Keratosis pilaris is frustrating to treat because there is no specific cure for the skin condition. However, there are many things you can do to understand the condition and to reduce its appearance and additional outbreaks.

Is keratosis pilaris dangerous?

No. Keratosis pilaris is a common skin condition where hair follicles are blocked by a build up of keratin or dead skin cells. The condition is not painful or dangerous, although it can be annoying and frustrating.

How do I get rid of keratosis pilaris?

You can’t get rid of keratosis pilaris completely. The condition will usually fade as you grow older. In the meantime, you can reduce the appearance of the condition and hope to prevent additional outbreaks using a careful cleansing and moisturizing regime to treat the affected area. Keeping the areas prone to outbreaks clean and heavily moisturized will help to reduce the number of white bumps and reduce the tell-tale redness that surrounds the bumps as well.

What causes keratosis pilaris?

Keratosis pilaris is caused when excess keratin clogs hair follicles with hard plugs. Unlike acne, the pore is not inflamed, but the hair follicle is simply capped by a hard plug of protein that is difficult to remove and challenging to prevent. A combination of exfoliation and moisture helps to keep additional plugs from forming and softens those already in place reducing the area affected by keratosis pilaris.

Is keratosis pilaris a kind of acne?

Keratosis pilaris is not acne, although it can be confused with acne easily if your face is affected with the white bumps. Keratosis pilaris are plugs of protein clogging hair follicles. Acne is a build up of oils, dirt and other materials inside pores. Keratosis pilaris is not painful and is treated by moisturizing the skin, unlike most acne flare-ups which are treated by drying the affected areas. Keratosis pilaris that affects the face can leave small scars, however, much like acne.

Will regular lotions cure keratosis pilaris?

They can certainly help. Most lotions sold in drug stores are moisturizing to a degree. Finding heavy lotions that are not likely to clog pores further can be a challenge in a regular lotion selection. Even more challenging is finding a lotion that is rich enough to moisturize and contains exfoliating agents to help break down and remove the offending protein plugs.

Does tanning help with keratosis pilaris?

There has not been a formal study or approval by the medical community showing that exposure to the sun helps with keratosis pilaris. Yet it has been shown circumstantially in many cases to help clear up areas affected with the white bumps. Five minutes in a tanning bed or in the sun is said to help with keratosis pilaris. However, unprotected exposure to the sun will have long-term effects as well in the form of advanced aging symptoms and the increased likelihood of skin cancer as well.