Anar Mikailov, MD, has handled keratosis pilaris, a pores and skin situation that ends in bumps on the pores and skin (sometimes called “hen pores and skin” or “strawberry legs”) since he was in highschool. “I grew to become fairly embarrassed and tried to develop a tan each summer time particularly to camouflage these bumps,” he says. As soon as he was in medical college and realized what the bumps have been, he began the usual types of remedy: chemical exfoliation with elements like salicylic and lactic acid.
“Dermatologists at the moment primarily really helpful numerous exfoliation approaches however my pores and skin would burn, tingle, and never tolerate any exfoliation merchandise,” says Dr. Mikailov, who’s now a board-certified dermatologist in Burlington, Massachusetts. “Finally, I began an extended journey to develop a non-exfoliation-based product that will grow to be KPAway.
This skin-care line focuses on moisturization with elements like jojoba oil, squalane, and coconut oil.
“For my pores and skin kind–delicate, eczema-prone–I can solely tolerate non-exfoliation approaches that concentrate on repairing the lipid barrier of the pores and skin,” says Dr. Mikailov. “Based mostly on a number of scientific research, one of many key issues with KP is the shortage of oil-producing sebaceous glands. By changing the pure pores and skin oils, nearly all of people with KP enhance.”
Store Dr. Mikailov’s keratosis pilaris routine
KP Away Moisturizer — $41.00
As soon as Dr. Mikailov is out of the bathe, he places on a soon-to-come KP Away physique oil (“it’s a proprietary mix of squalane oil, jojoba oil, and calendula oil to revive the sebaceous gland actives,” he says). And after 30 to 45 minutes, he applies this moisturizer. “It’s the model’s authentic product and I’ve used it a minimum of day by day for the final eight years,” he says. “This product clears 80 p.c of my KP.” He says he created it together with his kids in thoughts, who had KP as newborns. “I needed to ensure I created an answer that labored for them, was simple to use, and was very fast-absorbing.”
Albolene Moisturizing Cleansing Balm — $10.00
Though that is meant to be a cleaning balm, Dr. Mikailov makes use of it as a restore ointment. “For uncommon instances when the climate is extremely dry, or if I’m washing my arms and sanitizing my arms an awesome quantity (e.g. attributable to sickness), then that is my go-to restore ointment,” he says. This works as a result of the components doesn’t embrace any harsh surfactants. Only a conditioning mix of mineral oil, petrolatum, paraffin, ceresin, and beta-carotene.
Basic suggestions for managing KP
1. Keep away from probably irritating elements
For instance, “I keep away from something that may probably irritate my pores and skin, together with perfume, SLS, and propylene glycol,” says Dr. Mikailov.
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2. Know your pores and skin kind
“Some individuals can tolerate bodily and chemical exfoliators, however the majority can’t. When you can tolerate the exfoliators, then you’re prone to see nice enchancment in your KP with low concentrations of glycolic and lactic acids, that are AHAs,” he says. “However, you probably have fairly delicate pores and skin, then using exfoliators will result in extra frustration.”
3. Know you can’t treatment KP however can handle it
“KP is primarily genetic and may by no means be 100% cured, however you may undoubtedly enhance it,” he says. “That is additionally one thing that takes months to years, not weeks to enhance, so be affected person!”
Listed below are some extra suggestions for treating KP:
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