If you’ve ever noticed dark dots or open pores on your legs after shaving or self-tanning, you’ve likely Googled “strawberry skin” or “strawberry legs” in search of a fix. The results? Endless forums, threads and articles filled with conflicting advice and frustration. So what actually causes strawberry skin, and how do you get rid of it?
We asked top dermatologists to break down the most common culprits behind those spotty pores and share the most effective treatments to smooth things out.
Featured Experts
- Karyn Grossman, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in Santa Monica, CA
- Julie Russak, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in New York
1. Folliculitis
“There are a few things that could be causing this,” says Santa Monica, CA dermatologist Karyn Grossman, MD. One of the most common is folliculitis, which can occur after shaving or waxing. “With folliculitis, the hair has a hard time coming through the surface of the skin and it causes little bumps on a temporary basis.”
New York dermatologist Julie Russak, MD agrees, noting that folliculitis is especially common on the backs of the legs. “It can be caused by tight clothes and friction,” she explains. “Friction causes inflammation, and when combined with bacteria in pores, inflammatory red bumps are created.”
Another possibility? Open comedones. “This means the pore is wide open and filled with excess skin debris, oil and bacteria that leave your pores looking darker than they should,” says Dr. Grossman. A dull razor can also contribute by tugging at the hair without fully removing it, leaving the follicle open and clogged.
Treatment Tip:
To treat folliculitis, Dr. Russak recommends in-office chemical peels to exfoliate dead skin, unclog pores, kill bacteria and lighten pigmentation.
2. Keratosis Pilaris (KP)
The second type of strawberry skin is keratosis pilaris, or KP. “Keratosis pilaris is a genetic condition where keratotic plugs are present around hair follicles,” says Dr. Russak. “Keratin forms a scaly plug that blocks the opening of the hair follicle, and the plugs create patches of rough, bumpy skin.”
Treatment Tip:
Dr. Russak suggests Glytone’s KP Kit ($75), which includes a glycolic acid cleanser and moisturizer to exfoliate and smooth rough bumps. Another derm-approved pick: Prequel Urea Advanced Relief Moisturizing Milk ($22) which uses urea to exfoliate and unclog pores.
3. Post-Tan Pores
If your dark dots tend to show up after self-tanning, Dr. Grossman says it’s because tanning creams stain the upper layers of the skin. “If someone has a thickening of the skin, such as on the knees, elbows or palms, the self-tanner will take stronger in this area,” she explains. This can highlight already-open pores and make them appear darker.
Treatment Tip:
Exfoliate regularly with gentle scrubs or tools like the Soft Services Buffing Bar ($30 for two) or Topicals Slather Exfoliating & Smoothing Bar ($28 for two) to clear out pore blockages—especially before self-tanning. Shaving less often (or switching to waxing, laser, or IPL) can also help reduce the appearance of strawberry skin over time.
