The fashion for well-groomed smooth skin appeared many years ago. To date, there are a huge number of ways to remove unwanted vegetation on any part of the body or face. However, this procedure has one negative aspect - after depilation, hair often begins to grow in.
What is an ingrown hair?
Ingrown is a hair that continues to grow and develop not on the surface of the skin, but under it.
Usually this happens after using products that remove vegetation from the root (waxing, sugaring or a mechanical epilator). Shaving is rarely the cause of ingrown hairs.
Ingrown Types:
- When the hair cannot break through the skin and continues to grow under the skin.
- When a hair that has already grown on the surface suddenly begins to bend and grow back.
Symptoms and signs
The occurrence of this unpleasant problemcharacterized by symptoms such as the appearance of:
- Papule.
- Pustule.
A papule is a small inflamed bump above the surface of the skin, and a pustule is the same elevation on the surface, only filled with pus.
Redness, inflammation, pain when pressed, itching are possible around the area with an ingrown hair. Sometimes the color of the skin in this area may change (either darken, or, conversely, become lighter). Traces of ingrown hairs look ugly. They can even cause scars. Such traces disappear for a very long time after epilation. An ingrown hair remedy can help reduce these negative effects a little.
Main affected areas
Pseudofolliculitis (ingrown hair) is most common in areas of the body such as:
- Legs.
- Armpit.
- Intimate area.
- Face.
More often people with thick, strong hair suffer from this scourge, especially those with curly hair. Girls with light, thin hair are less likely to experience the problem.
Ingrown hair is a process that is not harmful to he alth. It's more of an aesthetic issue. Traces of ingrown hairs can cause a lot of inconvenience. Pseudofolliculitis can lead to scarring, scarring, pigmentation, and skin infection.
Causes of the problem
Ingrown hairs can be caused by depilation methods such as:
- waxing;
- sugar paste;
- using the epilator;
- plucking.
Ingrown hair occurs due to the formation on the surface of the skin of the stratum corneum of dead skin cells. It does not allow new, still weak hair to break through. In addition, very often the inaccurate use of depilatory products or the inexperience of the master can lead to the fact that the hair simply changes its growth trajectory. It may begin to grow horizontally, which will cause it to constantly grow.
There can be many reasons. This is a genetic predisposition, and hormonal changes in the body, especially the growth and quality of hair.
Often a woman encounters a problem only during pregnancy or during another hormonal failure.
If the hair is very thick, and the girl's skin is dense, then problems cannot be avoided. Sometimes the cause can be a women's razor, which leads to cutting the hair too close to the skin. This leads to injury to the skin, and tight and synthetic clothing, such as tights and guipure lingerie, only worsens the situation.
Ingrown hair remedies
It is not always worth sounding the alarm when you have an ingrown hair and running to the pharmacy for medical supplies or to the hair removal salon. Sometimes they grow to the surface on their own. If this did not happen and the area of \u200b\u200bthe skin begins to inflame, then you can use methods such as:
- Steaming the skin.
- Removing the problem with tweezers.
- Exfoliate dead skin cells.
- Using a chemical peel.
- Appeal to a specialist (surgeon, cosmetologist).
Steaming the skin
The method will help to cope with the problem at the initial stage of its development. To do this, use warm water and a soft cloth. You can steam your skin simply by using a soft cloth and warm water, but taking a bath is best. After steaming and opening the pores, the skin should be rubbed well. This is often enough to allow the hair to grow out.
Removing the problem with tweezers
Using tweezers is a method that is not suitable for everyone. For those with sensitive skin prone to redness and scarring, it is better to choose another method.
Using tweezers, you can try to remove the ingrown hair. If this cannot be done, because it is deeply embedded in the skin, then you can use a needle. With it, you need to pierce the skin and help the hair come out. When using this method, it is imperative to sterilize all instruments used to avoid infection and suppuration of the site.
Exfoliate dead skin cells
The use of methods for removing the stratum corneum of the skin is an easy method to perform, however, it requires regularity. Before performing any depilation procedure, it is recommended to pre-prepare the skin.
After showering, exfoliate your skin with a scrub or hard washcloth. This will help remove dead scales, free the pores and the surface of the skin for new hair growth. The procedure should be repeated every two or three days. itwill keep the skin clean, smooth and prevent the occurrence of pseudofolliculitis. A hard washcloth, gloves or a washcloth mitt are very suitable for the procedure.
On the shelves of stores you can often find a scrub for ingrown hairs, peeling and other products with abrasive substances. A similar remedy can be prepared at home. Take s alt, sugar or coffee, mix with honey, vegetable oils, and you will get a wonderful and he althy scrub.
After the procedure, be sure to use a moisturizer or lotion for ingrown hairs ("Gloria Shugaring", "Folisan", etc.). This will help soften the skin and prevent the problem from reoccurring.
Using a chemical peel (salicylic acid for ingrown hairs)
Chemical peeling is a product containing various acids (salicylic, glycolic, citric and others).
Acids dissolve the surface layer of the skin, allowing new hair to sprout freely. Use of this method is possible in rare cases and only with great care, since the wrong proportions of acid or too long exposure to it can lead to burns.
Peels can also be used to prevent pseudofolliculitis. Salicylic acid for ingrown hairs is a universal remedy. Using acids superficially and in small amounts can help avoid the problem.
Contact a specialist
One ofThe negative consequences of an ingrown hair can be the development of folliculitis. The disease is characterized by the formation of a cyst or the formation of a purulent abscess. It looks like a small bump.
When a problem like this occurs, don't panic. If the inflammation is not severe, it may pass. There are times when an abscess opens on its own, then one or more hairs can be removed from it. It is recommended to limit the aggressive effect on the affected area of the skin and cancel any depilation procedures. The site must be treated with some kind of antiseptic (for example, chlorhexidine). Additionally, you can use products containing an antibiotic or benzoyl peroxide.
If the area is severely affected and the tumor does not go away for several days, then a visit to a cosmetologist or an epilation salon can no longer be postponed. In severe cases, with the development of purulent inflammation, antibiotics are additionally prescribed.
Folk recipe
The easiest and cheapest way to get rid of folliculitis is to use aspirin. Take a tablet, crush it, dilute it with water and stir to a puree. The resulting mass should be applied to the inflamed area of \u200b\u200bthe skin, and after hardening, gently rinse with water. The procedure will need to be repeated periodically.
The use of such products increases the possibility of self-resorption of inflammation.
Ingrown hair prevention
There are simple rules to help reduce the likelihoodingrown hairs.
- Exfoliation of the stratum corneum with additional products. You can use various methods and devices: hard washcloth, mitten, scrub or peeling. In this rule, the main thing is regularity. Do not forget to exfoliate both before the procedure and every 3-4 days after epilation. An ingrown hair remedy will help you achieve maximum results.
- There are also certain rules for women using electric epilators. So, the device is recommended to be held only at an angle of ninety degrees. This will help to more effectively and accurately remove hairs on the skin. In addition, the procedure should not be done in a hurry.
- If a girl is a supporter of visiting a hair removal salon, then you should make sure of the qualifications of the master, his experience and the availability of relevant professional skills. Pay attention to the cleanliness of the tools and materials used. Ask what product he uses before and after hair removal. An ingrown hair remedy will help you avoid inflammatory skin reactions.
- For this method of depilation, like shaving, there are rules. A women's razor should be of high quality and have good blades. The direction of the blade stroke can play a big role. Experiment, try shaving both along the hairline and against it. The degree of pressure is also an important detail. It is not recommended to press the razor too hard, as you can damage the hair and change its growth. Too soft pressure can lead to the fact that the effect of the procedure will not be as ideal as we would like. Therefore, it is necessaryfind the right technique for you. Focus on your feelings and skin reactions. After each pass over the skin, the blade must be cleaned, and the depilation procedure must always end with gentle cleansing of the skin and the application of a special lotion. Shaving cream is also important. Choose only goods from trusted manufacturers (Nivea, Gillette, etc.). It is desirable that the composition contains moisturizing ingredients that care for the skin after epilation. An ingrown hair remedy can help prevent follicles.
A few simple rules:
- The razor should be of good quality (eg Gillette venus).
- Don't tighten your skin while shaving, relax.
- During the procedure, do not press too hard on the machine.
- Choose sharp blades from a trusted brand (such as Gillette venus). Very often, the cause of ingrown hairs is a banal neglect of the period of use of the blades.
- Do not neglect skin care during and after the procedure. Aftershave and skin care cream is a must have for every epilator.
Epilation methods and ingrown hairs
It's not so much the way you remove unwanted vegetation that matters, but the correct skin care before and after the procedure. So, many advertising sites do not get tired of claiming that certain methods contribute to the development of ingrownhairs are smaller than the rest (for example, shugaring). In reality, this is not so. The same sugaring is just a new fashionable fashion trend. Practice and experience have shown that the use of sugar paste will not save a woman from ingrown hair if she has a predisposition to it.
In such a delicate matter as the removal of unwanted vegetation, the main thing is to find a professional who can competently and safely carry out the procedure. The depilation technique plays a huge, one might say, leading role.
Conclusion
Thus, despite the abundance of ways and means to combat ingrown hairs, it is better to prevent the problem from occurring by following simple tips. Treatment of folliculitis that has already occurred is troublesome, and often ugly marks on the skin still remain.