HOW TO GET RID OF FOLLICULITIS ON THE LEGS AND SAY "STRAWBERRY LEGS" BYE-BYE

The term "Strawberry legs" is a colloquial definition of folliculitis, which we will present today with tips to combat.

INNA CODRU , JULY 19, 2019

"Strawberry Legs": A cute name for a not-so-nice situation. Also known as folliculitis (technical term) or simply pore darkening. It's a nasty shaving effect on the legs that resembles strawberry seeds - hence the pseudonym.

And contrary to what you might think, strawberry legs are not a seasonal disease at all. It's just that we tend to notice them when we put on shorts and skirts in the summer, and not when we wear jeans and leggings all day.

To help clear things up (both literally and figuratively), we asked Dandy Engelman, MD, of Manhattan Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery in New York, to sort this out with us.

FIRST THINGS: WHAT CAUSES STRAWBERRY LEGS?

“Strawberry legs are usually caused by three factors: keratosis pilaris, inflammation of the hair follicles (or the aforementioned folliculitis), or ingrown hairs. They all appear as small bumps on the skin,” explains Engelman. It is important to find out which of these causes is the culprit in order to fix the problem.

In the case of keratosis pilaris, keratin (a protein found in skin, hair, and nails) becomes trapped and "causes a plug to form over the follicular openings, resulting in an uneven surface," says Engelman. To clarify: When keratin builds up, it can clog your hair follicles.

If you've already dealt with these nasty little annoyances on your forearms, then you've already dealt with Keratosis Follicularis and dealing with it (spoiler 😄: exfoliation), which we'll cover in more detail shortly.

Folliculitis occurs when your pores become clogged with sebum, bacteria, dead skin cells, and other debris that we all come into contact with on a regular basis. Once your pores become clogged, it leads to inflamed hair follicles, which usually show up as tiny reddish bumps or small white heads that resemble pimples.

And last but not least, there's something else - ingrown hairs, which, according to Dr. Engelman, "are common to many people and are caused by hair that frizzes and begins to grow under the surface of your skin." They are usually found in the areas you shave or wax, such as the legs, underarms, face, and pubic area.

Okay, now that we know the main causes of strawberry legs, let's move on to the part you may have already scrolled to 😄 ...

HOW CAN STRAWBERRY LEGS BE CURED?

"In general, if you're prone to acne, I would recommend using a chemical exfoliant or a topical that contains lactic acid or glycolic acid regularly," advises Engelman. Both of these ingredients help to quickly get rid of the dead cells that are on the surface of your skin, so they don't build up and increase the chances of clogging your pores.

“Since folliculitis is technically thought to be a mild form of acne, over-the-counter products containing ingredients such as salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide and retinol should do the trick. These products kill bacteria, dry out excess oil, and help renew your skin by removing dead cells, Engelman says.

It is equally important that the problem area of ​​the skin is well hydrated (which is especially important after exfoliating or using products that remove excess oil). Moisturized skin will be firmer, less prone to inflammation, and your hair will grow easier and straighter.

“I like to 'nourish and lubricate' my skin. You can do this too by using body butter and letting it soak in for a while after taking a shower and applying body lotion afterwards. Applying oil and lotion to wet skin will increase skin hydration by retaining some of the water in its upper layers. In addition, the glycerin in the lotion helps to bind water molecules, which not only creates a feeling of firmness, but also softens the skin, Engelman says.

And whatever you do, please don't pluck your pimples - especially with sharp instruments (put the tweezers aside). You don't want to provoke your skin into getting an infection.

Bottom line: When dealing with strawberry legs (or any other skin condition), you need to be patient and give beauty products enough time to do their work. If the situation does not improve within a few weeks, consult a dermatologist.

HOW YOU CAN PREVENT STRAWBERRY LEGS. WHAT TO DO FIRST?

To prevent folliculitis, which is usually caused by sweat, oil, or bacteria, keep a cleansing pad handy at all times. Throw one pack in your bag and use them to cleanse your skin when you're sweating a lot (after a workout or a brisk walk). When you get home, use a gentle body wash that contains salicylic acid to reduce inflammation and keep your pores clean.

To prevent pimples and ingrown hairs, the most important thing you can do is make sure you always use a clean and sharp(!) razor. Ideally, you should immediately throw away the blade as soon as you notice any signs of dullness (a rusty blade, heavy rubbing or twitching of hair while shaving - a total no!). Also, while it's convenient to keep a razor in the shower all the time (it's certainly convenient... BUT), constant proximity to heat and moisture can quickly dampen the blade, so it's best to keep it in the first aid kit or preferably as far away from a humid environment as possible. it is possible.

Dr. Engelman also advises you to shave in the direction your hair grows, "using short, smooth strokes." If you shave in different directions, you're more likely to get razor burn or ingrown hairs due to the different angles they've been shaved."

One final tip: Exfoliate your skin regularly (as above) and keep it hydrated. And say - Bye, strawberry.