn More: Keratosis Pilaris