Ever since I was about 12 years old I noticed small bumps along the backs of my upper arms and the backs of my thighs, sometimes even along my rear end, which are symptoms a lot of you are obviously familiar with. Anyways, im now a month and a half away from being 16 and it's really been bothering me to the point where I have no self-esteem whatsoever. I went to my dermatologist and I found out that I have keratosis pilaris. It didn't surprise me since I read up about it prior to the appointment, but I was really sad to know that it was an actual fact that I happened to be one of the many people who are suffering with it. I've been prescribed many different solutions like Retin-A and moisturizers so I know that there are treatments, and everyone reacts differently to them, some people may have it harder and some people may have it easier, but I hate knowing I will have to depend on ointments and creams all of my life knowing that some may not even work. Gah, I dont know. Maybe I just need some advice or tips from some of you I heard that laser hair removal and getting tans can help? I would appreciate any input. Thank you.

~Ronda

Hey
My kp was the worst for me around your age too (I'm 20 now and it has finally started to get better). My suggestion to you is that before you start with all the medicated creams and stuff, first try a really good exfoliation and moisturization routine, and keep it up every day. That usually helps a lot.
Also: don't pick!!! I know it can be hard for a lot of people, me included, because you just want those stupid bumps gone. But I have a lot of scars now which are even harder to get rid of than the kp in the first place. So be nice to your skin.

Best of luck to you, Ronda

Hi!
I had really bad acne as a teen, so I know what you're going through .i did Retin-A and and bunch of other stuff to help. I thought I was free as an adult until the bumps came all the way down my arms. I'm trying a few different creams and I'll let you know how it goes. I'mwondering about the hair removal part myself. Does it have to be laser or can you just wax the hair to help. I used to get full body waxes when I was overseas and I never had a skin problem.

You won't necessarily deal with it for life. I got it when i was 15 and I think I only had it for a year or 2 and it went away on it's own. At the time, I didn't know what it was. I think it may be hormone related because I am 50 now and have some new hormone issues and it has come back in a different place. When I was young I had it more on my thighs. I have also heard of many people getting it when pregnant. That is why I think it might have to do with hormones.

It can just go away.

In the mean time, I would try scrubbing it with some kind of loofah or other type of rough exfoliating sponge and moisturizing or exfoliating soap. Then keep it well moitureized. I am using AmLactin Cream prescribed by my doctor with good results. You can get it in Walmart or Costco very reasonably priced. If that doens't work try pure coconut oil available in health food stores

Just using a good moisturizer everyday on my arms and legs actually helps me a lot and reduces the redness. St. Ives works pretty well for me if I apply it every day.

Palmer's lotion with BHA (teal-aqua, pearlish look bottle)
BBW Eucalyptus Spearmint lotion from their Aromatherapy line. I had tried all sorts of things & this started working in the 1st week. I can only guess it's due to the eucalyptus.