Your Razor Might Be Giving You “Strawberry Legs”

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

If you’re someone who suffers from dark, noticeable spots on your legs, you're probably familiar with the term “strawberry legs.” The bad news is that strawberry legs can be caused by multiple factors, including a specific skin condition or crappy razors. The good news is that there are a handful of ways you can treat and prevent strawberry legs from developing, no whipped cream required (although shaving cream might help).

Read ahead to learn more.

Meet the experts: Sapna Palep, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Spring Street Dermatology in New York City. Dendy Engelman, MD, FACMS, FAAD, is a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at Shafer Clinic in New York City. Leonard Bernstein, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at the Laser & Skin Surgery Center in New York City.

What are "strawberry legs"?

"Strawberry legs" are dark spots that resemble small black dots. “The term comes from the dotted or pitted appearance that resembles the skin and seeds of a strawberry,” says Sapna Palep, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Spring Street Dermatology in New York City.

The open comedones that cause the appearance of strawberry legs are hair follicles or enlarged pores that contain a trapped mixture of oil, bacteria, and dead skin. “When the follicle or pore is exposed to air after shaving, it may darken,” explains Dr. Palep.

What causes "strawberry legs"?

• Keratosis pilaris: According to board-certified cosmetic dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD, FACMS, FAAD, keratosis pilaris—aka KP or "chicken skin"—is a skin condition that occurs when keratin gets trapped in hair follicles builds up and causes little red bumps to form. "It occurs mostly on upper outer arms, anterior thighs, cheeks and rarely on lower legs,” says Leonard Bernstein, MD, board-certified dermatologist at the Laser & Skin Surgery Center in New York City. “This is a condition where there’s an excessive amount of keratin and scaling stuck in the follicle opening or pore—it’s mostly a seasonal or episodic eruption in 10-15% of the population.”

• Folliculitis: "Folliculitis is another condition where dead skin cells, oil, and bacteria can clog the pores and cause inflammation in the hair follicles, which appears as reddish bumps on the surface of the skin," says Dr. Engelman.

• Shaving: It's also possible that old or cheap razors might be causing those pesky black dots to develop in the first place. “Shaving improperly with old, dull razors or without shaving cream can sometimes cause strawberry legs,” says Dr. Palep. “Razor burn can lead to strawberry legs and may cause folliculitis to develop.”

• Ingrown hairs: “In some people with thick body hair, these ingrown hairs may be what’s causing the appearance of strawberry legs,” says Dr. Palep. “In some cases, the skin around the follicle may darken in response to the irritation from shaving, which then increases the dark appearance.”

How to treat "strawberry legs"

For starters, you can treat strawberry legs by first swapping out your razor more regularly. Always use shaving cream or bar soap when shaving to ensure the area is moisturized before it comes into contact with a razor. Dr. Bernstein suggests using an antibacterial soap such as Dial or Lever 2000 to decrease bacteria on the surface of the skin. After shaving, make sure to always moisturize your skin. Dr. Palep suggests using moisturizers with lactic acid or urea that will exfoliate the skin as well to help prevent ingrown hairs.

Bar Soap

Antibacterial Deodorant Bar Soap

Antibacterial Deodorant Bar Soap

Bar Soap

SA Body Lotion for Rough and Bumpy Skin with Salicylic Acid

Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion

How to prevent "strawberry legs"

To prevent strawberry legs, experts suggest that you:

• Cleanse regularly: Dr. Engelman recommends regularly cleansing your skin, especially following a workout if you're active.

• Be mindful of how you shave: Again, you should switch out your razor every few weeks (or once yours starts to become dull) to ensure that you're not causing any potential irritation. "Shaving in the direction your hair grows is another way to avoid unnecessary irritation," she adds.

• Exfoliate: If you're prone to these kinds of bumps and blemishes, exfoliating will make a huge difference. "I recommend regularly using chemical exfoliants in a topical, lotion, or body wash form that contain alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA) and beta-hydroxy acids (BHA) to prevent clogged pores," Dr. Engelman says. "I also suggest using products that contain actives like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or retinol to kill bacteria and promote cellular turnover."

• Stay moisturized: Finally, you should always be keeping your skin as hydrated as possible so that it's less prone to irritation. "I recommend applying body oil immediately after the shower when the skin is still slightly damp to lock in moisture and promote a healthy skin barrier," adds Dr. Engelman.

In-office treatments for "strawberry legs"

If at-home remedies aren't working, Dr. Engelman recommends talking to your doctor about getting an in-office chemical peel to exfoliate the skin and reduce the appearance of bumps. You can also consider laser hair removal to reduce the potential of shaving-related skin issues, such as ingrown hairs. “Anything that kills the hair at the root like laser hair removal (which is a permanent solution) or an epilator (which can be painful)" would help prevent strawberry legs, says Dr. Palep.

You Might Also Like

• Jennifer Garner Swears By This Retinol Eye Cream

• These New Kicks Will Help You Smash Your Cross-Training Goals