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If you've noticed tiny dark spots on your legs or along your bikini line, you may be dealing with "strawberry skin." While strawberry skin isn't harmful or a cause for concern, if you're bothered by the appearance of pesky dots on your legs, there are ways to treat it. To find out how, we tapped dermatologists for their medical insight and expertise. Keep scrolling for tips on how to get rid of strawberry skin, straight from skincare pros.
What Is Strawberry Skin?
Strawberry skin resembles strawberry seeds (hence, its name). It occurs when the hair follicles become engorged with oil, dirt, and dead skin. "Strawberry skin is not a skin condition but rather a symptom that's also seen in keratosis pilaris, a common condition where hairs get trapped by overgrowth of keratin and buildup around skin pores," explains Adazeh Shirazi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of La Jolla Laser Dermatology.
The Causes of Strawberry Skin
"When pores get clogged with dirt, oil, or skin buildup that traps hair follicles, you see dark dotted skin resembling the seeds of a strawberry," Dr. Shirazi tells us. Strawberry skin can also be a side effect of shaving, which is why it often occurs on the legs. Waxing and wearing tight clothing are also contributing factors.
"Sometimes it can be caused by shaving while other times it's just something that you have from the get-go because you have sensitive skin," adds Karan Lal, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New Jersey. "It's very common and is more noticeable in fair-skinned people."
How to Prevent Strawberry Skin
Dr. Lal says strawberry skin is, unfortunately, yours to keep, but there are ways of minimizing the appearance of dark spots and even preventing them from forming in the first place. For starters, he recommends being consistent with your chemical exfoliating regimen (i.e. exfoliating once a week) and moisturizing daily. In addition, Dr. Shirzai recommends using a fresh blade when you shave to prevent clogging the hair follicles with dead skin.
How to Get Rid of Strawberry Skin
If you do experience strawberry skin after shaving, listen up. According to our experts, there are a few ways to help clear the hair follicles, and thus, minimize the appearance of dark spots.
At-Home Treatments
- Use a chemical or physical exfoliator: "Exfoliating, whether chemically or mechanically, can be helpful and will make your skin seem less red and bumpy," Dr. Lal says. "Chemical exfoliators like salicylic acid, glycolic acid, urea, and lactic acid, can all help shed the bumps seen in strawberry skin." Alternatively, you can use a gentle exfoliating glove once a week to help smooth the affected areas of the skin.
- Lather on a retinol body lotion: In addition to exfoliation, Dr. Shirazi says using a body lotion with retinol — we like Paula's Choice Skin-Smoothing Retinol Body Treatment — post-shower can also help smooth skin. Retinol promotes cell turnover, which in turn, helps clear clogged pores and even texture.
In-Office Procedures
- Try microdermabrasion: A dermatologist can treat strawberry skin with microdermabrasion. Dr. Shriazi suggests Diamond Glow. "It uses microdermabrasion to gently resurface the skin while a high-powered suction removes dirt and debris from the pores and infuses the skin with hydrating serums." Think of it like a deep cleansing facial for your body.
- Consider laser hair removal: Dr. Shirazi says that getting laser hair removal on the areas prone to strawberry skin can help because it will reduce the density of the hair follicles, and thus, less skin, dirt, and oil can get trapped in them.
- Go for a Pulsed Dye Laser Treatment (PDL): Dr. Lal is a fan of using pulsed dye laser treatments in-office. "PDL can help not only shed the thickened skin, but it also reduces the background redness," he says. "It isn't a cure, but it definitely makes things better."
- Get a chemical peel: A medical-grade chemical peel can also help smooth the affected skin. "This is a great affordable management option," Dr. Lal says.
When to See a Professional
Although strawberry skin is benign and can be managed at home, like any other skin issue, if you have any concerns about getting dark spots after shaving, book an appointment with a board-certified dermatologist. To play it extra safe, you can also consult them before trying any at-home remedies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is strawberry skin same as keratosis pilaris?
Although often confused with keratosis pilaris, strawberry skin is not the same as KP. Keratosis pilaris is a skin condition caused by excess keratin buildup in the hair follicles, creating tiny, red bumps, whereas strawberry skin often resembles dark spots that result from trapped dirt and sebum in the hair follicles.
Will strawberry skin go away on its own?
No, but you can help reduce the appearance of strawberry skin with the right treatment, whether that be an at-home remedy or an in-office procedure. If you're unsure of which treatment is best for you, speak to your dermatologist.
How long does it take to get rid of strawberry skin?
You can't necessarily get rid of strawberry skin but rather, make these stubborn dark spots less noticeable with the proper skincare routine. When you see improvements will depend on what treatment method(s) you decide to take and your specific case of strawberry skin.
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