How to Eliminate Strawberry Legs, According to Derms

How to eliminate strawberry legs, a.k.a. those dark areas that make your skin appear like the beyond– you thought it– a strawberry, is a lot simpler than one may believe. However before you can even consider services on how to get clearer and smoother-looking skin, you need to comprehend what these dots are and how they became in the very first location.

“[It’s] a term utilized to explain the look of dark pores or little black areas on the legs, looking like the seeds on a strawberry,” states board-certified skin specialist Tiffany Libby, MD. “While it’s not clinically uneasy, it typically functions as a cosmetic issue associated to the noticeable dark areas or dots that provide the skin a speckled look.”

Marisa Garshick, MD, board-certified skin specialist at MDCS Dermatology, concurs and includes strawberry legs are typically asymptomatic. Depending upon what is triggering these dark areas, she states they can be related to itching, discomfort, or little rough bumps.

So while it’s ruled out hazardous, there are a number of methods to avoid these black dots from appearing if their look troubles you. From causes to how to eliminate strawberry legs, Libby and Garshick break down whatever you require to understand listed below.

The Reasons For Strawberry Legs

Strawberry legs, states Libby, are primarily brought on by the existence of 3 things: blocked hair roots, ingrown hairs, or folliculitis. Garshick describes that blocked pores can take place when dead skin, oil, or particles oxidize inside the pores and turn dark, offering skin that strawberry skin look. Ingrown hairs (a.k.a. pseudofolliculitis) can arise from waxing or shaving when the hair roots ends up being irritated. Folliculitis describes the bacterial or fungal infection of the hair roots that can cause inflammation or pustules focused around the hair roots. This can likewise take place when the hair remains in a state of friction, such as being caught under tight leggings or throughout exercises. And while technically a various condition, strawberry legs are comparable in look to keratosis pilaris, which she states is a condition when keratin or dead skin gets caught in the hair roots which can trigger a rough bumpy texture that looks like chicken skin.

Both professionals state that genes may contribute in who is more susceptible to getting this skin problem, so it’s certainly something to think about. Libby describes that some individuals are inclined to having darker, thicker hair that instantly makes them more susceptible to ingrown hairs or roots obstructions. Garshick concurs and includes that when dark or coarse hair is shaved, it can still leave a dark dot that appears noticeable given that the hair is a darker color.

How to Avoid Them

To avoid strawberry legs, you need to change your body care regimen. However they’re simple repairs to integrate. A few of the very best methods consist of the following:

Exfoliating Frequently

Garshick states that routine exfoliation, chemical or physical, assists to avoid the accumulation of dead skin, and avoids the pores from ending up being blocked. Libby includes that taking a look at chemical exfoliants such as alpha- (AHA) and beta-hydroxy acids (BHA) will liquify away dead skin cells and keep pores clear of any particles. “An item like First Aid Beauty’s KP Bump Eraser is my go-to suggestion for avoiding and dealing with both strawberry legs and keratosis pilaris,” she states. “It carefully exfoliates with moderate pumice beads and glycolic and lactic acids to raise away dead skin cell layers and lessen blocked pores.”

Shaving Appropriately

When shaving, Libby states that you’ll wish to utilize a hydrating shaving cream and utilize a sharp razor to avoid razor bumps. Garshick includes that it is essential to likewise shave in the instructions of hair development. Libby includes you can even think about alternative hair elimination items, like depilatory creams, to lower the danger of ingrown hairs.

Keeping Skin Hydrated

Hydration is crucial and utilizing a mild moisturizing cream or cream will have your skin sensation soft and smooth. “Keeping the skin well hydrated and moisturized [helps] prevent dryness that may worsen the condition,” states Libby. We like something like the CeraVe SA Cream with Salicylic Acid for Rough & Bumpy Skin as our go-to body cream to keeping the skin’s surface area smooth and clear and it appropriates for all skin types.

Dry Brushing

Both professionals state that dry brushing, the physical exfoliant that sloughs away dead skin cells, can be advantageous to keeping strawberry legs at bay. Garshick states it can avoid accumulation and keep pores unclogged. You just take a soft dry brush and brush in circular movements on dry skin before getting in the shower.

Treatment

Currently got strawberry legs? No issue. Libby states that the 2 essential things to remember when treating them are unclogging pores and reducing ingrown hairs. This can be carried out in lots of methods, however she advises concentrating on appropriate shaving strategy and thinking about in-office treatments.