Gearing up for an attack on my Keratosis Pilaris
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free skin care · Mon Feb 06, 2012 8:10 am

IMO with most skin conditions it is addressing from many angles simultaneously that is most effective, not one single product or technique.

Have you tried diet modification? Particularly amending the balance of fatty acids in your diet - plenty of long chain omega-3s from oily fish, other healthy fats from olive oil, avocados, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, omega-enriched eggs and so on. Limiting saturated animal fats, omega-6s except GLA. Be aware that many of the omega-6s are inflammatory and counteract the positive effects of DHA, EPA and GLA. Udo's Choice is not the best source of essential fatty acids because it's the balance of long chain O-3s to 0-6s in the Western diet (= food) that is wrong. Unfortunately the conversion rate of short chain omega-3s in seed oils to the useable long chain format is only ~10% for most of us. This means the amounts of seed oils required to correct a chronic EFA deficiency can be prohibitive. It is therefore better to supplement DHA and EPA themselves using concentrated fish body oils or a marine algae extract (for veggies/ vegans), ideally 2-3g per day.

You do not need to purchase expensive AHA/ BHA products, you can purchase lactic acid 88% and concentrated salicylic acid and easily make up your own peels and exfoliating lotions. Do be aware the plugs are keratin (protein) and not simply sebum (as in blackheads) so keratolytics such as urea can also be helpful. Be careful with using any other known irritants or drying ingredients alongside acids or urea or intensive exfoliating, particularly check for sulphate surfactants in your shower gel or body scrubs. You don't want the skin thickening the stratus corneum in order to protect itself or you will be back where you started! Sad

That may be what happened when you used an exfoliating puff. Personally I find body brushing far too irritating, but I do have sensitive skin.

Since KP worsens in dry or cold weather, my suggestion for moisturising would be to use products that replace the lipids found naturally in the skin barrier AND are non-comedogenic (won't block pores). These lipids include long chain saturated fatty acids (stearic and palmitic), cholesterol and ceramides. Fatty acids known to clog pores when applied topically tend to be short chain and/ or unsaturated. Recent research has suggested oleic acid (from olive and other oils) "causes abnormal follicular keratinisation" so you might be wise to avoid this. http://www.nature.com/jid/journal/v124/n5/full/5602810a.html
CeraVe cream supplies many of the required lipids (cholesterol, long chain saturates, ceramides), and can be 'doctored' with lactic acid. Alternatively you might find a pharmacy product containing a higher percentage of urea (keratolytic/ humectants) alongside lanolin (for cholesterol) - I have Flexitol Naturals heel balm which works equally well elsewhere on the body! Also *some* of the Weleda baby calendula range contain a useful percentage of lanolin. Amazon likely stocks Weleda, CeraVe and various foot balms.

Before people start leaping on me about plant oils, please note that I have not said they are totally ineffective, my wording is comparative. If there are any new studies to the contrary I would appreciate a link. Smile

free skin care · Tue Jun 18, 2013 7:56 am

I had KP since a child and now I dont.

Taking 500mg of rutin (a bioflavinoid supplement available anywhere)twice a day for several months cleared it up for good. Now I take it in my protein shake daily.

I moisturize my skin well and exfoliate, but dont use any acids on my skin otherwise. Good luck!

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