Then you have keratosis pilaris. Before you freak out, let’s just clarify that it isn’t dangerous or contagious; it’s simply incredibly inconvenient when you want to wear a top with no sleeves!
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What then is the cause? In essence, it’s a keratin issue. The natural protein known as keratin makes up the top layer of your skin (as well as your hair and nails). However, if you have keratosis pilaris, which affects 40% of the population, you create too much of it, which leads to hard plugs forming inside the hair follicles on your body and resulting in those tiny bumps.
Keratosis pilaris doesn’t play fair either: some people just have it (no matter how religiously they scrub and moisturise), and others have perfectly smooth skin without doing a thing. Annoyingly, you can’t actually cure it and it’s completely genetic – so you can probably blame your parents!
But before you consign yourself to a lifetime of long sleeves, there are things you can do to make it look a lot better.
How To Get Smooth Skin On Upper Arms
Get a bit of sunshine
Most people find their KP gets better in Summer because of the effect of sunlight and higher humidity. Make sure you always wear sunscreen, though, and don’t overdo it – too much sun will make the KP worse.
Give your body some TLC
Avoid dryness by taking brief, tepid showers because keeping skin hydrated decreases the development of pimples (hot water saps moisture). Create suds using a gentle, unscented soap.
Try using a soft scrub
Though it may seem tempting, you cannot scrape the bumps away. You must exfoliate gently and frequently to help clear the hair follicles and smooth the skin’s surface (step away from the pan scourer).
If you want to reduce your bumps (you buff this one into dry skin and then rinse, but make sure you stand in the shower while you do it or things can get messy).
Consume healthy foods
Increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids by eating more cold-water fish (such as salmon, mackerel, and anchovies), walnuts, and flax seeds. Omega-3 fatty acids are crucial for the health of your skin. Make sure you are getting enough vitamin A, as it has also been associated with KP. Egg yolks and cod liver oil are two of the finest sources.
Moisturize your skin
You must moisturize your body on a daily basis, regardless of the season, just like you moisturize your face. Right after taking a shower, cover your hands and legs with a mild body lotion. Applying the lotion when your skin is still moist is recommended. The lotion produces an artificial barrier that shields the skin from external aggressors and stops moisture loss.
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