Skin that goes bump in the night

Ever been plagued with those little red bumps on the backs of your arms (or legs)? I have, and I HATE it. Very unappealing and no fun to touch. Now that I'm nursing again, they've come back with a vengeance. Apparently genetic, the condition is called keratosis pillaris, and is a dry skin thing that crops up more in winter or in response to swimming pools, dehydration, irritation, etc.

Here's advice from a derm: Use AMLACTIN lotion daily until it clears up, which can take anywhere from three months to a year, but if you are religious with it, they will go away. A generic brand would work just as well. Ask the pharmacist if you can't find it. Exfoliation is important, but over-exfoliation can make it worse, the Amlactin is perfect. Getting plenty of healthy omega oils is a good idea too.

Give it a try...

Anti-aging advice from SELF

I guess I'm a little anti-aging obsessed lately, but I am 38 after all. I still feel young, and I think I look young, but my skin could use a little help. Here's a tip I just read in SELF magazine, which relates to yesterday's post:

Although 75 percent of women have a favorite skin-care brand, only 59 percent are loyal to it. But Mark J. Jaffe, M.D., a dermatologist in Bethesda, MD, says that you need to use a product for six to eight weeks to see how your skin adapts to it.

OK, Dr. Jaffe, I'll take your advice. I'll post a Regenerist follow up mid-January.

Does your skin make you look old?

Did you know uneven skin ages you more than wrinkles? I just found this out, and it totally freaked me out because, while I don't have wrinkles, I do have pigmentation variances due to sun damage, pregnancy, and just all-around combination skin.

I want a chemical peel, but having just had a C-section, my pain receptors probably couldn't take it.

My derm recommended Olay Regenerist. Here's what Olay's marketing folks have to say: "Olay Regenerist regenerates skin's appearance without such drastic measures as chemical peels, cosmetic surgery or lasers. Clinical tests prove that amino-peptides help regenerate damaged skin. Now Olay Regenerist uses this technology to beautifully regenerate skin's appearance by renewing its outer layer, revealing newer skin."

I plunked down my $20, slapped this stuff on my skin, and am awaiting a youthful complexion. I'll let you know how it goes.