Strawberry skin: how it develops and how to treat it

Spring is finally here and with the sunshine and warm temperatures we are looking forward to finally wearing shorts and skirts again. But what do you do when the so-called “strawberry skin” throws a spanner in the works? We have put together tips on how to get rid of the unsightly spots on the skin.

What is strawberry skin?

Strawberry skin refers to the small red and dark dots that appear on the skin after shaving. They are particularly common on the legs, hence the English term “strawberry legs”. Because the small irritations are spread over the skin, like seeds on a strawberry.

What causes strawberry skin?

Basically, strawberry skin is a form of Keratosis Pilaris, also known as keratosis pilaris. These are small inflammations of the hair follicles and calluses on the skin. Strawberry skin is particularly common in women with dark hair and heavy leg hair.

The annoying little dots arise because the hair follicles are irritated when shaving. If they no longer close properly after shaving, foreign substances can get in and inflammation can occur. In addition, oil and sebum residues can turn the pores black, comparable to blackheads on the face.

What to do about strawberry skin?

One of the best and easiest remedies for strawberry skin is regular peelings. They remove dead skin cells and prevent them from clogging the pores (hair follicles). In addition to mechanical peelings with fine grains or a peeling glove, a toner with salicylic acid is also suitable. Simply put it on a cotton pad and gently rub it over your legs. The salicylic acid removes dead skin cells and calluses and at the same time has an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect.

If the legs are shaved regularly, it is important to replace the razor blades regularly. Alternative methods such as waxing or epilation can also reduce strawberry skin.

And very important is sufficient moisture. Because dry skin on the legs can lead to excessive sebum production. The sebum clogs the pores and strawberry skin appears. Therefore, be sure to apply a moisturizing lotion after shaving, but ideally after every shower.