Bumpy Chicken Skin And Body Acne Keratosis Pilaris Back And Chest Acne Removal

Hello, I am Director Lee Haeng, a dermatologist. With the warmer spring weather and lighter clothing, many people are concerned about bumpy skin troubles on their bodies. Keratosis Pilaris, commonly known as 'chicken skin,' and body acne, often called 'body-dureum,' are common skin conditions. While there is a wealth of information online, for those wondering which methods are effective and safe, today I would like to thoroughly address your questions about body troubles and keratosis pilaris.

Normally, the keratin on our bodies naturally undergoes a process of shedding and regeneration. However, when keratin fails to shed and accumulates around hair follicles, causing bumps, this is called Keratosis Pilaris. On the other hand, when keratin and waste products block pores, preventing smooth sebum discharge and leading to the formation of comedones, or when folliculitis occurs due to fungi that feed on sebum and sweat, this is commonly referred to as body acne. Although their appearance can be confusing, with bumps and sometimes red inflammation, these are distinctly different skin conditions. It is important to differentiate them because each requires a suitable treatment method.

Keratosis Pilaris and body acne have several important differences.

• Area of Occurrence:
  • Keratosis Pilaris tends to be evenly distributed over large areas, primarily along the hair follicles on the outer parts of the arms or legs.
  • Body acne typically appears as scattered small folliculitis on areas with developed sebaceous glands, such as the back or chest.
• Contents within Pores:
  • In body acne, sebum may accumulate in the hair follicles, forming comedones.
  • Keratosis Pilaris, however, consists of keratin plugs and does not contain comedones. The difference is that squeezing may release a keratin plug, but not sebum.
• Onset Period:
  • Keratosis Pilaris often has been present for a long time.
  • Body acne is characterized by cycles of improvement and worsening depending on the season or skin environment.

Since both Keratosis Pilaris and body acne are skin conditions caused by keratin, many people believe that vigorous scrubbing or exfoliation will make them disappear. However, these actions can actually irritate the skin and worsen both conditions.

Some of you may have encountered information online about eliminating Keratosis Pilaris with Vaseline. Since Keratosis Pilaris is a condition that tends to worsen when the skin is dry, Vaseline can be tried if simple moisturizers or urea-based moisturizers are insufficient. However, Vaseline can also block pores and cause other troubles, so dermatologists generally do not recommend applying it to areas with Keratosis Pilaris.

• Inducing Keratin Softening and Shedding: Rather than scrubbing or exfoliating, it may be helpful to use a cream-type keratolytic agent or a vitamin A derivative such as retinol ointment to promote the shedding of accumulated keratin. However, urea creams or retinol ointments can be irritating for those with sensitive skin and are not prescribed to pregnant women. Therefore, it is recommended to consult a dermatologist sufficiently before receiving a prescription.
• Sufficient Moisturizing: Both Keratosis Pilaris and body acne tend to appear more readily when the skin is dry, so it is important to apply enough moisturizer to keep the skin hydrated.

Many people believe that body acne worsens in summer due to the hot weather and increased sweating. However, on average, body acne tends to be less severe in summer. This is because people generally wear loose-fitting or cotton clothes that allow for good ventilation in hot weather. Additionally, frequent sweating can lead to immediate washing away of sebum and waste products, which may also contribute to reducing the occurrence of body acne. Nevertheless, if you feel that body acne is particularly prevalent in summer, it is likely that you have a constitution with more active sebum secretion or greater sweat output than others.

Dermatologists provide the following specialized treatments for Keratosis Pilaris and body acne:

• Body Acne Treatment:
  • Extraction and Scaling: If comedones are present, some extraction may be performed. If extraction is not needed, medical skincare, which is excellent for scaling and skin calming, can help reduce inflammation and facilitate smooth sebum discharge.
  • Medication Treatment: Combining treatment with Aklief Cream, a retinoid-based therapeutic agent known to be effective for body acne, may yield better results.
• Keratosis Pilaris Treatment:
  • Peeling: The most common treatment is peeling. Among peelings, Aladdin peeling is known to be effective. The micro-needles with rich mineral components in the special peeling agent penetrate the pores, shedding dead skin cells and promoting skin regeneration, which helps create smoother skin.
  • Redness Improvement: For the common redness associated with Keratosis Pilaris, satisfactory treatment results can be achieved using the Vbeam Prima laser.
  • When accompanied by ingrown hairs: Since Keratosis Pilaris is caused by keratin accumulation in the pores, ingrown hairs, where hair grows curled due to keratin, are common. In such cases, combining treatment with a hair removal laser like GentleMax PRO can be helpful.
• Hyperpigmentation and Scar Treatment:
  • If hyperpigmentation has already occurred from squeezing or picking at body acne or Keratosis Pilaris, it can be improved with pigment laser treatment. We recommend stopping any further squeezing or touching and promptly visiting a nearby dermatology clinic for a consultation.

We have now explored various questions and effective treatments for Keratosis Pilaris and body acne. We hope you maintain clean and healthy skin through accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.