This week we will be discussing all things ingrown hairs!
Ingrown hairs can affect any area of the body you regularly remove hair from including the face, arms, underarms, legs, bikini area, abdomen, and chest.
We're going to let you know how to get rid of these annoying little hairs but before that, let's break down exactly what they are.
What exactly is an ingrown hair and what causes them?
Ingrown hair occurs when a hair that's been removed starts to grow back and curves into the skin. This can be caused by shaving, tweezing or waxing. Wearing tight clothes can also cause ingrown hairs especially during the summer months as the clothes rub against the skin.
People with darker skin tones are also often more prone to these ingrown hairs as their hair is typically more coarse and curly so it’s more inclined to curl back inwards.
An ingrown hair can cause tiny, swollen bumps on the skin that may hurt as the hair is trapped under a skin layer and appears like a bump that is darker than the individual’s skin tone.
Okay, so how can I get rid of them?
As pesky as ingrown hairs can be, thankfully, you can reduce the growth of ingrown hairs by following some simple tips.
While they’re annoying, ingrown hairs usually go away on their own with self care.
1. Try a sugar scrub
Picking or popping an infected ingrown hair increases your risk of complications. Instead, use a sugar scrub to gently scrub the area with warm water and soap. This will help to ease the ingrown hair out of the skin on its own as sugar gently exfoliates away dead skin cells as well as unclogging any blocked follicles. It also aids skin healing to keep it from getting infected.
2. Shave in the direction of the hair
Shaving against the direction of the hair can cut the shaft at an acute angle, which leaves a sharp edge that irritates the skin around the follicle which can cause the hair to grow in between the skin layers.
3. Avoid over tweezing
If you want to speed up the process, you might be able to remove the hair. While you shouldn’t dig out the hair, try bringing the hair to the surface so you can pluck it by using a warm compress. However, go to the doctor if you notice signs of an infection.
Tweezing out one or two ingrown hairs is alright. However, using tweezers too often to remove hair from your face, underarms, legs, or abdomen can open up the pores to dirt and bacteria.
4. Consult a dermatologist
Whilst ingrown hairs are typically common and harmless, there are times when you may need to speak to a doctor or dermatologist.
Mild ingrown hair infections often clear up on their own without treatment. However, you should see your doctor if you find any pus-filled cysts around the ingrown hair and the infection worsens or doesn't improve within a few days. A dermatologist can also help extract them without any risk of infection or wound.
So that's it with our break down on ingrown hairs and how to deal with them. Let us know in the comments if you have any top tips of your own or your experience dealing with them!