What Is Strawberry Skin or Strawberry Legs?
Strawberry skin is the term used to refer to ingrown hairs that leave the skin red and occur most often on the legs. The other term for strawberry skin is strawberry legs for this reason. It’s also the term used as a catchall for various skin conditions, such as keratosis pilaris and folliculitis.
Strawberry skin is referred to as such because it shares the appearance of strawberry-like spots on the skin. Dark spots will appear in the same spots as hair follicles and skin pores, so like a dotted or pitted appearance.
You might have also heard of the term “chicken skin” before as well. Strawberry skin isn’t typically associated with any pain or itchy, irritable sensations, unlike other skin conditions that deal with ingrown hair follicles.
But what are ingrown hairs? Basically, an ingrown hair follicle happens when the pore becomes clogged with dead skin cells, dirt, and other debris. Clogged pores can also be a result of neglected or improper hygiene.
What Causes Strawberry Skin?
There are a multitude of underlying causes of strawberry legs, and the most common underlying cause is irritated hair follicles.
Shaving
Using a dull razor can cause strawberry skin because the dull blade can easily irritate the skin. Using a dull razor can also lead to the development of ingrown hairs. This is especially true for those with sensitive skin.
Skin Conditions
Two common skin conditions that can lead to the development of strawberry skin are folliculitis and keratosis pilaris.
Folliculitis is an infection of hair follicles, which leads to inflammation. This skin condition looks similar to acne and is often caused by shaving, bathing in excessively hot water, and sweating. It can be easy to treat folliculitis by making sure to wash your gym clothing regularly, shower often, and make sure to use a sharp razor when shaving.
Keratosis pilaris shares a similar appearance to strawberry skin but is technically a different skin condition. This is a benign, harmless skin condition that happens due to an excess of keratin in the body. These bumps are painless and typically disappear by the age of 30. Keratosis pilaris is the condition also known as “chicken skin” and can appear as red, brown, or black spots on the arms and other areas of the body.
Clogged Skin Pores
Skin pores can become easily clogged due to dirt, debris, oil, and dead skin. When you’re working out, sweat and oil can mix with bacteria and dead skin cells and lead to the creation of strawberry skin.
Also, shaving opens the skin pores up to dirt and oil. Leaving pores open is an easy way for strawberry skin to form, so a common remedy for this is salicylic acid. It helps to clear out pores, reduce inflammation and redness, and can also help clear up other skin conditions, like acne.
Glycolic acid is another compound that is commonly used to clear clogged skin pores. It helps to exfoliate the skin and clean the skin of dead skin cells. Not only will it help clear out pores, but it also helps to improve the texture of your skin and offer a hydrating boost.
Dry Skin
While dry skin isn’t necessarily a cause of strawberry skin, it can be an accelerant. Dry skin is more easily irritated, which is the perfect place for strawberry skin to form. Dry skin will also make strawberry skin more visible.
Are Strawberry Legs Bad?
Strawberry skin frequently occurs among both teen and adult populations. By the time people reach the age of 30, strawberry skin typically corrects itself and disappears. Remember that it is a harmless skin condition that can also be easily corrected in the majority of cases.
How to Treat Strawberry Skin
There are a few methods you can try to get rid of your strawberry legs and arms. When treating strawberry skin, remember that treatment is heavily focused on skincare and caring for your hair follicles.
Use Gentle Cleansers and Moisturizers
Avoid using any heavily fragranced and chemically packed cleansers in your skincare routine. Instead, opt for sensitive and gentle cleansers that are hydrating, and moisturizers that are designed for sensitive skin.
Avoid Rushing Your Shave Routine
Shaving naturally is an irritant to skin, so it’s highly recommended that if you have to shave, take your time. The more precise and careful the shave is, the less irritation and inflammation the hair follicles will experience. Also, remember to shave with the grain of your hair growth, not against it.
Try Using Exfoliators and Retinol Body Lotion
Exfoliation, whether chemical or manual, can help keep your pores clear of dirt and oil. Exfoliating at least once or twice a week, depending on your preferred method, is an easy task to add to any skincare routine.
Retinol body lotion helps to smooth out your skin texture and is best used right after bathing and exfoliation.
Consider Chemical Peels
This is a medical therapy method that can be a great option to consider if you are dealing with a particularly severe or persistent case of strawberry legs. Chemical peels work by exfoliating the skin and removing the top layer to reveal fresh skin underneath. Chemical peels come in three levels: light, medium, and deep.
A chemical exfoliation can correct discoloration and redness, scarring, including scars from acne and clogged hair follicles. However, before a chemical peel session, please remember not to use retinol products beforehand for at least 48 hours. It’s recommended to stop using any skin products for your strawberry skin for a week before a chemical peel.
How to Prevent Strawberry Skin
Many solutions for strawberry skin revolve around personal hygiene and routine. However, in extreme cases, there are a few other options to consider if the at-home solutions aren’t cutting it.
Use Moisturizing Shaving Cream
Alongside using a sharp razor when shaving, you should also use moisturizing shaving cream to help nurture the freshly exposed skin. This helps to prevent dry skin, therefore preventing an opportunity for strawberry skin to occur.
Also, make sure to pay attention to how you are shaving. It’s common practice to shave against the grain and pattern of your hair, but you actually want to shave with the grain. This helps to decrease the level of irritation and prevent razor burn.
Shaving during or after your shower or bath is also recommended. Avoid applying too much pressure on your skin with the razor, and remember to rinse the razor occasionally as you shave.
Laser Hair Removal
Permanent hair removal can resolve the issue of strawberry skin as a result of shaving by removing hair at its root. There are two methods to this approach that you can consider. Standard laser hair removal is the typical route that people choose to take.
Laser hair removal is a great option for those who are tired of shaving and working around disturbed and irritated hair follicles. In most cases, you will most likely need to attend two to six sessions to see permanent or long-lasting results. However, be aware that this route may cause burns, scarring, or discoloration.
The other route you could choose is electrolysis. Electrolysis uses electrical currents at a low level in order to remove hair follicles. There may be some slight discomfort after your sessions, and you may need to go back for multiple sessions before seeing a visible difference. However, this route doesn’t typically have the scarring side effects that laser hair removal does.
Try Using an Epilator
Instead of going to a beauty salon that deals with hair removal, you can try a different kind of at-home treatment known as the epilator. This device is basically a powerful type of tweezer that removes hair at the root. However, this method can cause discomfort and can only be used once every few weeks.
Remember to Exfoliate and Moisturize
Although a moisturizing shaving cream will help, you should also consider adding a gentle moisturizer in general to your skincare routine. A moisturizer for sensitive skin is typically the best type since it can be used for all skin types.
Exfoliation is another box to add to your skincare routine. Exfoliating is one of the best ways to keep your pores unclogged, but it also softens the skin’s surface. To start exfoliating, you can use a washcloth or a loofah sponge, gently running it in small circles across the body. Exfoliating can also be done through dry brushing, which is when you take a soft, dry brush and gently run it over the skin.
Exfoliating and moisturizing will help prevent clogged pores and ingrown hair follicles from occurring, therefore helping to prevent strawberry legs and arms.
Ask a Doctor About Medical Therapies
In more severe cases of strawberry skin, medical therapies might be the best option to begin with. Medical therapy treatments for strawberry legs often works with chemical exfoliants, including alpha-hydroxy acids such as glycolic acid. A dermatologist might also want to use retinoids.
Working with your doctor or dermatologist from the beginning might not only help to improve the appearance of strawberry legs but might also be able to determine the exact or underlying condition.
When Should You See a Doctor for Strawberry Skin?
If your strawberry skin is causing any pain or discomfort, you should contact your doctor immediately. If you happen to notice any spots that don’t look like the rest of your strawberry skin, you should schedule a consultation with your doctor.
Even though strawberry skin is also harmless, it is always welcome and recommended to see a doctor about it just in case and before you start treating it at home.
