There are a number of reasons why the skin on your face, arms, legs or buttocks is not smooth, report doctors at NYC Cosmetic & General Dermatology. Skin follicles can be clogged, skin may be overly dry or you may have an acne breakout. Smooth skin is healthy skin, so use preventive measures to avoid rough skin and take a few simple steps to treat areas that are rough or bumpy.
Step 1
Cleanse with mild soaps. Avoid soap that contains alcohol, deodorizers or antibacterial ingredients that dry out the skin. Opt instead for cleansers with oil and moisturizers in them, report Mayo Clinic doctors. Limit the length of baths and showers and use warm water instead of hot water. Pat your skin dry to allow some of the moisture to remain on your skin to keep it smooth.
Step 2
Wear clothes that are made with natural fabrics such as cotton or silk that allow your skin to breathe. Avoid wool if it irritates your skin, because it can chaff and create bumpy rashes. Wash your clothes with natural soaps that do not have perfumes or dyes in them that also can irritate the skin and make it rough.
Step 3
Exfoliate with a grainy body scrub that contains exfoliating chemicals such as lactic or glycolic acid. Red bumps on the arms, called keratosis pilaris, are formed by a buildup of skin that forms around the hair follicle. Keep the area hydrated with a lotion that contains sodium hyaluronate and urea.
Step 4
Use the same products you use to treat acne on your face for your back and buttocks, areas that are prone to oil buildup and acne breakouts. Wash with a body wash that contains salicylic acid, and treat weekly with a deep-cleaning mask. Apply acne cream to the zits to dry them out.
Step 5
Rub lotion on your legs within three minutes of bathing to lock in the moisture. The legs have the fewest oil glands on the body and are more prone to dryness that makes them rough to the touch. Shave with a lotion that contains oil, and wash with an oil-based body wash.
Tips and Warnings
- Warm up your skin before shaving to have smooth skin afterward, report Mayo Clinic doctors. Apply gel or shaving cream to the area while it's still warm and wet. Use a sharp, clean razor and shave in the direction that the hair grows.
- Stay out of the sun during the hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to prevent over-drying that leads to rough, wrinkled skin. Wear sunscreen and protective clothing when you have to be in direct sunlight.
Things You'll Need
- Mild moisturizing soap
- Natural-fiber clothing
- Body scrub
- Salicylic acid body wash
- Deep-cleaning mask
- Acne cream
- Oil-based lotion
- Oil-based body wash
- Sunscreen
Member Comments