Looking for ways to get rid of strawberry legs? Strawberry legs can make you feel self conscious about wearing shorts or a skirt. It seems no matter how many times you shave, they just won’t go away. For those of you who don’t know, keratosis pilaris– commonly known as strawberry legs, are tiny dark spots that seem to appear on your legs after shaving, when your skin is dry, or when it’s cold outside.
Let’s take a deeper dive to see what causes strawberry legs and how to get rid of them.
What Causes Strawberry Legs?
There are a few various things that can cause strawberry legs. One of the most common causes is clogged pores. When your pores become clogged with dead skin cells, oil, and dirt, they can appear dark and enlarged– much like the achene dots on a strawberry.
Strawberry legs can also be caused by ingrown hairs. Ingrown hairs happen when dead skin cells get trapped under the hair follicles, causing the surrounding area to have red and inflamed bumps. You may find it more common to get ingrown hairs on your face or on your pubic area, but they can occur on your legs as well.
In some cases, strawberry legs can also be caused by certain skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis. Or it can simply be caused by genetics. The skin condition keratosis pilaris is hereditary. Strawberry legs are not harmful unless you scratch and cause irritation. Most people want to get rid of strawberry legs due to not liking the appearance or texture.
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How to Get Rid of Strawberry Legs
To get rid of strawberry legs can be a bit tricky. However, there are a few simple things you can do to help improve their appearance.
Use a Sharp Razor
First, make sure you’re using a sharp razor when you shave. A dull razor can cause irritation and lead to ingrown hairs. The razor should be sharp enough where no pressure is needed to be applied when shaving. Don’t shave if the skin is already irritated from being recently shaved.
Exfoliate Your Legs
If you want to get rid of strawberry legs you should also get into the habit of exfoliating your legs before shaving. This will help remove any dead skin cells that could be clogging your pores. After soaking your legs in warm water, rub an exfoliating scrub on your legs and massage in a circular motion. You should be firm enough to scrape off any dead skin cells but not to the point where there is pain or irritation.
Moisturize Your Legs
Make sure you’re using a moisturizing lotion or cream on your legs after shaving. This will help hydrate your skin and prevent future irritation. Strawberry legs are more visible and prone to pop up when your skin is dry. Having properly moisturized legs is essential to keeping strawberry legs at bay.
Use an Epilator
An epilator is a device that uses a small disc to pull out hair from its root. This will allow for a deeper shave and smoother skin, helping minimize the risk of getting strawberry legs. Think of it as a little machine with multiple tweezers that cleanly plucks out hair. It’s a small, hand-held device that comes in wet and dry modes so you can even epilate while in the bathtub (this usually minimizes the pain).
Use Products Containing Salicylic Acid or Glycolic Acid
Another way to help get rid of strawberry legs for good is to use products that have salicylic acid or glycolic acid in them. Salicylic acid and glycolic acid are both ingredients that are commonly used in skincare products. Glycolic acid is great at exfoliating your skin, clearing pores, and healing sun damage. Salicylic acid helps remove dead skin cells, calms inflammation, and can help reduce sebum, one of the main culprits of clogging pores. There are many body washes and lotions that can be found over-the-counter that contain both ingredients.
See a Dermatologist
If you still can’t seem to get rid of your strawberry legs, consider seeing a dermatologist for further treatment options. They can offer procedures like laser hair removal and skin resurfacing. These methods can be quite expensive and may not be covered by insurance. If you decide to go this route, be sure to consult with a board certified dermatologist to ensure that you are getting the best possible treatment.
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Are Strawberry Legs Unattractive?
While you may dislike the appearance of your strawberry legs, have you ever heard anyone say they weren’t attracted to someone because of their strawberry legs? Perhaps there are a few particularly picky people out there who may consider a common condition like strawberry legs a deal breaker, but do you really want to be with them anyways?
Strawberry legs are a natural part of women’s and men’s bodies, and are nothing to be ashamed of. If you don’t want to go through the effort of trying to get rid of strawberry legs, why not embrace them– so long as they’re not causing irritation. Some may even consider them cute!
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