If you’ve always had bumps on the back of your arms, legs, or on your face, you’ve probably gotten so used to it that you’ve just assumed there isn’t anything you can do to get rid of it. Sometimes it’s better and sometimes it’s worse, but it never really goes away. So, what is it?It’s a condition called keratosis pilaris and it’s caused by a buildup of keratin, the protein that protects skin from infections. The buildup forms a plug that blocks the opening of a hair follicle, but doctors don't know what triggers the buildup. The blocked pore forms a small bump. Once this happens to multiple hair follicles, patches of these bumps appear. It is a harmless condition and generally disappears at adulthood. Sometimes, however, it doesn’t go away and, although harmless, it can be an annoyance. 

Can it be cured?

Unfortunately, no. But there are things you can do to treat it and lessen the severity.We generally recommend starting with a chemical exfoliant. If it’s on your face, try using a chemical exfoliating pad like the Dr. Dennis Gross or Cane + Austin peel pads nightly. Sloughing off the keratin build-up will flatten out the bumps. Another option is a nightly retinol application. The retinol will encourage cell turnover and ideally remove the excess keratin.If the bumps are on your body, try a scrub like Cane + Austin’s Face and Body Glycolic Acid Scrub. These are great at-home remedies that will keep the appearance of the keratosis pilaris to a minimum.You don’t have to just accept and live with it. Monthly microdermabrasion treatments coupled with at-home chemical exfoliation are very effective at keeping the condition under control.