How to Get Rid of Keratosis Pilaris: Treating Upper Arm Bumps

If, as a child, your upper arms were constantly marked by tiny, pimple-like white or red bumps that resembled goosebumps, you weren't alone. Called keratosis pilaris, this inherited but harmless skin disorder is estimated to affect 50% of adolescents overall and 80% of girls. While some kids outgrow keratosis pilaris, it is a lifelong condition for many people. In fact, 40% of adults today are estimated to have it.

Keratosis pilaris isn't isolated to the upper arms, however. It can also be found on the upper thighs, buttocks and even cheeks and be accompanied by red, inflamed areas of skin. And yet, keratosis isn't painful; it's just cosmetic. For that reason, you'll find plenty of content around the topic on fashion and beauty sites.

What Causes Keratosis Pilaris?

While researchers are not entirely sure of the cause of keratosis pilaris, the prevailing theory is that it is a disorder of keratinization - the process whereby skin cells are pushed up through the layers of skin and sloughed off when dead. In the case of those who have the condition, the skin cells don't shed properly and instead build up in the hair follicles, ultimately becoming keratin plugs that block the pores and create bumps. 

For many individuals, the severity of keratosis pilaris varies with the seasons. In winter, the condition worsens, while it improves in summer or in humid climates.

Keratosis Pilaris Treatment

There is no "cure" for keratosis pilaris. Rather, the goal of treatment is to manage the condition, thereby minimizing the presence of bumps and redness. In general keratosis pilaris can be greatly improved with a consistent routine that incorporates the steps below using products formulated with the right combination of ingredients. 

Gentle Cleansing

Rather than using harsh soaps or body washes, use a glycerin bar, African black soap or other gentle cleanser on your skin. Many body washes are formulated with lathering agents that dry out the skin, which makes keratosis pilaris worse. 

Exfoliate

Because of its nature as a keratinization disorder, exfoliation is the gold standard for treatment due to its ability to thin the keratin layer of dead skin cells and encourage cellular turnover. Consider the daily application of a chemical exfoliator formulated with alpha-hydroxy acids like glycolic acid or lactic acid, or salicylic acid (a beta-hydroxy acid). As the condition improves, exfoliation should be continued but can be spaced out to every other day or every few days.

Many individuals have seen positive improvement through mechanical exfoliation, as well. However, care is needed to ensure the skin exfoliation isn't too aggressive, as this could result in inflammation and a worsening of the condition. Dry brushing is one gentle method worth considering.

Moisturize

Avoiding dry skin is important to ensuring that keratosis pilaris doesn't worsen. Use a hydrating  body lotion daily - one that includes humectants to draw moisture to skin tissue, such as sorbitol, glycerin or urea, and emollients to help smooth skin and improve barrier function, such as lanolin, jojoba oil and petrolatum.

Professional Treatments

If keratosis pilaris doesn't improve after several weeks of consistent implementation of the skin care steps suggested above, it's may be time to see a professional. Dermatologists may prescribe retinoids or oral isotretinoin to address the issue, and may refer you for laser treatments. Additionally, some estheticians offer treatments intended to minimize the effects of keratosis pilaris.