CAN BODY SCRUB REMOVE STRAWBERRY LEGS?

The short answer is yes; body scrubs can remove strawberry legs. The longer answer involves some nuance and context.

Strawberry legs are a form of cellulite caused by the buildup of fat in the subcutaneous tissue. Cellulite affects many people, especially women, and can be quite distressing. Juma (2014) clarified that strawberry legs are one of the most common types of cellulite and can occur on any part of the body with subcutaneous fat deposits.

What are the Symptoms of Strawberry Legs?

Zhang et al. (1997) mentioned that strawberry legs are characterized by red or black patches on the legs that resemble strawberry seeds. Suppose you have other symptoms in your legs with strawberry legs, such as discomfort, itching, tingling, or numbness. In that case, this could signal an underlying medical condition, and you should see your dermatologist or doctor.

Tips for Treatment of Strawberry Legs

Exfoliation

Most body scrub products contain natural ingredients like sea salt or sugar that help exfoliate dead skin cells. According to Packianathan & Kandasamy (2011), exfoliation helps remove excess sebum and dead skin cells from the surface of your skin. This process helps to give you smoother, less bumpy skin overall. A good scrub will improve the look and feel of your skin and help reduce inflammation in areas such as your thighs.

What about strawberry legs? Does scrubbing thighs with an exfoliating product do anything for this type of cellulite?

The exfoliation of the skin is a way to remove dead skin cells and stimulate the production of new ones. The body scrub uses natural ingredients such as sugar or salt, which act as an abrasive agent, and coconut oil, which moisturizes and softens the skin.

The body scrub can remove any dry patches or roughness on your legs. It can also be used to prevent ingrown hair from shaving or waxing. Exfoliating your legs may help reduce cellulite; however, it cannot be guaranteed to work since cellulitis is caused by genetics, hormones, diet, and lifestyle choices.

The best time to use a body scrub is after you showered or bathed because your pores will open so that the product can penetrate deeper into your pores for better results.

You should use an exfoliated scrub twice weekly for about fifteen minutes before you shower or bathe. Apply a thin product layer on dry skin and massage gently in circular motions until all dry patches are gone from your legs (about five minutes). Make sure your skin does not get irritated by over-exfoliating it.

Shave

While it may seem counterintuitive, shaving daily or every other day can help with strawberry skin. Shaving exfoliates the skin, keeping the follicles and pores clean.

The hairs are frequently longer and rougher when we wait longer between shaving sessions. Thus the skin tends to be more irritated after shaving.

Because the hair grows longer and thicker, you're forced to hurt your skin by dragging the razor over it repeatedly, which can cause folliculitis. For the perfect shave, Truly's Silky Smooth Shave Set is recommended.

Causes of Strawberry Legs

Folliculitis

Infection most commonly causes folliculitis in the hair follicles of the scalp or shaven regions of the body. Staph bacteria are the most common cause (Staphylococcus aureus), according to Winters et al. (2002).Folliculitis can also be caused by ingrown hairs, viruses, or fungi causing inflammation.

Razor burn or razor rash are little red spots or pimples on the skin caused by this. Folliculitis is commonly caused by shaving, tight clothing, and a mix of heat and sweat. Folliculitis can afflict people of all ages, but there are several risk factors to consider. If you do any of the following, you may be at a higher risk of developing this condition:

 Folliculitis is characterized by itchiness. However, it’s not serious unless it progresses to a more severe type of infection.

Keratosis Pilaris

Keratosis pilaris (also known as "chicken skin," "pillar," and "chicken bumps") is a common, harmless condition that causes small, rough bumps to form on the skin. It usually affects the upper arms, thighs, and buttocks.

According to Hwang et al. (2008), the condition tends to develop when the body produces too much keratin, a protein that forms part of the outermost layer of skin. The follicles become clogged with dead skin cells, which may be linked to genetics. In addition, hormones may play a role in aggravating symptoms during puberty or pregnancy.

Keratosis pilaris is not contagious and does not require treatment or medication. However, there are some things you can do to relieve the condition's symptoms:

Apply a moisturizer daily after bathing or showering; this helps loosen dry skin cells so they can be removed more easily by exfoliating your affected areas with a loofah sponge or washcloth. Using an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream if your skin is severely inflamed will help reduce redness and swelling until your skin is less irritated.

Use exfoliating products like alpha hydroxyl acid cleansers or salicylic acid.

Ways of Preventing Strawberry Legs

Hygiene

Excess Oils and grime clog skin pores. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid using conventional soap. Rather use a cleanser than is arable to the PH of your skin. This is because scrubbing can be irritating to the skin.

Maintaining a Healthy Diet

A healthy diet is the best way to stay healthy. It is not only about weight loss but also about the overall health of your body. A healthy diet can help you reduce the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. A healthy diet should contain a variety of foods from all food groups. You should consume whole grains, fruits, and vegetables every day. You should limit your intake of saturated fat and sodium.

Hydrate your Skin

It is recommended that immediately after exfoliation, one should follow with a gel nourishing moisturizer to help shade the dead skin.

Conclusion

Scrubbing the body using has shown to be beneficial in removing strawberry legs. However, different considerations should be undertaken for it to be effective. Such is the Exfoliation factor.

References

Holmes, R. B., Martins, C., & Horn, T. (2002). The Histopathology Of Folliculitis In HIV‐Infected Patients. Journal Of Cutaneous Pathology, 29(2), 93-95.

Hwang, S., & Schwartz, R. A. (2008). Keratosis Pilaris: A Common Follicular Hyperkeratosis. Cutis, 82(3), 177-180.

Juma, K. K. (2014). Removing Cellulite Naturally.: A Complete Guide On How To Remove Cellulite. Booktango.

Packianathan, N., & Kandasamy, R. (2011). Skin Care With Herbal Exfoliants. Functional Plant Science And Biotechnology, 5(1), 94-97.

Zhang, J., Drummond, F. A., Liebman, M., & Hartke, A. (1997). Phenology And Dispersal Of Harpalus Rufipes Degeer(Coleoptera: Carabidae) In Agroecosystems In Maine. Journal Of Agricultural Entomology, 14(2), 171-186.