SMOOTHSKIN GLYCOLIC ACID SERUM

SMOOTHSKIN GLYCOLIC ACID SERUM

WHAT IS KERATOSIS PILARIS?

KP is a buildup of excess keratin (aka hyperkeratinization) inside the pores that results in a hardened plug of protein — that characteristic rough bump. Remember that keratin is the most abundant protein in your hair, skin and nails, and is made up of various amino acids. It provides the protective structure, or scaffolding, of the epidermis.

Here’s where things get fuzzy, because exactly what sets off this abnormal keratinization in the first place is still very much up for debate. There are a few theories being investigated, including:

• Dysfunctional keratinization: The prevailing idea for decades now is that a mysterious combination of factors (including genetic mutations and nutrient deficiencies) cause the cells lining hair follicle (aka the epithelium) to produce too much keratin, resulting in a blockage and subsequent protein buildup.
• Hair shaft malformation: Recent research points to circular patterns of hair growth within the follicle leading to an inflammatory response that includes excess keratin production.

While studies continue, this new hypothesis suggests that the keratin buildup is the skin’s response to abnormal hair growth — that perhaps the problem starts with the hair, not with the skin cells.

WHAT DOES KERATOSIS PILARIS LOOK LIKE?

Most often, KP presents as small, hard bumps on the skin’s surface. The bumps can look almost like tiny pimples and feel rough or dry — they may also be itchy and uncomfortable. These bumps tend to be lighter or redder on fair skin and darker on more pigmented skin, but can appear to be white, red, pink, light purple, brown, or black depending on the person’s skin tone.

Keratosis pilaris got the nicknames chicken bumps and chicken skin because the affected area can look like the plucked skin of a chicken. Recently, it’s been dubbed strawberry skin for its resemblance to the tiny, rough seeds on the outside of the berry.

Most commonly, KP appears in these regions:

• Upper arms
• Thighs
• Buttocks
• Back
• Cheeks

Keratosis pilaris bumps can appear as just a few spots, or it can overtake an entire area, looking almost like a rash.

ARE THERE DIFFERENT TYPES OF STRAWBERRY SKIN?

Yes, keratosis pilaris has a few variants, based on how the condition presents and where on the body it’s found. But the two main types include:

• Keratosis pilaris: Yes, the main condition is simply called keratosis pilaris. It may range from relatively asymptomatic (meaning it shows no sign of illness) flesh-colored bumps, to red, irritated and itchy bumps.
• Keratosis pilaris rubra: This the most common variant of KP, and it’s typically found on adolescent boys. KPR has those signature rough, goosebump-like patches that we’ve been describing, but the skin that surrounds the bumps is bright red.