If you’ve experienced outbreaks of tiny bumps on your skin that resemble goosebumps, odds are good that you’ve experienced keratosis pilaris. New Jersey’s Skin & Laser Center of NJ explains that this is a common skin condition impacting more than half of all teenagers and approximately 40 percent of adults. These rough bumps are actually plugs of dead skin cells that most commonly appear on the upper arms and thighs, but can appear anywhere. Children may also have these bumps on their cheeks. Children and teenagers are most likely to develop this skin condition, which may flare during puberty—though they may grow out of it as they get older.
The good news is that keratosis pilaris is not dangerous and usually clears up on its own. For patients who are bothered by the itch, dryness, inflammation, or general appearance of these bumps, Skin & Laser Center of NJ offers several creams, gels, and ointments to help improve this texture. While many patients only experience flares during the winter, those who live in a dry climate or frequently swim in a pool may experience the bumps year round. Other risk factors that may increase a patient’s chance of getting keratosis pilaris include having relatives with the condition, fair or light skin, asthma, dry skin, eczema, hay fever, ichthyosis (a condition that causes very dry skin), and taking the medication vemurafenib to treat melanoma.
In late 2016 she founded the Skin & Laser Center of NJ, LLC in Mahwah, NJ where she continues to treat her medical and cosmetic patients, and further pursues her interest in laser medicine. Dr. Lieb’s mission is to provide high quality dermatologic care using up-to-date medical information and cutting edge technology in an efficiently run practice. Dr. Lieb is board certified in dermatology, is a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, a member of the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery, the American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery, and the New Jersey Dermatologic Society. Dr. Lieb is a Staff Dermatologist at The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood.
The first step in treating keratosis pilaris is a formal diagnosis. The providers at Skin & Laser Center of NJ can offer a diagnosis after discussing your health and medical history and conducting an examination of the skin lesions. This process is painless and usually takes a few minutes. After a diagnosis is made, we will discuss the best treatment options for you.
Many people with keratosis pilaris are unbothered by the condition and never seek professional treatment. For those who do find the condition to be uncomfortable, it can be treated topically with chemical exfoliants that work to remove the dead skin. Keratosis pilaris treatment at Skin & Laser Center of NJ is noninvasive and effective. The following topical treatments are popular methods for addressing the signs of keratosis pilaris:
Note that applying a moisturizing cream or ointment is effective, especially after bathing while the skin is still moist. This seals the water from the bath or shower into the skin so it can heal.
Patients may also benefit from routine exfoliation, though it is not recommended to do this more than once per week. Stopping treatment may cause the keratosis pilaris bumps to return.
Skin & Laser Center of NJ in Ramsey provides a wide range of medical, surgical, and cosmetic services for patients in and around New Jersey. Patients can get diagnosis and treatment for acne, skin cancer (with Mohs surgery), chronic conditions (like psoriasis, rosacea, and eczema), moles, melasma, vitiligo, athlete’s foot, toenail fungus, scabies, contact dermatitis, and more. Cosmetic options include wrinkle-relaxing BOTOX® and Dysport®, dermal fillers like Juvederm® and Restylane®, Kybella® for reducing a double chin, chemical peels, Hydrafacial MD, microneedling, laser hair removal, laser acne treatments, laser scar treatments, laser tattoo removal, CoolSculpting®, laser vein treatments, sclerotherapy, and more.
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