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Author: Dr. Oh Chul, HJM Clinic
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Editor : Sia
Hello! I'm Oh Chul, doctor at Hwajeobmong(HJM) Korean Medicine Clinic.
You know that bumpy feeling you get when you're cold or scared? That's called 'goosebumps' in English. In Korea - where chicken restaurants dot every corner - it's called 'dakssal' (닭살, chicken skin). 🐔
What if you have persistent ‘dakssal’ on your arms and legs year-round? This might be a Keratosis Pilaris. 😔
Dakssal and Keratosis Pilaris
Goosebumps occur when the sympathetic nervous system becomes overly activated in response to sudden tension— a skin reaction in an alert state.
This happens when tiny muscles at the base of each hair suddenly tighten, making the hair stand up! In this process, the surrounding skin rises into bumps.
However, sometimes these bumps persist. If specific skin areas remain bumpy and gradually turn red or dark over time, it could be Keratosis Pilaris - a skin condition.
📌 Keratosis Pilaris: A Genetic Skin Condition
Keratosis pilaris is a genetic skin condition where pores become blocked by keratin or where keratin accumulates excessively in those areas.
It typically appears as small gray or brown bumps along pores on the outer arms, thighs, and shoulders. While not itchy or painful, it's not aesthetically pleasing.😞
📌 Causes of Keratosis Pilaris
Like many genetic conditions, the exact cause of keratosis pilaris remains unclear.
However, since it begins and worsens during adolescence, hormonal influences on symptom severity are recognized.
Main causes:
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Genetic factors
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Adolescent hormonal excess
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Repeated friction and irritation
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Dry skin
This condition most commonly occurs on the outer arms and legs, buttocks, and back, where frequent clothing friction and reduced sebum production make them prone to dryness.
Managing Keratosis Pilaris: Do This!
Continuous friction and irritation can worsen keratosis pilaris. When bumpy skin appears, we naturally want to scratch it away. We scrub with rough towels, use scrubs, or pick with fingernails.
However, all these physical irritations worsen keratosis pilaris, cause secondary inflammation, and can leave skin discoloration.
📌 Sufficient Moisturizing Helps Prevention
Keratosis pilaris occurs when excessively produced keratin remains on the skin too long. When your skin is dry, it creates extra protective layers. But too much buildup leads to those bumpy patches.
If you moisturize sufficiently regularly, there's no need to retain thick keratin to protect dry skin. Therefore, adequate moisturization becomes a condition that prevents worsening of keratosis pilaris.
These lifestyle habits help:
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Prohibit physical exfoliation
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Wash with foam using your hands (no towels or brushes)
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Apply moisturizer generously after washing
📌 Korean Medicine Treatment for Keratosis Pilaris
Keratosis pilaris, being a genetic condition, isn't easy to improve through self-care alone. 😓 Additionally, it's not resolved by simply removing the current keratin. In other words, restoring skin barrier and managing skin discoloration together enables long-term improvement.
Hwajeobmong Korean Medicine Clinic uses a proprietary peeling technique called 'Hwa-an Care' to treat this condition. This treatment uses micro-needles to penetrate herbal extract deep into skin. This organizes old keratin layers and helps new skin regenerate and recover.
Hwa-an Care advantages:
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Step-by-step approach tailored to skin characteristics
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Non-physical peeling with minimal irritation
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Deep nourishment through herbal extract absorption
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Focuses on skin barrier recovery to prevent recurrence
If you want improvement in keratosis pilaris, consider Korean medicine treatment as well. 😉
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Keratosis pilaris isn't a condition that resolves once it improves. Rather than completely disappearing, it's more about alleviating symptoms through management.
Therefore, when combining daily moisturizing care with professional treatment, you can meet noticeably improved skin. Ultimately, consistency is key!
Especially now during seasonal changes, sudden cold weather can dry out your skin quickly.
Stay consistent with moisturizing - it's the best investment you can make. 💙
