Ingrown hairs are more than just a cosmetic inconvenience; but what are they? A hair that first began to grow outward (as hair typically does) and then curled under itself and started to grow inward, beneath the epidermis of your skin, is called ingrown hair.
This inward development produces a little bump that may resemble a pimple in areas like your calf or bikini line that don’t often get acne.
People who have curly hair are more prone to getting ingrown hairs because curly hair tends to grow in non-linear orientations. However, anyone might acquire them because of common activities like perspiration, the production of natural oils, and hair removal.
They can appear anywhere, although they are more common in areas that are often waxed, such as the bikini line, underarms, and eyebrows. No matter how or why you developed ingrown hairs, here is your guide to permanently getting rid of them!
A weekly exfoliation routine will help avoid the buildup of dead skin cells on the skin’s surface that can lead hair to grow sideways due to clogging. Choose high-quality body exfoliants that contain both lactic acid and actual micro-dermabrasion grains. When it comes to removing those “dead, follicle-clogging cells,” they make it incredibly effective. Skin will be smoother and less prone to ingrown hairs thereafter.
This may sound painful, but not more painful than having to live with an ingrown. If the hair is visible and above the skin, wipe the tweezer with a cotton swab. But make sure to dip it in rubbing alcohol before removing it. Don’t try to pick anything that you can’t! Tweezers pushed into your skin will only make things worse.
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However, if the hair is immediately beneath the skin’s surface, you can use a warm compress to relax the skin before carefully pricking it with a sterile needle and tweezing.
The hair must be as close to the surface as possible in order for the prick to be as light as a feather and insufficiently deep to draw blood. When we say gently, we really mean it. You can then use your sterile needle to pull the hair out if the prick exposes it.
Hands off if the slight puncture doesn’t reveal any hair! Treat the region with a chemical exfoliator like salicylic acid or alpha hydroxy acid after pulling or pricking the ingrown hair. After that, apply a small amount of Polysporin and leave it alone!
A carrier (such as avocado or coconut oil – something that won’t rapidly dissolve the granules) and an exfoliant (or another mild granular component, such as sea salt or granulated sugar) can be combined to create any DIY scrub. This mixture prevents follicles from becoming clogged and gently massages ingrown hairs out before they swell up or get infected.
Shaving isn’t harmful because it is just another physical exfoliation method, but the way that hair regrows after shaving might cause issues. Due to the razor’s precise, pointy tip, which cuts hair at an acute angle, ingrown hairs are more likely to occur as the shaved hair grows back. Shave your hair against the grain if you prefer it. If you like it, shave against the grain of your hair. It might lessen the likelihood of ingrown hairs later on.
One method to weaken new hair growth and avoid ingrown hair is waxing. If waxing seems too unpleasant, consider using depilatory lotions or an electric hair removal gadget that doesn’t require odour, waiting, deep breathing, or cleanup.
Black tea, in particular, has anti-inflammatory characteristics that calm the skin and lessen the redness. Tea is recognized to have several natural therapeutic effects. Additionally, it contains antioxidants like caffeine, which in addition to being a staple of our morning ritual, has wonderful anti-ageing and acne prevention properties.
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Caffeine is a key treatment for ingrown hairs due to its anti-inflammatory qualities.
Here are the tips to prevent ingrown hair in the future.
Dry skin will result in the hair breaking at the follicle’s surface rather than being removed. As a result, the hair will quickly grow back ingrown, break, and curl under the skin. To avoid the hair splitting at the surface during body waxing, give your skin regular nourishment and hydration.
In order for your hair to regrow healthier than before, you should also maintain your skin moisturized and hydrated following your session. To keep the region moist, moisturize the skin up to the day of your wax.
It is advised to apply a suitable moisturizer on a daily basis to help slough off dead skin cells that could lead to ingrown hairs. Apply liberally to all body parts following a bath or shower. However, since your vaginal area is already naturally moist, avoid over-moisturizing it. A natural product that can lock up to 10 times more moisture on wet skin than a typical lotion can on dry skin might be worth looking into.
Be aware that what you wear can influence how ingrown hairs look and develop. Wearing clothes that are too tight will actually force your hair to grow back into your skin rather than outward, so wear breathable, loose-fitting clothing after your wax to help your skin breathe. Providing your freshly waxed region with air will encourage healthy hair growth.
Despite your temptation, do not pluck these annoying and persistent ingrown hairs if you follow these instructions and they continue to form. Scarring or, worse, an infection results from plucking. You can apply a cold water bath or washcloth to the affected area for several minutes every few hours to provide instant relief.
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Small ingrown hairs typically go away by themselves. Ingrown hair can cause serious skin damage if they are not correctly treated, and it may even make you sick enough to need medical attention.
While unpleasant, ingrown hairs are not life-threatening and typically go away on their own. But there are things you may take to aid yourself if you can’t handle the unpleasant, itching feeling.
Simple adjustments to your shaving or washing routine can help you and your hair go in the correct direction, especially if you have thick or curly hair.
Filed under: Beauty, Skin Care, Tips and Myths
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