Ingrown Hair Removal Guide
If you have ever had an ingrown hair, you know how painful and unsightly they can be. Ingrown hair results from hair that has curled under the skin or has grown sideways. Common symptoms include skin inflammation, razor bumps, and itchy skin. If not treated properly, the skin surrounding the ingrown hair may become infected. People with curlier, thick-to-coarse hair tend to get more ingrown hair than others.
Ingrown hair can be difficult to treat. The best remedy against ingrown hair is prevention. To prevent ingrown hairs from growing in the first place, try shaving in the direction of hair growth. It’s important to exfoliate and moisturize your skin. There are special aftershave creams and gels that will soothe skin after shaving, and some shaving creams are formulated to fight against ingrown hairs while shaving.
Even if you are very careful, you can still get ingrown hair. The good news is, there are a few ways to get rid of ingrown hair. One ingrown hair removal method involves exfoliating the skin with facial or body scrubs, then using a pair of tweezers to grab the hair and pull it out. Another idea for ingrown hair removal is the use of special lotions and creams specially made to lift ingrown hair. Using these creams and lotions will usually remove ingrown hair in one to two days. You can find ingrown hair removal products, including special tweezers, in drugstores and on the internet. However, you should see the dermatologist for extremely difficult cases, or if no ingrown hair removal method works for you.
For some, it takes time to get rid of ingrown hair. You may have to gently exfoliate the area for a few days before the hair tip surfaces. In other cases, the skin may be too irritated or swollen to treat, so you will have to wait several days to attempt to remove the ingrown hair. To reduce irritation, you can use vitamin E oils, first aid and other topical creams, and cooling aftershave lotions. You may also take ibuprofen or another oral medication to relieve pain. To avoid infection and further skin irritation, products like Neosporin may help. Always keep the affected area clean to promote healing.
Those who are prone to ingrown hairs should avoid shaving altogether. If you must shave, always use a sharp blade, as dull ones are usual culprits of ingrown hair. Depilatory creams and waxing may be a better idea. Using depilatory cream works because the tip of the hair that remains after use is rounded, unlike the sharp tip that results from shaving. Waxing or plucking, when done properly, will also work because the entire hair is removed and the tip of the new hair is thin. Laser hair removal or electrolysis will permanently remove hair so that little or no hair will grow back in the treated area. Each method of hair removal has its advantages and benefits, so see your dermatologist for help.
Laura Scott – Laura Scott is a freelance writer who has been publishing articles online since 2002. When she’s not writing, Laura enjoys walking her two dogs Danger …