Prevent Ingrown Hairs
Posted on January 19, 2019
What are ingrown hairs?
Ingrown hairs are small, round bumps that form when the hair follicle grows under the skin, rather than up toward the surface. We always want to do our best to prevent ingrown hairs. The body detects ingrowns as foreign bodies. As a defensive reaction, they may show themselves as small, solid red bumps. These are called papules. On the other hand, they may look similar to a pimple. Small, pus-filled lesions are called pustules. Occasionally, the skin around the bumps may darken and the ingrowns may cause some pain and itching.What causes ingrowns?
Shaving. It’s important to be careful when using a razor. They should always glide smoothly against the skin, never drag. If the razor is old, it may pull hairs, which will result in ingrowns. It is also more likely that you will nick your skin in the process. You should also never dry shave, as this will create sharper edges and most likely lead to ingrowns. Waxing. While it is less likely to get ingrowns from waxing your skin, it is still a possibility. Ingrown hairs typically occur in areas there is a lot of friction. This is why many of the ingrowns we see are in the pubic and inner thigh area! Tweezing. While it may be effective in removing the hard-to-reach hairs, plucking may leave behind hair fragments under the skin.How to prevent/get rid of ingrown hairs
Ingrowns are typically nothing to worry about and will go away on their own with a bit of time. But, there are a few ways to prevent ingrown hairs from happening and how to take care of your skin after. Let it be. The first tip is to stop hair removal until the ingrown is gone. Continuing to remove hair, scratch, or pick at it may irritate the skin further and possibly leave a scar. Remove it. Another way to get rid of ingrowns is to remove it with tweezers. If you go this route, it should be done very carefully. First, apply a warm, wet cloth to the area for at least one minute. This will help to open up the follicle and make the skin softer. Then, carefully take a sanitary tweeze and pull the hair upwards and out of the skin. This should only be done if the hair is starting to peak on the surface. Never dig into your skin! This could cause many problems, such as infections, scars, and pushing the ingrown further underneath the surface. Keep the skin soft. Dry brushing is a great way to get rid of dead skin cells to reveal healthier skin. A dry brush will help to keep
the skin soft, which in turn will keep hair follicles clear, allowing the hair to come up through the surface. Exfoliating scrubs are another way to avoid ingrowns! Exfoliants will also remove dead skin from the surface and clear up follicles. It will also help provide a smoother, cleaner shave. A final technique in keeping the skin soft is to, of course, moisturize. Keeping the skin hydrated helps prevent ingrowns, and is especially important after a wax.