Keratosis Pilaris Treatment: How To Get Rid of the Bumps on Your Arms

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Do you want to get rid of the bumps on your arms without harsh prescription creams? Then you should try this simple three-step keratosis pilaris treatment that’s safe and non toxic.

Are you frustrated, discouraged, and ready to give up trying to figure out how to get rid of keratosis pilaris?

I know how you’re feeling because I used to feel that way, too.

I used to be so embarrassed by the bumps on my arms. I remember shrinking away from my husband when we were first dating. I remember cringing every time a friend would hug me. I never went so far as to cover up my arms, but the KP definitely affected my confidence.

I didn’t think it was possible to get rid of my KP without the help of harsh prescription creams, and I’d used enough of them over the years for acne that I didn’t want to go that route.

I just thought that I’d have to live with it for the rest of my life.

Until one day, I noticed that the chicken skin on my arms was gone. Completely by accident and without even trying, I finally had the smooth arms I’d always wanted. All I did was make a few small changes to my body care routine, and it cleared my KP naturally.

And I want you to know the best keratosis pilaris treatment so I’m sharing all the details right here.

In this post, we’ll discuss:

what causes keratosis pilaris
before and after photos
how to get rid of it
what not to do
recommended products

What causes keratosis pilaris?

Keratosis pilaris is a build-up of a protein called keratin. The keratin plugs the hair follicles and creates rough, bumpy skin. It affects 50-80% of all adolescents and about 40% of adults. (So you’re not alone!)

KP usually appears on the upper arms, thighs, buttocks, or cheeks of the face, and dry skin tends to worsen the condition.

Experts believe that keratosis pilaris may be genetic and related to other skin conditions like eczema.

Does diet affect keratosis pilaris?

Depending on what article you read or what doctor or nutritionist you talk to, diet may or may not affect keratosis pilaris.

But, as we all know, a healthy diet is good for us! So if an unhealthy diet is one of the causes of obesity, and obesity is one of the causes of keratosis pilaris, I don’t think it’s a leap to make the connection that a poor diet affects keratosis pilaris.

And according to Kelly Dorfman, a licensed clinical nutritionist, a deficiency in essential fatty acids can cause keratosis pilaris. She suggests increasing your intake of foods like walnuts, olive oil, and flaxseed oil, and supplement with fish oil capsules.

Let’s dig a little deeper on the keratosis pilaris diet connection. A 2018 study stated that a healthy gut microbiome can help prevent and/or treat inflammatory skin conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis. And since KP is commonly found in people with eczema, it seems to me like there’s some truth to the thought that diet causes keratosis pilaris.

For me, I didn’t alter my diet when my keratosis pilaris cleared up but I already eat a healthy diet with lots of fruits and veggies, lean meats, good fats, and grains. With that being said, I don’t follow a diet free of anything, and yes, I do indulge in sweets and alcohol from time to time.

Keratosis pilaris lotion testimonials

Before I tell you how I cleared my KP and what products I use, read some testimonials from other people who use these products, too! I wish that I had before and after photos for you, but I didn’t even think to take them because I wasn’t expecting this method to clear up my KP.

And this isn’t KP, but check out the incredible results on my daughter’s friend’s eczema after using the soap and lotion bar!

how to get rid of keratosis pilaris

So how did I get rid of my KP by accident?

Well, I had decided to try some new non toxic body care products, a gentle bar of soap and a lotion bar that you apply while your skin is still wet. Then one day as I was rubbing the lotion in, I realized that my arms were smooth!

That’s why I believe that the best keratosis pilaris lotion is this body lotion bar made with farm-fresh beeswax. (If you have facial keratosis pilaris, use this facial lotion bar that’s also made with farm-fresh beeswax.)

While the lotion bar is the star of the show, it’s not the only thing you need to use.

Three steps to smooth arms

I gently exfoliate my skin before showering using a dry brush.
Then I wash my skin with a gentle, natural bar of soap.
Finally, I hydrate and moisturize my skin using the non-drying, waterless lotion bar. (Use this lotion bar on your face.)

Other things you should do

Shower in lukewarm water. Hot water dries out your skin and can make keratosis pilaris worse.
Wear loose clothing. Tight clothes can rub against your skin and irritate it.
Use a humidifier. Dry air can cause dry, itchy skin which can trigger keratosis pilaris.

No matter what, DO NOT scratch, pick or try to pop the keratosis pilaris because it can cause infection or scarring.

(For a limited time during Black Friday 2020, save 30% on the soap and lotion bar I used to clear my KP! Use code HOLIDAY30 at checkout. Offer ends Dec. 7 at 12 p.m. CT. (Not valid on Subscribe N Save orders.) Send me an e-mail at karen@howellkaren.com if you have any questions!)

What to do if you have keratosis pilaris on your face

If you have facial keratosis pilaris, follow the same three steps as above but with slight modifications.

Gently exfoliate a few times a week using a gentle scrub. (I use this one, but it may be too harsh for sensitive skin.)
Wash with a gentle, natural bar of soap.
Spritz with an alcohol-free toner.
Apply an antioxidant serum (morning only).
Hydrate and moisturize using the non-drying, waterless facial lotion bar.

You should also switch to a sulfate-free shampoo if you have keratosis pilaris on the face. Sulfates can strip natural oils from hair and skin, which leads to dryness. And as we learned earlier, dry skin is bad for keratosis pilaris! Sulfates can also irritate skin conditions like rosacea and eczema.

What not to do

When I searched for the best keratosis pilaris treatment, I found that none of them were satisfactory.

The potential side effects of the suggested creams for treatment were redness, stinging, and dry or irritated skin. Topical retinoid therapy may prevent the plugged follicles, however it’s not recommended for pregnant or nursing women.

And one health article I read said that if you stop the prescription keratosis pilaris cream, the bumps will return. So I’d have to use it indefinitely? I didn’t like that option.

FINAL THOUGHTS ON KERATOSIS PILARIS TREATMENT

Yes, there is a safe, natural, non toxic keratosis pilaris treatment, and it requires just three simple products. If you struggle with the bumps on your skin, it’s worth giving this method a try. How much money and time do you waste on other products that don’t work?

If you want to get rid of the bumps on your arms without harsh prescription creams, then you should try this simple three-step keratosis pilaris treatment that’s safe and non toxic.

Keratosis Pilaris Treatment: How To Get Rid of the Bumps on Your Arms