Chicken Skin and Me | My life with Keratosis Pilaris
First off, Keratosis Pilaris is a completely harmless though sometimes unsightly skin condition usually found on the tops of arms, thighs and sometimes even on the cheeks.
It’s often referred to as ‘chicken skin’ because of its rough goose bump like appearance. On Black skin, theres often tiny dark brown or black pin head sized bumps on the skin.
It’s caused when old and dead skin cells clog up the opening of hair follicles at the surface of the skin. Skin cells are made from a protein called Keratin, and when the skin doesn’t exfoliate efficiently the cells build up on the skin causing the rough and dry bumps.
The size and amount of the bumps can change, increasing and decreasing with hormonal changes such as with puberty, pregnancy and menopause. It can be hereditary in some cases and whilst there isn't a total cure for Keratosis Pilaris, there are ways in which its appearance can be improved.
It’s a condition that 34 year old Office Manager, Vivienne Thomas has lived with since she was a teenager, so we’re grateful for her experience on how she has manages the condition.
WHEN DID YOU FIRST EXPERIENCE KERATOSIS PILARIS?
As a teenager during secondary school I started noticing small rough and bumpy patches on the back of my arms. Then they cropped up on the back of my legs too, virtually overnight. It looked like a rash, but it wouldn’t go away and each time I rubbed my arms, I could feel the bumps and my skin also look dull, grey and dry.
HOW DID IT BOTHER YOU?
I was pretty self conscious about it, and would make sure my legs were always covered up and I would avoid strappy tops, even in warm weather. I just didn't like the look of this black rash on my skin and I would scrub at it for ages. I would hate it when relatives commented on it or give me unsolicited advice about bathing better!
HOW DOES IT AFFECT YOU NOW AS AN ADULT?
I know it’s there but I try not to let it bother me day to day. I’ve managed it for so long now. For example I would wear a strappy or short sleeve top now if I was just running to the shops, but I’d think twice if I was going to a formal event like a wedding.
DID YOU VISIT THE DOCTOR?
No, I just didn’t think it was something to visit the doctor for.
I’ve been happy to look online and get a fair idea of what it is. The only difficulty has been because it’s usually described as raised red looking bumps. Mine didn’t look like that. I guess because my skin is darker. Black people don’t tend to get red, do they? So at first I was unsure.
DID YOU TRY ANY AT HOME REMEDIES?
Over the years, I’ve tried a lot of different things. Body brushing but that hurt and made me feel sore, using natural oils and shea butter to moisturise and that seemed to work, but then the Keratosis Pilaris actually just got worse and increased. So really nothing was very successful and I was going round in circles.
ARE THERE TIMES WHEN IT’S WORSE?
It always looks worse in winter, but I suspect that's because of the extra layers and my skin is always drier in winter months, so I guess that contributes to a build up of dead skin.
DO YOU HAVE A TRIED AND TESTED METHOD YOU USE NOW?
For the last few years, I’ve been keeping on top of my body exfoliation all year round as I find this really helps, rather than just waiting till summer time before I take action. I use a gentle loofah in the shower and I like using body scrubs as well.
After I shower, I apply an exfoliating body lotion with glycolic acid on the areas that I have Keratosis Pilaris. I try and apply whilst my skin is still slightly damp. In the winter, I add a little shea butter with it to make it even more moisturising.
BSD TIPS FOR KERATOSIS PILARIS
Keep on top of your body exfoliation all year round because it helps to keep it under control. A retinol body lotion can be handy.
Use AHAs and BHA’s in your body skin care – look for body washes and lotions with glycolic, lactic or salicylic acid in them as that will give you consistent exfoliation.
Keep your skin well moisturised with a hydrating lotions with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerine, urea and squalene.
Soothing and anti-inflammatory ingredients such as niacinamide and ceramides are also helpful.
For extreme cases of Keratosis Pilaris, chemical peels can be helpful to exfoliate the skin and help prevent clogged pores and follicles
See your GP or Dermatologist if you’re worried or topical products aren’t working for you.
