Please Read, especially for those who have Keratosis Pilaris A-K-A Chicken Skin.
Here’s a brief background on Keratosis Pilaris:(KP) is a very common and completely harmless skin condition. Many small (1 to 2 mm. across) red or brown bumps can be seen blocking the hair follicles on the upper and outer parts of the arms and thighs.
Since KP is a skin condition that affects places of hair growth, I’m wondering if permanent hair removal can reduce the appearance. Has anyone who has KP seen a difference in the complexion of their skin as a result of permanent hair removal?
If you’re not sure whether or not you have KP, here’s good link to describe everything:
and pictures:
I didn’t know I had it until referring to a dermatologist. For the most part, I have to keep my skin extra moisturized to help reduce the appearance, but either way it is still there. It can be hereditary, but it’s not the end of the world if you have it—it’s like having freckles.
Thank you for your help. I found the thread somewhat useful, but I don’t want the feedback to stop from here on. I would like to find more people with KP who have experienced the permanent hair removal and their feelings about it. I always like more than one response to get more of a general idea of what to expect, or if there’s really hope beyond the constant exfoliating. I find that KP is more common than I realize and posting in a hair removal forum is bound to find someone—I hope. As long as I can get them to read and find out what KP really is, then it’s possible to find a few who can relate.
I’ve had severe KP over my legs since I was a kid. 6 years ago I went through laser hair removal, with my last leg session being about 4 years ago. The hair is still gone, but sadly it had practically no effect good or bad on my KP.
I’ve been battling my KP systematically for years, trying various products and techniques. I’ve found that moisturizing actually made my KP worse, with the best treatment so far being 2% Salicylic acid OR 15% Alpha Hydroxy lotion once a day, but it’s still not great. You might want to start out with a lower percentage AHA or salicylic acid to see how it does for you. Take a look at:
I have a great dermatology book called DERMAdoctor with information on all kinds of skin related problems & treatment options and the dermatologist who wrote the book says that 50% of the world’s population has keratosis pilaris (KP). You can also get treatment options information on her website (www.dermadoctor.com) like glycolic acid, lactic acid, urea, vitamin A, theraputic dry oil, immunomodulators, microdermabrasion/chemical peels, etc.
I personally have a mild form of KP and I’ve only tried alpha hydroxy acids treatment and exfoliation, which work for me but I constantly have to do it.
I think a lot of light skinned people, like myself, have light hair on their upper arms and thighs, so laser hair removal would not be a good idea, unless you have dark hair in those areas. I don’t know if LHR would help with getting rid of KP, but it would make sense that it would help, since the hair is what causes the problem.
Here is how the doctor describes what happens to those who have KP:
“The process of keratinization (the formation of epidermal skin) is faulty. Surplus skin cells build up around individual hair follicles. Sometimes a hair is unable to reach the surface and becomes trapped beneath the debris”
Well, I thought it would make sense too, but the fact is LHR didn’t have an effect for me. 99% of my KP follicle spots haven’t had any visible hair in 4 years (and there’s nothing noticeably trapped, especially since I exfoliate so much).
I’m a little wary of dermatologists like “dermadoctor” that sell their own products, rather than refer you to a generic or brand name prescription or OTC. Their products probably work no better than cheaper alternatives with comparable ingredients.
I have to agree with vulpes. I actually did purchase a moisturizer from Dermadoctor’s (AmLactin) and did not see a difference in my skin. I used it til the very end to make sure I would get the full treatment. It wasn’t any better of an effect than if I used regular vaseline. Either way, vulpes, you answered my question and I appreciate that. I’ve heard that Bliss Hot sea salt scrub may work, but I haven’t tried it yet. I will give it a shot. Sorry about your KP. It’s definitely a pain for me as well. I approached the thought of electrolysis with one of my hopes being that maybe it would tackle the KP problem, but I guess not. I know there’s other options, so I am not discouraged.
My derm doc treated my Keratosis with nitrogen & it seemed to do the trick on my ears. Precancer is another name for the condition believed to be caused by sun exposure.
I have “chicken skin” on my upper arms as well. I will be performing electrolysis on my upper arm soon (I am working my way up from the lower arm.) I doubt it will do anything for the chicken skin, but if it does any good I will be sure and let everyone know.
Keratosis is the generic term for overproduction of keratin.
The precancerous is actinic keratosis, aka solar keratosis.
Chicken skin is keratosis pilaris, which is not precancerous nor cancerous.
As a child I had KP on my thighs and upper arms. With each passing birthday my thighs have completely cleared and it’s almost unnoticeable on my upper arms. I’ve never done electrolysis or laser on these areas as the hair is blond vellus hair and never bothered me. But I have done treatments on clients and found that getting rid of the hair will not cause the body to stop overproducing the keratin. For many, it does get better with age.
