Keratosis pilaris (KP) is a condition that makes you look like you have “chicken skin”. These tiny bumps (they often appear in a lattice formation) usually occur at your upper arms or outer calves, however, they can show up anywhere on your body, even your face.

To treat KP and ingrown hairs, you have to:

1)      Exfoliate

2)      Moisturize/Protect

Exfoliators and moisturizers have a synergistic effect on your KP. Exfoliating the surface of your skin helps keep your pores clear, while moisturizing keeps your skin conditioned and prevents the buildup of dead and dry skin cells.

To exfoliate, you can dry skin brush, buff with a loofah, or use body scrubs in the shower. You can also apply products with AHAs or BHAs, such as AmLactin or LacHydrin. Body skin is generally much tougher than facial skin so you can exfoliate every day if you want. I actually dry skin brush twice a day to keep my KP at bay.

With a consistent routine of exfoliating and moisturizing, you will probably see good results in about one or two weeks.

Sometimes using gentler body soaps, shower gels, or installing a shower filter will further help reduce KP. You also shouldn't try to pick at the places where you have KP because that will only damage the follicle even more and cause possible scarring.