Yami Gautam opens up about her struggles with her skin troubles

A recent Instagram post by Bollywood actress Yami Gautam on her struggles with keratosis pilaris wasn’t just honest, but also heartwarming in many ways. More often than not, we perceive celebs to be ‘perfect’ and without any health issues, but her post made us believe that imperfections are equally beautiful. With that thought, let’s move on to the elephant in the room. 

Here’s what she wrote, “I recently shot for some images and just when they were about to go in for post-production (a common procedure) to conceal my skin-condition called Keratosis– Pilaris, I thought, ‘Hey Yami, why don’t you embrace this fact and accept it enough to be OKAY with it. Just let it be… (Yes, I do talk out loud to myself.”

Check out the post here:

You might have seen certain people struggling with dry and rough patches and tiny bumps on their skin. It could pass off as an allergy any day, but it is an incurable skin condition called keratosis pilaris. Also called ‘chicken skin’, it doesn’t just show up on the face, but also on the upper arms, cheeks, thighs, cheeks or buttocks. It’s a harmless condition, and the bumps don’t even itch!

It is treatable with moisturisers and prescription creams, and in most cases, vanishes by the time you turn 30.

What are some of its symptoms?

This condition can show up at any age, but it is most commonly seen in young children. Some of its common signs and symptoms include:

• Painless tiny bumps on the upper arms, thighs, cheeks or even buttocks
• Dry and rough skin in the bumpy area
• Worsens with seasonal changes

Are there any specific causes?

This skin condition is caused due to the accumulation of keratin, a protein that offers protection to your skin from infections and unwanted substances. It is certain that restricts the opening of hair follicles, and causes a bumpy texture. Not much evidence is available but some health experts believe that it is more commonly seen in those people who have a genetic disease or skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis. Dry skin can only add to your woes, so make sure you keep your skin well-moisturised!

All in all, it is common in people with dry skin, eczema, ichthyosis, hay fever, obesity, women, as well as children or teenagers.

Is there any way to treat the condition?

As mentioned above, keratosis pilaris is an incurable condition. But you must certainly visit a dermatologist, who can suggest some good moisturisers to soothe your skin. There are many prescription creams that can eliminate dead skin cells or prevent hair follicles from being blocked. Look out for creams that have urea and lactic acid, because they help a lot!

There are also some home remedies you can make a note of:

1. Take warm baths: Make sure to take short and warm baths to unclog pores. You can use a stiff brush to remove bumps. Do not spend too much time taking a bath.
2. Exfoliate: By exfoliating your skin every day, you can remove dead skin that’s building up.
3. Apply a hydrating lotion: Make sure to use lotions with alpha hydroxy acid (AHAs) like lactic acids that can hydrate dry skin, and at the same time, encourage cell turnover.
4. Do not wear tight clothes
5. Use humidifiers

And do not worry, because you are beautiful just the way you are! As Yami rightly said, “I didn’t feel like airbrushing my folliculitis or smoothing that ‘under-eye’ or ‘shaping up’ that waist a tiny bit more! And yet, I feel beautiful.”