Ingrown hair is hair that grows beneath the surface of the instead of growing on the surface of the skin. It’s awful happens when shaved hair grows back into the skin. It is usually undesirable- it does not look so good. It is more common for men who shave facial hair. also, ingrown hair can appear in the armpit, pubic area, or even on the scalp for people that shave their heads. Generally, it happens to people remove hair on the body by waxing, shaving, or tweezing.
How Do You Get Ingrown Hairs?
Hair structure and direction of hair growth have a direct relationship with ingrown hairs. When hair is tightly curled, when it is shaved, it grows back into the skin. Scientifically, it has been said and proven that tightly curled hair is the main reason for ingrown hair and people with thick, curly hair are more likely to have ingrown hairs.
Shaving the hair when it is dry also causes ingrown hairs. This is because sharp edges are created when the hair is not moisturized. Another reason for ingrown hairs is pulling the skin too tight while shaving. It makes already cut hair pull back into the skin making it grow underneath the surface of the skin. Similarly, tweezing can also cause ingrown hairs as it may leave hair under the skin.
When you have ingrown hairs, you may have one or more of the following, regardless of where you have the ingrown
hair: itching, redness of the skin, darkening of the skin( hyperpigmentation), pus-filled lesions(pustules), papules( small rounded bumps), pain, skin inflammation, razor bumps, bacterial infections which may arise from scratching and permanent scarring( keloids). These symptoms occur because when hair grows into the skin, the body responds as if it were a foreign object.
Since ingrown hairs are mainly caused by shaving and waxing, it implies that hair on the body should not be removed at all – well, that’s unrealistic. Some tips that have been proven to be effective in the reduction and eradication of ingrown hairs.
Of all the measures of preventing ingrown hairs, laser hair removal is the most effective. Laser hair removal is considered a semi-permanent hair removal solution. This is because it is a technique that removes hair from the skin on a deeper level by damaging the hair follicles, making it very uncommon for the hair to grow back. Laser hair removal consists of a few series of treatments that may run for days or even weeks but the result is worth it. Although laser hair removal is believed to be ‘very costly’, compared to continuous waxing, the price is not as outrageously high as many think. Also, reputable companies like AHS render laser hair removal services at reasonable prices without compromising quality. Apart from being affordable, their services are fast and are of high standards.
There are also other effective methods of preventing and eradicating ingrown hairs. When there are ingrown hairs on one part of the skin, that part should not be shaved or scratched. This is due to the fact that shaving or scratching the area with ingrown hairs will further worsen the problem because that area is still sensitive. Also, shaving the area can bring discomfort and pain. Once the ingrown hair starts to grow on the skin surface, it is advisable to gently and carefully remove it with tweezers. However, you should be careful not to pull the hair too tight or dig into the skin as this can make the area inflamed. When shaving hair, it should be shaved in the direction in which the hair grows. Also, digging into the skin may make the skin heal over the hair- causing ingrown hair again.
However, there are some parts of the body where hair may be undesirable like the beards(for those that do not like full beards), the neck or, the pubic area. In these instances, shaving might be the preferred option. These tips should be taken note of with regards to shaving. Shaving when the hair is dry also tends to make the hair grow faster and cause ingrown hairs. Before you shave, wash your skin with warm water and apply a facial cleanser that is not harsh to make the hair softer and easier to shave without having to pull the skin. Furthermore, make sure you rinse the blade after each stroke as this removes the shaved hair from the blade, allow it to remove hair easily. It is also important to note that using a blunt blade or used blade can cause ingrown hairs because the blade is worn out and will not remove hair smoothly. For those that use electric clippers or blades, the blade should be held slightly away from the skin in order to prevent close shaving. Also, after shaving, a moisturizing lotion should be applied to the skin.
Studies have revealed that the usage of eflornithine can effectively reduce hair growth. Eflornithine is a prescription drug in the form of a cream that is usually combined with other hair removal methods. Although it is still being researched further, many people use this method.
When there is the occurrence of ingrown hairs, there are a couple of measures that can be adopted to stop or treat it. One of the most common ways is by exfoliating the skin around the ingrown hair. This takes away the dead cells and makes the hair grow to the surface of the skin faster. Doctors usually prescribe retinoids to make the dead skin clear away more speedily and to clear any spots caused by the presence of ingrown hairs. Salicylic acid is also a common exfoliator used to keep the hair follicles clear so that hair can grow on the skin and not hang beneath the surface of the skin. Another common home remedy is the usage of olive oil and sugar to kill bacteria around the area with ingrown hairs and to also moisturize the skin.
Laser hair removal is, by far, the most effective way to eradicate ingrown hair as it stops hair regrowth.
