Home › What We Treat › Keratosis pilaris (KP)
Tired of rough, red little bumps on your arms or legs that never seem to go away? You're not alone, and it isn't anything you did wrong. We'll help you smooth them out and keep them under control with a plan you can actually stick to.
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Medically reviewed by Stephany Reese, APRN, FNP-C, medical director · Updated October 2026
Rashelle Murray, LMA
Lead aesthetician
The short answer
KP is harmless and can't be cured, but it can be smoothed and managed. The foundation is a daily exfoliating lotion with urea, lactic acid or salicylic acid plus a good moisturizer, which we can help you choose from our medical-grade skincare. In-office treatments like chemical peels, DiamondGlow, BBL and MOXI can speed things up. Most people need ongoing maintenance to keep skin smooth.
Understanding your skin
KP isn't caused by anything you did. It comes down to how your skin handles keratin, and a few things make it more likely or more noticeable.
Keratin, a protein that protects skin, builds up and blocks the openings of hair follicles, causing rough, bumpy patches. Why it builds up isn't clear (Mayo Clinic).
KP tends to run in families, so you're more likely to have it if a parent or sibling does (Cleveland Clinic).
Dry skin makes KP worse (Mayo Clinic), which is one reason it's so common in Utah's dry climate.
KP is closely linked with eczema (atopic dermatitis) and very dry, scaly skin, likely through a shared weakness in the skin barrier (StatPearls, NIH).
Symptoms often get worse when the air is drier, like in winter (Cleveland Clinic). In one study, nearly half of people said their KP worsened in winter (StatPearls).
KP is most common in children and teens. Many cases start to clear in the mid-20s and often disappear by about age 30 (Cleveland Clinic), but some adults keep it for years.
Know your bumps
Both involve blocked hair follicles, so they're easy to mix up. KP is caused by keratin plugging follicles (Mayo Clinic), while acne comes from oil, dead skin, bacteria and inflammation (Mayo Clinic). They need different care.
Keratosis pilaris (KP)
Acne
What it looks like
Patches of tiny, rough, discolored bumps with dry skin around them
Whiteheads, blackheads, red tender bumps and pimples, sometimes deep cysts
Where it shows up
Backs of upper arms, thighs, buttocks, sometimes cheeks
Face, forehead, chest, upper back and shoulders
How it feels
Rough and dry, sometimes itchy, usually painless
Often tender or sore
What helps
Exfoliating lotions, moisturizer, peels, BBL
Acne skincare, ForeverClear BBL, peels; see our acne page
Scrubbing hard doesn't help either one and can make both look worse. If you're not sure which you have, we'll take a look at your complimentary consult.
Your options
There's no cure for KP, so the goal is smoother, calmer skin that stays that way. Here's what each option does best, with what leading medical sources say.
Best for: everyone with KP (the foundation)
Dermatologists recommend a keratolytic lotion with ingredients like urea, lactic acid, glycolic acid or salicylic acid, plus a moisturizer applied within 5 minutes of bathing (AAD).
Best for: stubborn roughness and dullness
Professional exfoliation helps remove the buildup behind rough skin. Peels can improve rough skin, scaly patches and a dull complexion, usually over a series of treatments (Cleveland Clinic).
Best for: a smoother feel and a skincare boost
Dermatologists recommend exfoliation, including microdermabrasion, for KP (AAD). DiamondGlow exfoliates with a diamond tip and infuses serums in the same step.
Best for: roughness and red or brown bumps
Laser and light treatments may reduce redness and swelling and improve texture (AAD). In one trial, intense pulsed light clearly reduced roughness, though redness didn't improve more than with a sham treatment (J Clin Aesthet Dermatol).
Best for: lingering texture and discoloration
A gentle fractional laser for tone and texture with about 1 day of downtime (Sciton). Evidence for lasers in KP is mostly small studies and case reports, so we treat it as an add-on, not a first step (StatPearls).
The whole-person view
Usually not. KP is harmless and isn't contagious, but it's more common in people with eczema, asthma, hypothyroidism or diabetes (Cleveland Clinic). An underactive thyroid can also cause dry, coarse skin and hair along with fatigue, weight gain and feeling cold, and a simple blood test can check for it (Cleveland Clinic).
If your skin got rougher or drier at the same time you started feeling tired, foggy or cold all the time, it's worth checking your thyroid. Stephany can test your thyroid and prescribe thyroid medication when you need it. That's why at Epiphany Clinic, we start with how you feel.
Protect your results
Apply moisturizer to damp skin within 5 minutes of bathing (AAD).
Take showers or baths of 20 minutes or less with warm, not hot, water and a mild cleanser instead of bar soap (AAD).
Use a humidifier when the air is dry, and exfoliate gently instead of scrubbing (AAD). Utah winters make this extra important.
Because KP can't be cured, dermatologists recommend a maintenance plan, such as using your treatment a couple of times a week instead of daily (AAD).
Your care team
Lead aesthetician
Our laser and skin specialist for MOXI, BBL, SkinTyte, microneedling and skincare plans.
Medical director
Stephany can check your thyroid and hormones when skin changes come with fatigue, weight gain or other symptoms.
Real reviews
★★★★★
“I had the BBL and Moxi… I was scared of the laser, but it was a much more comfortable experience than I thought. My technician, Rashelle communicated to me every part of the process…”
ezza · Google review
★★★★★
“I left with my skin feeling so refreshed and clean, and it was way better than fluffy facials you get at spas!”
Maddee S. · Google review
★★★★★
“They took the time to listen to my concerns, answer my questions, and explain everything clearly without making me feel pressured into anything.”
Olia L. · Google review
Your questions, answered
Can keratosis pilaris be cured?
No. KP can't be cured or prevented, but treatment can improve how it looks (Mayo Clinic). For many people it fades gradually over the years, even without treatment (AAD).
Is KP contagious or caused by poor hygiene?
No. KP isn't contagious (Cleveland Clinic), and it isn't caused by being unclean. Scrubbing harder usually makes it look worse, not better.
How long until I see smoother skin?
Can laser hair removal help KP?
It may help some people. Dermatologists suggest considering laser hair removal instead of shaving or waxing if you have KP (AAD). Ask us at your consult whether laser hair removal makes sense for the areas you treat.
When should I see a dermatologist for KP?
If you're not sure it's KP, or bumps don't improve after a couple of months of consistent care, a dermatologist can confirm the diagnosis and prescribe options such as a retinoid or a corticosteroid cream to soften bumps and reduce redness (AAD). We'll tell you honestly if that's the better next step.
How much does KP treatment cost in American Fork?
Consultations are complimentary. Many people start with skincare alone, and in-office treatments are priced per session, with savings through our Beauty Bank membership. See our price guide for peels, DiamondGlow, BBL and MOXI.
Where can I get KP treatment near American Fork?
Epiphany Clinic is at 119 S Pacific Dr, Suite 102, American Fork, UT 84003, a short drive from Lehi, Pleasant Grove, Highland, Alpine, Cedar Hills, Saratoga Springs and Orem. Call or text (801) 477-7294.
This page was medically reviewed by Stephany Reese, APRN, FNP-C, medical director of Epiphany Clinic, in October 2026. It's for education and isn't a substitute for a personal consultation.
Ready when you are
We'll confirm it's KP, talk through what's realistic and build a simple plan to smooth your skin and keep it that way. No pressure, ever.
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