I'm not sure when we decided to call actual skin conditions by cutesy names, like "chicken skin" and "strawberry legs," but here we are. And if you are here, I'm guessing that you've been searching for cure for those dark spots and/or red dots covering your legs (you know, kiiiinda like the seeds that cover a strawberry?). So to help you out—and help you learn the real, non-cutesy facts about your skin condition ASAP—I turned to board-certified dermatologist Sophia Reid, MD, to help explain exactly WTF strawberry legs actually are, along with how to treat them.
Why do I get "strawberry legs"?
First, let's clear something up: "strawberry legs" isn't a scientific or technical term. Shocking, I know. As Dr. Reid puts its, "strawberry legs" is a term broadly used to describe the appearance of legs that have red dots at the hair follicles, which can be caused by a few different things:
Keratosis pilaris If your red or brown dots are also accompanied by little red bumps, you're most likely dealing with keratosis pilaris, or KP (i.e., the same rough bumps you probably have on the backs of your arms). Keratosis pilaris is most common in people with dry skin or eczema, says Dr. Reid, and is caused by excess keratin building up in your hair follicles. Usually, most people with lifelong "strawberry legs" are actually just dealing with keratosis pilaris—which, annoyingly, is genetic.
Folliculitis If you've got sudden, acne-like bumps around your thighs or butt, you might really have folliculitis—i.e., inflammation of the hair follicle due to friction. These little red dots have a white-tipped bump (like a classic pimple), though they usually don't affect all of your hair follicles uniformly. So if you're dealing with all-over dots—like, every single hair follicle on your shin and thigh looks dark or red—you're likely dealing with KP, not folliculitis.
Something else entirely If it's not keratosis pilaris or folliculitis, Dr. Reid says maybe what you're experiencing is the leaking of tiny capillaries right under the skin. Or maybe red moles. Or maybe razor burn. Or maybe a dozen other things. Sorry, but the only way to be sure of what you've got without Google Image-searching yourself into a black hole is to ask a dermatologist. "It can be hard to differentiate the causes of your red dots on your own, and because all the treatments are different, you'll need to see a board-certified dermatologist to be certain," Dr. Reid says.
How do you get rid of "strawberry legs"?
Again, the treatment depends on the cause, so the first step to getting rid of your "strawberry legs" is to see a board-certified dermatologist to determine the reason for it. If you are dealing with keratosis pilaris or folliculits, you can try breaking down the bumps and smoothing skin with a chemical exfoliant, like a salicylic acid lotion or glycolic acid-based body wash. Just note that keratosis pilaris is in your DNA, so there's no cure for it—only management.
Another tried-and-true standby? Lactic-acid lotions, which gently exfoliate rough skin while hydrating it. Dr. Reid recommends two drugstore options: AmLactin Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion or Eucerin Roughness Relief Cream. Just remember: All chemical exfoliants can make your skin extra sensitive to getting sunburned (yup, even after you've rinsed them off), so sunscreen is a must.
If the drugstore options aren't giving you enough relief, your dermatologist can prescribe prescription-strength retinoids and cortisone creams to help. But if you're dealing with KP, you'll need to keep in mind that all these options are just for temporary improvement in appearance, says Dr. Reid.
Should you use a "strawberry legs" scrub?
When you have bumps, the natural tendency is to pick, scratch, rub, and scrub them off, but that'll only hurt your current situation. Regardless of what you're dealing with, Dr. Reid warns against over-exfoliating with harsh scrubs and drying treatments, which almost always make a skin condition way, way worse. It might also be a good idea to avoid dry brushing areas with thinner skin, like on your inner thighs, and avoid aggressive dry brushing, in general.
Are "strawberry legs" permanent?
I don't mean to repeat myself, but it all depends on the cause of your "strawberry legs." While folliculitis and keratosis pilaris can be treated, the latter tends to run in the family and be an inherited condition (yay! Thanks, mom and dad!), which means it can’t be prevented, just managed. And you have to be diligent, because if you ever stop the treatment, it'll just come back again.
The takeaway
Google is not a doctor (I'm sorry! I know! I wish it were!). Which means the best idea is to make an appointment with someone who actually is. Once your dermatologist has had a chance to identify the underlying cause of your "strawberry legs," they'll be able to recommend the best treatment options for you. Cool? Cool.
What are strawberry legs? Strawberry legs — also known as strawberry skin legs — occur when your hair follicles or pores are clogged with dirt, dead skin, bacteria or oil. The spots usually don't itch or cause pain. The lighter your skin, the more visible strawberry legs are.
In severe cases, people may experience hair loss or scarring in the infected area. However, the majority of cases are minor and usually resolve within a few days.
Strawberry legs—medically known as keratosis pilaris (KP)—is a common skin condition that happens if keratin (a protein) builds up and clogs your pores. 1 Though you can clear up strawberry legs, KP has no cure. Still, at-home remedies like exfoliating and moisturizing your skin help reduce the appearance.
While it may not directly get rid of strawberry legs, incorporating Vitamin C into your skincare routine can help improve the overall appearance of your skin. Vitamin C promotes collagen production, which can enhance skin texture and reduce the visibility of dark pores over time.
It's usually worse in the winter months when there's less moisture in the air and then may clear up in the summer. It often affects people with certain skin conditions, including eczema (also called atopic dermatitis). Some evidence suggests it's linked to a vitamin A deficiency.
We like something like the CeraVe SA Cream with Salicylic Acid for Rough & Bumpy Skin as our go-to body lotion to keeping the skin's surface smooth and clear and it's suitable for all skin types.
Exfoliating can help slough away dead skin cells and make the strawberry dots a lot less visible. By exfoliating your body on a regular basis, you'll gradually soften the skin and loosen up the dirt that's in your pores, preventing it from getting trapped when you shave.
The First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub is an exfoliating scrub that's meant for clearing up keratosis pilaris, or the tiny bumps that resemble chicken skin that often shows up on arms and elsewhere. It's packed with glycolic acid and lactic acid that decongest pores and rid your skin of those bumps.
Strawberry legs can be reversed with just a little TLC. The main fix for this issue is to exfoliate regularly. Exfoliating gets rid of the dead skin cells that sit on the top of your skin, in turn reducing the likelihood of ingrown hairs.
For strawberry legs, she suggests "a mixture of water with pure aloe vera and a few drops of tea tree oil frozen in the sphere, which you then massage onto your legs after you shave or wax. This helps to soothe and hydrate your skin and keeps your pores clear."
Another home remedy to get rid of strawberry legs is to use a physical scrub. A homemade scrub like a coffee or sugar scrub can help exfoliate the dead skin cells and lessen the chances of ingrown hair that result in strawberry legs.
Strawberry legs are nothing to be embarrassed about, and we should celebrate our perceived “flaws” instead of trying to hide them. However, our bodies are our choice, and many people want to know how to get rid of strawberry legs for good.
The pores or follicles can become clogged with bacteria and dead skin, trapping oil inside them. When the oil is exposed to air, it turns black and is called a blackhead, or open comedone . The tiny black dots create the appearance of strawberry legs.
You can do dry brushing right before your shower. That way you can wash off the dead skin cells after you're done. Once you're out of the shower, be sure to moisturize. If you're using a scrub or chemical exfoliator, gently use small circular motions to apply the product.
How to get rid of razor bumps fast? The most effective way to get rid of razor bumps is to stop shaving. The bumps will not disappear at once, but new bumps will stop forming as the hair grows. A doctor may also recommend a cortisone cream to reduce inflammation.
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