Small black patches appear on the legs, causing strawberry legs. Strawberry seeds resemble these patches. Additionally, strawberry legs are usually avoided by using moisturizing shaving cream. As well as experimenting with other self-care techniques.
Hair follicles or expanded pores with a trapped combination of:
- Oil
- Bacteria
- Dead skin
Whenever a follicle or clogged pore is exposed after shaving and air gets to the oil inside, it oxidizes and darkens.
From causes to treatment, we’ll go over all you need to know about strawberry legs.
What Are the Causes of Strawberry Legs?
Although “strawberry legs” refers to a distinct look, it is a catch-all word.
A number of reasons can induce strawberry legs, some of which may overlap.
Shaving
Shaving can create strawberry legs. Especially if done incorrectly with old, dull blades or without shaving lotion.
Strawberry legs and folliculitis are possible side effects of razor burn. Shaving can cause ingrown hairs.
Ingrown hairs could be the cause of strawberry legs in some people. People with a lot of body hair are more prone to this.
Discomfort from shaving can cause the skin surrounding the follicle to darken, worsening the dark look.
Pore Clogging
The skin on your legs has thousands of pores. This could become clogged with germs, dead skin, and debris just like any other pores.
The term “open comedones” refers to clogged pores. The oil within clogged pores oxidizes and turns black when exposed to air.
It could be easy to see if you have larger pores on your legs as a result of heredity or thick body hair.
Folliculitis
Folliculitis is a type of skin infection that damages the follicles of the hair. It starts as little red pimples that deepen to resemble strawberry legs. Disruption to the hair follicle allows dirt and germs to enter, resulting in folliculitis. Shaving, waxing, tight clothes, and touching the skin can all cause damage to the skin.
Furthermore, folliculitis is frequent after soaking in a hot tub or working out. Especially in occluded areas such as those covered by a swimming suit. Because our skin is more vulnerable to injury when wet, folliculitis can develop on any portions of the skin covered by the suit when it scrapes against it in the water.
Keratosis Pilaris
Keratosis pilaris is a harmless skin disorder that causes small red bumps to appear on the surface of the skin. This is a skin condition that affects the upper arms and thighs.
“Chicken skin” is another name for it. Plugs of dead skin cells generate the little red bumps, which mimic goosebumps. When the thighs are covered in these small red bumps, they can resemble strawberry skin.
Keratosis pilaris is a hereditary disorder that rarely requires treatment. A dermatologist may be able to help if the lumps become irritating or unpleasant.
Remedy at Home
Strawberry legs is treatable at home. There are certain preventative steps that may be taken to prevent them in the future.
Strawberry legs may usually be avoided by taking simple preventative measures at home. If at-home preventative approaches fail, you may opt to have your leg hair permanently removed or receive medical care.
Before seeing a doctor, you can try a few various home treatments available:
Exfoliating Is a Wise Idea
Legs should be exfoliated regularly.
Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin from the legs. This facilitates the growth of new hairs easier.
Exfoliation can help avoid strawberry legs from repeating in addition to minimizing the appearance of strawberry legs.
Apply a Moisturizing Cream
Another alternative for skin hydration at home is to use moisturizing lotions.
Hydrating the skin of the legs can significantly help to get rid of this condition. It could also help avoid recurrences in the future.
Online retailers sell moisturizing creams.
Apply Salicylic or Glycolic Acid to the Affected Area
Salicylic acid or glycolic acid, as a last resort, can be used to enhance strawberry legs. Many over-the-counter acne treatments contain these chemicals.
These acids can benefit in the treatment of acne, which could be leading to the look of strawberry legs.
Medications
Alternately, the strawberry legs could be the result of an underlying ailment. It will be necessary to treat it in such circumstances.
Strawberry legs can be treated in many ways, including the following:
Electrolysis
Electrolysis is one type of medical hair removal. The inflamed hair follicles are targeted with electricity, which stops the hair from growing.
Strawberry legs can be avoided by using this strategy to prevent ingrown hairs from returning.
Laser Treatment
Laser treatment entails the use of a laser beam. This therapy is yet another medical alternative.
Removing leg hair using laser hair removal can take somewhere between two to six sessions.
Taking Care of the Underlying Issues
If inflamed hair follicles aren’t the cause of strawberry legs, there could be a deeper issue that needs addressing.
Both bacterial and fungal infections can harm hair follicles. Your doctor will prescribe medicine to treat the illness in either scenario.
The impression of strawberry legs should go after treatment.
Prevention
It is usually possible to take preventative measures at home. However, a lot of medical treatment solutions also function as preventative measures.
Self-care changes are often the focus of prevention. Prevention of strawberry can happen in many ways. Including the following:
- During shaving, use shaving cream.
- While shaving, utilize sharp razors.
- Before and after shaving, moisturize the skin daily.
- Exfoliate your legs regularly.
Shaving cream and razors are available online.
Epilators
You might also consider utilizing epilators. An epilator is a device that uses electricity to remove hair from the follicle.
While epilators are comparable to waxing, proponents argue that they are less harmful to the skin.
Epilators, on the other hand, is uncomfortable and might cause discomfort. As a result, not everybody will choose to use the device as a shaving alternative.
Bottom Line
Strawberry legs can be bothersome, but they are rarely a reason for worry.
If adopting precautions does not help to treat or prevent strawberry legs, you should consult your doctor.
If strawberry legs don’t react to treatments, an underlying infection may be present. To treat underlying problems, antibiotics or antifungal medications are commonly utilized.