The Pain of Ingrown Hairs – How Can You Prevent Ingrown Hairs, Razor Bumps, and Razor Burns?
An ingrown hair is a hair that curls back and starts growing back into the follicle. It is can also be explained as a hair that stays inside the follicle, but keeps growing. Usually this problem only causes irritation, a bit of stinging and a bit of pain, but it can turn more severe and even get infected if you don’t take care of the problem. For people that shave regularly, this might become a bothersome problem. Find out what you can do to get rid of the pain of ingrown hairs.
More about Ingrown Hairs and Razor Bumps
Like mentioned before, this problem can turn into a more bothersome issue once infection takes place. Pseudofolliculitis barbae, better known as razor bumps or razor burns are irritated and small bumps on the skin. They are developed just like ingrown hairs; the hair curs back on themselves and grow into the skin. The problem with razor bumps or razor burns is that they can also cause pimples and scarring.
Nobody wants to have a more severe case of ingrown hairs, it’s imperative to know what you can do to prevent these tiny hazards from affecting your appearance and wellbeing. Knowing how to properly shave is the number one prevention method in the book.
Shaving 101
*Wet: Your skin must have been wet for at least 5 minutes before even thinking of shaving. Wet hair is easier to cut than those dry, hard hairs. Using a hot towel on your face or showering before you shave will help to soften the hairs for an even closer and consequential-free shave.
*Direction: You have to shave in the same direction as your hairs. This will prevent the hair from being cut too short.
*Prevent: You can prevent ingrown hairs and razor bumps by shaving with deliberate strokes. Repeated strokes over the same area of your skin can result in cutting the hair to short.
*Moisturize: After having razor blades against your skin you’ll notice that your skin is quite dry. A moisturizer will help you moisturize and protect your skin from the formation of new ingrown hairs and razor bumps.
Other Prevention Methods
Since shaving isn’t the only thing you can do to prevent and get rid of razor bumps, I’ve found a few pointers that might be useful in your daily choices.
*Avoid Problem Areas: In you notice an area with skin irritation, don’t shave over that spot more if you are acne-prone, make sure you don’t run the blade more than once in that area. Doing it can make your pimples sore and can cause even uglier breakouts.
*Take a Break: Taking a break from your everyday shaving routine can be one of the single best things you can do for your skin. Let it breed, give the skin a razor blade vacation over the weekend.
*No Collar: Using a power suit is many people’s work outfit, but if you have ingrown hairs, avoid using shirts with collars regularly. Since the collar is just by your neck and jaw line it may trap sweat and oil contributing to clogs. A tight collar around your neck will also rub constantly adding irritation.
*Also Cordless: When you shave with electric razors, you might be even more prone to problem skin. They cut off the hair in several directions making it more likely for the hair to turn and grown back into the follicle.
By Anonymous