How To Get Rid Of Strawberry Skin In 8 Simple Ways
As much as all of us aspire for a silky-smooth skin post-shaving, reality is far from it. Razor cuts, burns, and strawberry skin tag along free of charge. Out of which, the latter can be pretty nasty to deal with. Those annoying black dots that resemble the seeds of strawberries can arise due to many reasons – one may call it a symptom of keratosis pilaris, an outcome of wearing tight clothes, or just a keep-sake of sensitive skin. Whatever the reason maybe for you, treating strawberry skin is NOT like moving a mountain. Here’s how you can fix it.
What causes strawberry skin?
It occurs when the hair follicles are clogged with dirt, oil and skin debris. This built-up oxidizes and darkens when exposed to open air. So eventually, your skin has enlarged, black pores that look like blackheads, or ‘strawberry skin.’ If this is accompanied by red bumps and the lesions are mostly around the upper arms and the thigh area, then it is a separate condition called Keratosis pilaris. It is not harmful, but you should be seeking a dermat’s help for the same.
How to deal with strawberry skin?
1. Dry brushing your skin
Dry brushing is a great way to exfoliate and loosen up the dirt trapped in the pores. 2-3 days prior to when you want to shave, use a body brush with soft bristles and move it in circular motions all over your skin. Do this for a good 5-7 minutes. Then take a warm water bath or soak your skin in warm water to draw out impurities.
2. Allow your skin to breathe
Wearing clothes that are too tight or aren’t made from skin-friendly materials can cause a lot of friction on skin. This leads to inflammation, bumps and clogged pores. Opt for loose-fitted and breathable materials like cotton and linen instead.
3. Regular exfoliation
Whether you like physical scrub or chemical exfoliators, one thing that you must remember is that exfoliation is a must. It loosens up the dirt and oil that gets accumulated in your pores when you shave. If you’re using a scrub, use a gentle motion and make sure to use a mild product. Being harsh or using abrasive products can actually irritate your skin and cause dryness. On the other hand, glycolic acid and salicylic acid are perfect to refine pores and speed up the shedding of dead skin cells.
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4. Moisturize!
You need to moisturize, a lot. It’s bold, italics and underlined for extra emphasis. By thumb rule, each time you exfoliate your skin, you must follow it up with a moisturizer. Doing this will replenish your skin of its lost moisture, keep pores healthy and rid you of the dryness caused due to strawberry skin. Use a light-weight body crème post-showering on damp skin and also repeat it once before sleeping.
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5. Hair removal, the right way
Incorrect way to epilate your body hair, is one known and sure-shot reason for strawberry skin. If you prefer shaving, then make sure of the following steps –
- Always use a good quality razor
- Use a hair conditioner as a lubricant for a smooth and clean shave
- Shave in the direction of growth to avoid in-grown hair
- Avoid going over the same patch again and again
Meanwhile, waxing or epilating are great alternatives to shaving. Although more painful than shaving, these two methods uproot the entire hair from the follicle, which helps nip strawberry skin in the bud.
6. Try a mask
A simple DIY body mask can soothe your skin and dissolve dead skin cells that clog pores. Here’s what you can do – take some baking soda in a glass or wooden bowl and add the required amount of water to make a paste. Baking soda has anti-bacteria and anti-inflammatory properties that makes skin super-smooth and radiant. Apply a layer of this mask on the affected area and allow it to dry. Then small circular motions, rub it off from your skin and wash with lukewarm water.
7. Laser hair removal
Get to the root of the problem (pun intended) with the laser hair removal technique. It’s a good way to take a break from hair removing rituals like shaving, waxing and epilating as well as hair-related problems like in-growth and strawberry skin. The results are long-lasting and very effective. Even when the hair grows back, it is quite thin and the density is sparse.
8. Ice ice!
Watching your fave show? Reading a book? Listening to music? Do some good for your skin in the meantime. You can use regular ice cubes or cubes made with a mixture of water + aloe gel + tea tree oil and rub it on your legs. Icing helps to hydrate skin and keep pores clean and clear.
Strawberries look good only in a fruit bowl, not on your legs!
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