Today’s Blog post is focused on the skin condition Keratosis Pilaris (KP), more commonly known as ‘chicken skin’ or ‘strawberry legs.’ It is described this way due to the appearance of the skin, the tiny, raised bumps resemble the likeness of chicken skin. With the summer months approaching, this idea of smooth, flawless skin is on the rise. Using basic exfoliants or topical creams cannot always make this achievable, this is where specialised body treatments are needed; in comes Laser Hair removal!
Here at Simply Clinics, we aim to successfully meet clients’ needs, and a common skin concern, such as Keratosis Pilaris, can be treated and reduced using our Laser Hair removal machines, allowing everyone to feel more confident in their own skin!
What is Keratosis Pilaris?
Keratosis Pilaris is a build-up of keratin in the skin which causes a block to the entrance of the hair follicle, creating these rough, bumpy patches on the skin. It is unknown as to why this hard protein builds up in the skin, but there have been few studies done to link it to some dietary intolerances such as gluten and dairy. As well as genetics, it is likely if your parents have KP, that you may experience it too. It is a very common skin condition, that is totally harmless and not infectious, the only symptom that can usually occur is itching, and this would be down to the dryness of the patches and seasonal changes, therefore it is best to always keep these areas heavily moisturised.
The texture of the skin is very similar to goose pimples that you may experience when the skin turns cold. The colour of the bumps may differ slightly depending on the skin tone, with some areas being slightly darker or red.
This skin condition most commonly affects areas that can easily rub against clothing and when you are sitting down, these being; the back of arms, thighs and buttocks. You may notice those patches of KP also have an increased number of ingrowing hairs, this is down to the buildup of keratin making it difficult for the hairs to break through the skin.
How will laser help to reduce it?
Not only is laser hair removal the most effective long-term treatment to get rid of unwanted hair, but it is also a fantastic, safe option to help reduce the effects of ‘chicken skin’. The laser works by targeting the hair follicle, it goes through the skin, disrupting the buildup of the keratin, thus breaking it down and helping to create a smoother, hair free appearance of the skin. Laser hair removal is great at reducing ingrown hairs and irritation that you may get through other hair removal services.
At Simply Clinics we take pride in being able to treat all phototypes with our Lumenis Light Sheer machines (805 and 1060). We use a diode laser that uses patented suction technology to effectively treat the areas and destroy the hair follicle from the root. At our Southgate branch, we also offer the 1060 laser that is ideal for clients with darker skin tones (phototype 4-6). For best results it is ideal to do a course of laser sessions with 4–6 week intervals (depending on if the area is hormonal), as consistency with laser is key to achieving the desired result.
Aftercare with Laser Hair Removal
It is extremely important to keep up with laser hair removal aftercare, not just for the results, but to improve such skin concerns as keratosis pilaris. To ensure you reach the best results, always follow the post treatment aftercare, which involves keeping up with regular, gentle exfoliation to all the areas and moisturising daily.
This is essential because as the hairs get finer, they may struggle to pierce through the skin, so by exfoliating you ensure the dead skin doesn’t build up and the hairs can pass through easily. Exfoliating with a physical brush or product a few times weekly can help decrease the breakdown of the built-up keratin.
In recent years, chemical exfoliants in liquid form or body products such as a wash or cream, have become popular to help achieve these results. They have gained popularity due to the different acids that are included, such as salicylic, glycolic, lactic etc. As they are known for helping to improve skin cell turnover and reduce pigmentation. Body care products have become an integral part of people’s everyday beauty routine as you can really tailor the experience to the skin concern at hand with different ingredients, not just one moisturiser to fit all. This is why body skin concerns like Keratosis Pilaris have people searching for treatments that can diminish the appearance of it. With that in mind, having regular Obagi Chemical Peel treatments may also help your KP!
After completing a session of laser hair removal, it is important to avoid any body products with perfumed ingredients in it, as it could irritate the areas that have been treated. If any itching or redness occurs, applying soothing lotions like aloe vera gel will help with cooling down the area and keeping it moisturised.
The appearance of KP is fairly similar to spots, some people may want to pick or squeeze them, but it is vital that this is avoided. This can lead to inflammation or scarring in the area, prolonging the breakdown of keratin in the skin, as well as potentially causing damage. The following 48 hours (about 2 days) after the laser sessions, excessive sweat or heat in these areas should also be avoided, as well as hot showers or saunas as this can also irritate the skin. Following the aftercare protocol for laser hair removal and an at home body care routine will ensure the best, most effective results from your laser sessions.
If this skin condition is something you have and want to reduce the appearance of while gaining smoother, hair free skin then book in today for your complimentary patch test for laser hair removal. Our expert therapists will guide you through the process and bring you one step closer to your dream skin!
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