Ingrown hair – we have all had them, and we detest them. With good cause. The pesky situation happens post-hair-removal, whether or not it is waxing or shaving, and leaves behind offended pink bumps. So what precisely is an ingrown hair? “Ingrown hair is hair that isn’t rising out of the pores and skin’s floor however is twirling itself in,” says Dr. Rashmi Shetty, Movie star Dermatologist, Founder and Creator of Sol Pores and skin Corp. “It grows inside your pores and skin as a result of it’s trapped beneath a layer of lifeless pores and skin or as a result of this hair has misplaced its manner and didn’t discover the pure opening to return out.” It may be painful and result in a bacterial an infection, hyperpigmentation, or cussed blemishes. “Lot of instances, ingrowth occurs on the butt and the bark of your thigh due to lengthy hours of sitting,” says Dr. Shetty. For starters, “don’t irritate the pores and skin and keep away from carrying tight clothes.”
When you’re affected by these infected bumps, right here’s what you are able to do to banish them.
Waxing > shaving
Whereas each may cause ingrown hair, waxing leads to fewer ingrown hair as a result of it removes the hair roots from the follicle. Shaving removes the floor hair, which signifies that the basis may develop extra hair stems in the identical follicle, one in all which may develop again into the pores and skin. No matter your most well-liked technique, make sure you prep your pores and skin earlier than and after the hair removing course of.
Use bodily or chemical exfoliators
Chemical exfoliators are a saviour for these with ingrown hairs. Prep your pores and skin with lactic, glycolic, or salicylic acid earlier than the hair removing course of. These slough off lifeless pores and skin cells from the pores and skin’s floor, reducing the danger of ingrown hair. They’re equally efficient when treating ingrown hairs, minimising irritation, and lightening pigmentation marks. They dissolve the connections between cells on the floor of the pores and skin to stop hair from changing into trapped. “The exfoliating ingredient releases the highest lifeless layer,” explains Dr. Shetty. “The thought is to take away the lifeless pores and skin. This may be executed with bodily exfoliators like physique scrubs or chemical exfoliation corresponding to AHAs or BHAs.”
Moisturise your pores and skin after
Preserve your pores and skin moisturised and hydrated after hair removing. It reduces irritation and reinforces the pores and skin’s protecting barrier. Particularly should you’re utilizing an exfoliating therapy which might be harsh in your pores and skin and dry it out.
Keep away from fiddling with it
Keep away from tweezing or fiddling with ingrown hair – it may result in additional irritation and irritation. “When you don’t deal with it, you’ll scratch it, attempt to open the lifeless pores and skin, and try to uncoil that hair inside,” says Dr. Shetty. “When you scratch the hair follicles, it’s possible you’ll find yourself with a situation referred to as strawberry legs or postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), which isn’t straightforward to deal with.”
Get laser hair removing
If the issue of ingrown hair persists, take into account laser hair removing for a extra everlasting resolution. This process tackles the hair at a deeper stage, finally slowing its progress. “If the hair is thick and getting broken whereas waxing, strive hair discount laser,” advises Dr. Shetty. Keep away from waxing or shaving. “Don’t traumatise the hair follicle. Once you wax, they yank the hair out. This traumatises the hair, and the entire unit of the hair follicle is disturbed, so when it grows again once more, it won’t develop within the monitor.”
Like all pores and skin situation, visiting a dermatologist for recommendation is crucial. “They offers you medical grade remedies corresponding to stronger peels to exfoliate the lifeless pores and skin,” says Dr. Shetty.
Right here’s a listing of merchandise for clean and bump-free pores and skin:
Murad Clarifying Physique Spray
Paula’s Alternative 2% BHA Physique Spot Exfoliant
Pixi Glycolic Physique Peel
Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Exfoliating Physique Therapy
Minimalist Glycolic + Tranexamic 11% Physique Exfoliator
Malin + Goetz Ingrown Hair Cream
Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Physique Scrub
Victoria’s Secret Lavender & Vanilla Physique Scrub
L’Occitane Almond Scrumptious Paste Physique Cream
Bathtub & Physique Works Lavender Vanilla Shea Sugar Physique Scrub
Additionally learn:
Learn how to eliminate razor bumps: The professional’s information to a clean shave and treating ingrown hairs
5 completely different physique and face hair removing instruments you’ll be able to strive now
4 girls on how laser hair removing modified their lives