How To Get Rid Of Strawberry Legs

You just got out of the shower with freshly shaved legs. As you're putting on your lotion, you notice small dark bumps and wonder: What are these dark spots? Enter strawberry legs.

"Strawberry legs describe the appearance of dark spots in the skin occurring in a pattern that corresponds to hair follicles or pores," dermatologist Blair Murphy-Rose tells Byrdie. These spots aren't actually bumps, but really clogged pores filled with keratin, dead skin, or enlarged hair follicles.

Luckily, there are various ways to treat these strawberry lumps. One option, per Healthline, is to use moisturizing shaving cream as the extra moisturize will prevent your pores from being clogged. Additionally, always remember to shave in the direction of hair growth to prevent ingrown hairs which will cause strawberry legs, the outlet added.

Another option is to dry brush, a process that starts two to three days before shaving. Exfoliate by brushing each leg with a dry brush. Then, place each leg in a warm bath for at least ten minutes. Any trapped dead skin cells or keratin will be removed during this process.

There is a variety of at-home or chemical treatments that will get rid of strawberry legs. If you're looking to splurge a bit, one option to try is chemical exfoliation, which will speed up the shedding of dead skin cells and reduce the likelihood of clogged pores. To undergo chemical exfoliation, simply buy a body wash that contains AHA and salicylic acid. "Most acid-containing body washes and lotions can be used one to two times daily," claims dermatologist Blair Murphy-Rose (via Byrdie).

A more invasive route towards solving strawberry legs can include surgical procedures such as laser therapy and electrolysis, per Healthline. Each procedure revolves around permanent hair removal and is a bit costly, but they are efficient. Not only will these procedures not damage your skin, but they will prevent you from ever having strawberry legs again.

If you're not okay with spending a few hundred bucks, that's understandable too. Sometimes shaving and surgery may not be the option, but waxing can be. Byrdie reported that waxing your legs will not only get rid of strawberry legs but will also prevent them in the long run the more you shave.