Please read them and tell me what you think, I pasted and copied this from a post of mine in another Keratosis Pilaris forum. I know it's a lot but every little bit helps right?

www.drgreene.com/21_84.html


Quote:
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The same manufacturers also make Lazer Creme, a gentle, natural moisturizer formulated for keratosis, and containing both vitamins A and E. (On the opposite extreme, chemotherapeutic agents used to treat cancer have as one of their few slightly positive side effects that they improve or eliminate keratosis pilaris -- obviously not worth it as a treatment.
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(Umm why would that be? But, like he says not much of an option.)

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entr...=iconabstr

Treatment of keratosis pilaris atrophicans with the pulsed tunable dye laser.

Clark SM, Mills CM, Lanigan SW.

Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, Wales, UK.

BACKGROUND: Few therapies are currently available to treat keratosis pilaris atrophicans (KPA), a spectrum of disorders which includes ulerythema ophryogenes and atrophoderma vermiculata. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the response of KPA to treatment with the pulsed dye laser (PDL) with regard to improvements in erythema and skin roughness, treatment tolerability, and side effects. METHODS: Treatment of all facial areas involved with KPA with the PDL at 585 nm was evaluated in 12 patients. Prior to and after each treatment skin erythema was estimated using an erythema meter, and skin roughness was analysed using micrometer evaluation of a skin surface biopsy taken from the same mapped area and analysed by computer to calculate the roughness profile. RESULTS: Patients received 2 to 8 treatments with the PDL with energies ranging from 6.0 to 7.5 J/cm2. Clinical improvement was noted in all patients with significant reduction in erythema scores. Pre-treatment scores ranged from 4 to 13 (mean 8.3) and post-treatment 0 to 8 (mean 3.1) (P < 0.05). Improvements in skin roughness were clinically apparent in all but two patients, but these were not significant on evaluation of skin surface biopsies. Treatment was generally well tolerated, and side effects other than local pain during treatment were very few. CONCLUSION: PDL treatment appears to be a safe and effective treatment for the erythema associated with KPA but does not give significant improvement in associated skin roughness. (Anyone ever hear about this? So there saying it works or it doesn't?)

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entr...t=Abstract
Recalcitrant scarring follicular disorders treated by laser-assisted hair removal: a preliminary report.

Chui CT, Berger TG, Price VH, Zachary CB.

Department of Dermatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, California, USA.

BACKGROUND: Recalcitrant scarring follicular disorders have been treated previously by removing hair follicles both surgically by scalp resection with skin grafting and with X-ray epilation. Laser-assisted hair removal may provide an alternate method of hair removal with less associated morbidity. OBJECTIVE: The goal is to determine whether laser-assisted hair removal can be used to treat follicular inflammatory disorders by destroying hair follicles. METHODS: Three patients with various scarring follicular disorders (dissecting cellulitis of the scalp, keratosis pilaris spinulosa decalvans, and pseudofolliculitis barbae) were treated with the long-pulse non-Q-switched ruby laser and followed clinically. RESULTS: The patients tolerated the treatments well without significant side effects and noted improvement of their condition along with decreased hair growth in the treated area. CONCLUSION: Laser-assisted hair removal may provide a safe, effective means of treating recalcitrant follicular disorders.
(Ok laser hair removal is something I'd be willing to try, because even if it didn't help my KP I'd be hair free. Seriously, I think this might help. With me for instance I noticed that I have patches of KP free areas on my legs where hair doesn't grow anymore, and this is just because I use an epilator (sp?) and sometimes hair stops growing back.)

And here's another site referring to laser hair removal as beneficial for KP.

www.drmarylupo.com/laserhair.htm

Since 1984, Dr. Lupo has established an international reputation in her ability to perform the following dermatology procedures:

LASER HAIR REMOVAL:

After eight years of research and testing, I have found that the most effective equipment available today is the Lightsheer XC® by Lumenis. The Coherent Laser is FDA approved for permanent hair reduction. It works through a process by which the growing hair in the follicle absorbs the light energy of the laser. Multiple sessions are necessary to get all the hairs as they cycle through their individual growth cycles. Since white hair has no pigment to absorb the light energy from the laser, it won't eliminate white hairs. The patented Chilltip® feature reduces discomfort and reduces surface damage to the skin. We've used this system successfully in our office since December, 1998.

Reasons for Laser Hair Removal:

Cosmetic, permanent hair reduction
Ingrown hairs, folliculitis, keratosis pilaris
Not for blonde or white hair
Pretreatment protocol
No tanning 4 weeks prior
No electrolysis 4 weeks prior
No waxing 4 weeks prior
No Retin A, or AHA use 3 days prior
No shaving 2 days prior
No Accutane use 6 months prior
Test sites suggested
Used mainly on face, underarms, bikini, also legs, arms, back, buttocks, abdomen, breasts
Average number of sessions needed and recommended 3-6

Low dose chemotherapy is used for other conditions besides cancer. I took it for Ankylosing Spondylitis and it worked if you don't mind spending 24-48's in bed with chemo inuced flu symptoms once a week. Some people say KP is an autoimmune disease, and low dose chemo is used for autoimmune forms of arthritis.
Holly

It has been talked about elsewhere on this forum. I remember mention that people with dark hair and light skin reap the greatest benefit. I think it is definitely worth following up on. I've thought about it for my arms, but my hairs are blond and my skin is olive, so I don't think I would be a good candidate.

Venusenvy did your KP clear up after the low dose of chemo? Do you think a doctor would be willing to administar low dosis of chemo for a condition like KP.

I don't actually have KP, my daughter does. I don't think a doctor would prescribe it for KP, too much of a risk and a PIA. You can still have your hair fall out, oral ulcers and it increases your risk for leukemia down the road. Plus, it is just an awful thing to take. You only take it once a week but it makes you sick for 24 hours. I just couldn't do anything but lie in bed. I really feel for people taking it for cancer.
Holly

I guess thinking about Chemo just for KP is a little off base, it's just that sometimes it really does bother me, and I would be willing to go through a lot of things if it meant I would be cured. Thanks.