Ingrown Hair – Pesky Little Things

There aren’t many who shave, can attest that they have never had the problem of ingrown hair. It seems like they are a part and parcel of shaving or waxing.

They are a frustrating problem that doesn’t seem to go away.

We would like to help you with this, how to treat it as well as prevent it.

First…

What is an Ingrown Hair?

An ingrown hair is when the sharp tip of the newly growing hair curls back into the skin instead of growing out. Methods like shaving, waxing, tweezing can cause ingrown hairs. Because of curling back into the skin, due to inflammation, the area becomes red and sometimes looks like a pimple.

They can basically pop up any part of the body that is shaved or waxed. The most common places are legs, armpits, pubic area, and face.

To learn how to handle ingrown hairs – preferably avoid them – we consulted with our dermatologists in all the clinics, on what causes them, treat and prevent them from appearing altogether.

What Causes Ingrown Hair?

The primary reason for ingrown hair is improper shaving methods or waxing not correctly.

Shaving too close to the skin creates a sharp tip, most hairs grow back without any problem but a few curls back on themselves and grow into the skin. When this happens, the body responds as its hair was an intruder, causing inflammation, which is a typical symptom of ingrown hair.

There are chances that the dead skin cells and debris that clog pores can lead to ingrown hairs.

How to Treat Ingrown Hairs?

Typically, ingrown hairs resolve on their own. But, if they don’t, resist the urge to remove it yourself. It may seem like a minor thing but it can lead to major problems, if not performed safely and correctly.

At home, you can never properly disinfect or sterilize a needle or tweezers. Or the fact that you can safely remove the hair without hurting yourself in the process, particularly in tricky places. Instead, go to a dermatologist, they are trained to deal with these types of things.

There are in-clinic treatments like chemical peels that work on ingrown hair. A chemical peel exfoliates the skin, removing the dirt and dead skin cells helping to get rid do the ingrown hair.

One sure way to avoid them is opting to get Laser Hair Removal. Getting it will surely reduce your chance of shaving and waxing and in turn ingrown hairs.