Below-The-Neck Beauty Tips

Blemish-proof your body by tackling some common skin concerns.

- Karyn Repinski

WE OFTEN DON’T THINK further than our face when it comes to healthy skin, but the rest of the body may need some TLC, too. And if you want your arms, back, tummy, and legs to be ready to bare all when the weather gets warmer, now’s the time to take action. “It can take several weeks to several months to see benefits in skin health, so the sooner you start, the better,” says David Bank, M.D., a cosmetic dermatologist in Mount Kisco, NY. Here’s how to tackle some of the more common body beauty concerns.

THE PROBLEM:

Chicken Skin (rough or bumpy patches)

If you’ve got patches of bumps with a grater like texture on your upper arms, thighs, or butt, chances are it’s keratosis pilaris (KP), a common (and completely harmless) condition. KP is genetic and is caused by a buildup of cells that form a scaly plug, which blocks individual hair follicles, explains Audrey Kunin, M.D., a board certified dermatologist in Kansas City, KS, and founder and CEO of DermaDoctor. Depending on the severity, KP can range from barely noticeable to can’t-miss it obvious. The latter is more likely if the follicles become inflamed and take on a red or brown polka-dotted effect, triggered by the body’s immune response.

HEALTHY SKIN SOLUTION: