All About Ingrown Hairs
Ingrown hairs… they hurt, they are annoying, and even though we want to, they’re just hard to ignore! Ingrown hairs can be due to improper aftercare and a build up of dead cells, bacteria and sebum. Now the important questions… what can I do to prevent in-growns? And if I get one what can I do to get rid of it? What is safe to do and what is not? Welcome to your crash course in ingrown hair care. Let’s dig in together!
How Do I Get Ingrown Hairs?
Ingrown hairs are shaved, tweezed, or waxed hairs that grow back under the skin causing a little red, inflamed bump to appear. These bumps are often filled with pus, bacteria, and hair. While it can be uncomfortable, it is a common thing that happens. This is typically caused by the hair strand breaking while being removed, especially during shaving or waxing. Other causes may be excessive dead skin that was not removed properly or was not well maintained, or your hair just has more natural curl which can make it grow back into the skin. The good news is there are a couple options to help remedy the problems!
How Do I Get Rid Of Ingrown Hairs?
Ingrown hairs can be difficult to remove safely on your own. The best way to get them removed is to set up an appointment with an esthetician or dermatologist and have them remove the ingrown hair. They will gently remove the hair and then provide aftercare instructions to prevent further ingrown hairs and inflammation. They will help treat the area to improve the healing time, and comfort of the recovery process. You can also gently exfoliate the area until the hair comes out on its own. You can gently exfoliate with a washcloth or a dry brush. But do not use anything with fragrances, like salt or sugar scrubs, as this can cause irritation to the affected area.
How Do I Prevent Ingrown Hairs?
The best way to prevent ingrown is to keep up on your exfoliation by using a washcloth or a dry brush. If you decide to use a washcloth, you can exfoliate as regularly every other day. But if you are using something as aggressive as a dry brush, it is recommended to use it every 3-4 days. Good quality skincare acids like Salicylic Acid or Glycolic Acid are great to use in addition to manual exfoliators. Just talk to your esthetician about recommendations specifically for you and the proper way to use acids safely!
You Got This!
Ingrown hair can be an annoying side effect to hair removal, but with proper communication with your licensed professional and a good game plan, they will not bother you for long! They can be easily managed with consistent proper body care. There is no need to be afraid of ingrown hairs anymore! For more help and guidance on ingrown hairs, visit one of our skilled licensed Estheticians!
