Anar Mikailov, MD, has handled keratosis pilaris, a pores and skin situation that ends in bumps on the pores and skin (also known as “rooster pores and skin” or “strawberry legs”) since he was in highschool. “I turned 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 faculty and realized what the bumps had been, he began the usual types of therapy: chemical exfoliation with elements like salicylic and lactic acid.
“Dermatologists at the moment primarily advisable varied 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. “In the end, I began a protracted journey to develop a non-exfoliation-based product that might develop into 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 target 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, the vast majority of people with KP enhance.”
Store Dr. Mikailov’s keratosis pilaris routine
KP Away Pores and skin Polish — $21.00
“Whereas showering, I attempt to use both water alone, or two to 3 instances per week I take advantage of the KP Away Pores and skin Polish,” says Dr. Mikailov. “It is a distinctive system that has jojoba wax beads, that are absorbing exfoliators.”
Store Now 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 unique product and I’ve used it not less than each day for the final eight years,” he says. “This product clears 80 % of my KP.” He says he created it together with his youngsters in thoughts, who had KP as newborns. “I wished to verify I created an answer that labored for them, was simple to use, and was very fast-absorbing.”
Store Now Albolene Moisturizing Cleaning 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 fingers and sanitizing my fingers an amazing quantity (e.g. because of sickness), then that is my go-to restore ointment,” he says. This works as a result of the system doesn’t embody any harsh surfactants. Only a conditioning mix of mineral oil, petrolatum, paraffin, ceresin, and beta-carotene.
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Common suggestions for managing KP
1. Keep away from doubtlessly irritating elements
For instance, “I keep away from something that may doubtlessly irritate my pores and skin, together with perfume, SLS, and propylene glycol,” says Dr. Mikailov.
2. Know your pores and skin kind
“Some folks can tolerate bodily and chemical exfoliators, however the majority can not. 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. “Alternatively, when you have fairly delicate pores and skin, then using exfoliators will result in extra frustration.”
3. Know you can’t remedy KP however can handle it
“KP is primarily genetic and might 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 here are some extra suggestions for treating KP:
