Go Cold Turkey on Scrubbing Your 'Chicken Skin'

Sometimes I feel bad for chickens.  They are constantly associated with cowardice.  They get stuck with movies like Chicken Little while everyone's favorite fowl are The Mighty Ducks.  They can't cross the road without someone asking "why?".   And even if they live a long, happy, chicken life without being turned into fingers or nuggets, they are forever stuck in a philosophical limbo--wondering if they came before, or after, the egg.  

I regret to inform you that this post adds one more blemish to the chicken's bad rap: the unsightly and undesirable condition keratosis pilaris, more commonly known as 'chicken skin'.  If you've ever noticed little red bumps on the backs or your arms, on your legs, or sometimes across the top of your back, you might be suffering from this annoying skin condition and have no idea how to get rid of it.  

I remember first noticing those little bumps on the backs of my arms in high school and my mom told me I just needed to exfoliate more.  But no matter how much I scrubbed, the bumps didn't go away.   It got worse in winter when my skin was dry and wasn't as bad in the summer when I was out in the sun and moisturizing a lot more to help extend my tan.  I never saw a dermatologist about it because it wasn't painful or anything--just annoying.  

It took a while before I decided to do some research on my own into what was causing these little bumps and whether I could do anything to get rid of them.  I discovered that a lot of people suffer from the same condition and it has a name: keratosis pilaris.  If you need an extra blow to your self-esteem you can also call it chicken skin.  Cute.  And while I can rely on my mom to help me through a breakup or recommend a good book to read, it turns out that she's not well versed in chicken skin advice.  Exfoliating and roughly scrubbing keratosis pilaris will dry out your skin and make the little red bumps worse.  Thanks a lot mom (JK--I know I was your first kid and therefore your guinea pig so I don't actually blame you). 

So if scrubbing is not the answer and you're not really into keeping your chicken skin around, what's a girl to do?  I found a few articles online recommending the use of a gentle acid to exfoliate my dead skin cells without the scrubbing.  I have been using acid based serums on my face for years to help slough off dead cells and to even and brighten my skin tone, but it never occurred to me to use acids to exfoliate the rest of my body.  After some quick searches, I found a very reasonably priced and favorably reviewed body lotion by Alpha Skin Care that contained 12% Glycolic Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA).  Added to cart. Checked out.  

I've used the Alpha Skin Care Renewal Body Lotion for about two years now and I can tell you I've seen a huge difference in the keratosis pilaris bumps on the back of my arms.  They've virtually disappeared.  I've recommended the lotion to a few friends, one who had bumps on her thighs--and they had the same positive results.  I know that children and adults can typically outgrow chicken skin, so I am not sure if I stop using the lotion it will be gone permanently--but my fingers are crossed.  

How to use: Alpha Skin Care's Renewal Body Lotion claims to reduce signs of aging, relieve dry skin, leave skin feeling soft and smooth, help to support collagen production, and even skin tone and texture.  Bonus--it's paraben and fragrance free.  I apply it after I shower 2 to 3 times a week on the backs of my arms.   I use a light and moisturizing body lotion on the rest of my body daily--after I shower and at night before I go to sleep if my skin feels a little dry or itchy.  I really like Yes to Carrots Daily Moisture Body Lotion and if I need something more intense for my elbows, knees, and feet I use the Yes to Carrots Rich Body Butter or the Maui Babe Body Butter.  

Good luck to my chicken skin friends out there!  Remember, having chicken skin doesn't make you lesser than other people.  If you ever experience or witness any abuse or discrimination of someone with chicken skin, call the Chicken Skin Hotline or visit www.chickenskinsupport.org to learn more.