Strawberry legs are small black dots that form around hair follicles on the skin, usually near pores and hair follicles. Strawberry legs may result from various factors including enlarged or clogged pores as well as dry skin conditions like Keratosis Pilaris or Folliculitis.
Laser hair removal for legs destroys dark pigmentation and stops new hair growth by targeting the hair follicle directly, and when performed by an experienced and licensed professional it is safe and effective.
Causes
Strawberry legs may be caused by any number of skin conditions, though most can be avoided through proactive measures. Common culprits include shaving, blocked pores and folliculitis.
Strawberry legs could also be caused by the condition known as Keratosis Pilaris, which causes tiny bumps on the skin’s surface that accumulate keratin protein and dead epithelial skin cells that become itchy when dry. Although usually year-round in its effects, flare-ups may occur more frequently during cold weather months or after prolonged exposure to chlorine-based pool chemicals like chlorine. Moisturizers can help relieve discomfort; treatments containing Lactic acid, Urea Acid or Salicylic Acid may reduce inflammation significantly.
Hair folliculitis, often caused by infection or using an outdated razor or poor techniques when shaving, can result in red bumps, itchiness and possibly scarring on legs. This condition can be avoided by switching out razor blades regularly and using appropriate shaving cream or gel.
If someone is susceptible to getting folliculitis from shaving or waxing, an epilator could be an ideal solution. These electrical personal care devices feature mini tweezers which rotate to pull out hair at its root; although initial usage can be painful or uncomfortable, epilators generally end up well tolerated over time and only need to be used every two to three weeks for maximum effectiveness.
Strawberry legs can also be caused or worsened by dry skin, bad self-tanner tans (especially with no-added sunscreen), and excessive sun exposure. People prone to this issue should exfoliate their legs 2-3 times per week using either a scrub or loofah in the shower and moisturizing often – preferably using products without perfumes or dyes as these can irritate skin and increase risk for breakouts. Furthermore, treatments aimed at targeting their root cause (tretinoin or benzoyl peroxide) may provide relief as will treatments such as prescribed skincare products with these active ingredients (again helping).
Symptoms
Strawberry legs is a skin condition characterized by tiny bumps. Its cause lies within oil build-up on legs due to trapped dead cells and hair follicles clogging pores and creating an uneven complexion on legs. Further aggravation comes from shaving, waxing or epilator use that irritates the skin further leading to folliculitis (where bacteria or fungus enter inflamed hair follicles), creating strawberry legs. To minimize risk factors and exfoliation regularly as well as over plucked eyebrows or waxing too often – both may play their parts.
Strawberry legs may give an impression of dry skin, but in reality they’re due to Keratosis Pilaris – an often harmless condition caused by protein accumulation within hair follicles, dead cells accumulation, redness, itching and an overall scaly appearance.
Destroying strawberry legs at home doesn’t need to be difficult, though its success will depend on your individual symptoms and causes. Exfoliation is helpful in whisking away dead skin cells that accumulate on pores while helping keep them clear – use loofahs or gentle scrubs rather than electric devices for this process. Chemical exfoliants like glycolic acid may also work to dissolve any build-ups on skin’s surface that prevent healthy circulation.
If you suffer from folliculitis, your dermatologist will likely recommend anti-fungal cream or antibiotics to address the infection that’s causing it. For strawberry legs due to keratosis pilaris, body lotion containing ingredients that break down keratin clumps and reduce inflammation may help. One option may be Body Butter from Skinfix which contains alpha and beta hydroxy acids as well as salicylic acid to exfoliate skin while soothing inflammation.
Laser hair removal is a fast, effective, and permanent way to eliminate strawberry legs for good. Utilizing cutting-edge laser technology that converts light rays into heat waves that target dark pigment in hair follicles so as to render them ineffective in producing new growth of hair, laser therapy can permanently diminish or eradicate all future hair growth in affected areas over time. A series of treatment sessions should provide permanent reduction in growth.
Treatment
Strawberry Skin dark spots, commonly referred to by their nickname of Strawberry Spots, are actually enlarged hair follicles or clogged pores that appear darker after shaving, waxing, or using other common hair removal methods such as electrolysis or laser treatment. Dermatologist Marisa Garshick describes these open comedones containing excess oil, dead skin cells, bacteria and hair follicle debris as open comedones which contain excess oil, which over time accumulates and eventually oxidizes in sunlight making these open comedones look darker.” When exposed to air this gunk accumulates, making these open comedones appear darker in appearance causing their contents to oxidize and become apparent as open comedones become visible and darker.”
Folliculitis (inflamed, clogged or blocked hair follicles) and keratosis pilaris are two causes that may contribute to this condition, with each contributing their own symptoms to create bumpy patches and reddening of legs. When both conditions coexist they can aggravate each other creating rough and bumpy skin.
One of the key steps you can take to prevent strawberry legs is keeping up with your skincare regimen. This involves regularly exfoliating in the shower using either physical or chemical scrubs, and using moisturizing body cream that contains ingredients such as glycolic and lactic acids for dead skin removal, salicylic acid for clearing clogged pores, bisabolol (an extract from chamomile that calms skin) etc.
Microdermabrasion and chemical peels may help dissolve the dark pigmentation that creates strawberry legs; however, these procedures must be performed with caution as they could cause scarring, blistering, changes to skin coloration or other complications that require additional medical intervention.
Laser hair removal can be an effective treatment for strawberry legs by preventing ingrown hairs – which are the source of many of their bumps – from growing back. Furthermore, it’s safe to use on all skin types and colors including those with tanned or darker complexions. At Optimum Laser Hair Removal we have state-of-the-art equipment and knowledgeable technicians that guarantee amazing results from treatment sessions at our center.
Results may differ depending on who is being treated for strawberry legs; however, generally speaking you should expect a significant reduction in dark spots and ingrown hairs after six or more treatments with laser hair removal at Optimum Laser Hair Removal. Our customized packages ensure you achieve results tailored to both your skin type and budget needs.
Prevention
Strawberry legs may not be totally preventable, but you can take steps to lessen their appearance. One effective strategy is exfoliating and moisturizing regularly – two steps which can significantly improve skin appearance. Furthermore, using an electric razor with moisturizing shaving cream may reduce irritation caused by hair follicles being visible through your skin, and cause strawberry legs.
An additional way to help prevent strawberry legs is using a loofah or washcloth on your legs before shaving to avoid rubbing the blades into clogged hair follicles, clearing away gunk and preventing it from oxidizing, leading to dark spots on your skin that could potentially appear later.
Be mindful that folliculitis is actually perfectly normal and healthy; this occurs when bacteria or pus gets into a hair follicle and causes an itchy red bump or scab that doesn’t heal on its own. Folliculitis may be caused by friction between clothing or razor shaving blades rubbing against legs, as well as environmental factors like excessive sunlight exposure.
If you notice many black dots, they could be caused by enlarged follicles and clogged pores, according to Dr. Garshick. Widening of your follicles allows bacteria and dead skin cells to gather inside them before being released back into the atmosphere and turning darker with age, as explained by Garshick.
Keratosis pilaris (KP), which causes goosebumps or “chicken skin”, can also contribute to strawberry spots on skin. Though hereditary, this condition can be managed using exfoliators with salicylic or glycolic acids and moisturizing products rich in ceramides that provide additional hydration – two key features when dealing with KP.
However, laser hair removal remains the optimal treatment option for strawberry legs. This FDA-approved, noninvasive procedure offers a quick and painless solution to eliminating the hair follicles responsible for this condition. At Body Details True Laser Centers we offer this procedure with Soprano Ice Platinum device as an efficient means of directly attacking these follicles for strawberry leg prevention.
