Often after shaving or waxing, hair grows under the skin. The result is dense pink bumps that are painful to touch. We tell you why they appear, how to get rid of them, and why you shouldn’t try to get ingrown hairs out with tweezers.
Why do hairs grow in?
Ingrown hairs are a side effect of hair removal. Most often, this occurs as a result of shaving, tweezing, or waxing in areas such as the face and neck, armpits, and pubic area. Ingrown hairs are also a problem for people with curly hair. Curly hair tends to grow inward rather than outward.
During shaving, only the visible part of the hair is removed , and the bulb itself remains. Normally, the hair grows back at a right angle, but due to frequent use of the razor, it can change direction. The hair will rest against the skin and continue to grow inward, not outward.
Waxing and plucking remove the hair completely with the hair follicle. But after this, the hair may also start growing incorrectly. This happens either because the angle changes or because the pore in which the hair sits closes . The pore closes due to irritation and inflammation, which often occur during waxing. The skin reacts to irritation by renewing the surface layer. And the pores through which the hair should grow again are clogged with dead cells. And the hair has nowhere to grow.
When the area of irritation becomes inflamed, you will see a pink or red bump, often with purulent white contents on top. Through it, you will see the dark outline of the hair. This is how ingrowth differs from an infection of the hair follicle – folliculitis .
Is it possible to get ingrown hairs with tweezers? And squeeze out inflammation?
Unfortunately, no. You shouldn’t pull out hair with tweezers, and especially not press on the inflamed area (really, really shouldn’t). Even if it seems like a great idea, and you have tools and a bottle of alcohol for disinfection at hand.
An ingrown hair is a source of inflammation. Trying to open it can result in an infection that will have to be treated with a course of antibiotics or prescription ointments with steroid hormones. But a doctor should prescribe them.
Do not try to get rid of ingrown hairs on your own – wait until the inflammation goes away on its own. All you need to do is treat the infected area carefully – wash it with water, treat it with an antiseptic and do not remove hair from it for a while. If it seems that the infection is going away slowly and there are no changes, you can use an over-the-counter ointment with hydrocortisone. It suppresses inflammation, and also the proliferation of microbes, if the composition contains an antibiotic.
How to prevent ingrown hairs? Should I change the type of hair removal?
Canadian dermatologists believe that the best thing to do is simply leave the hairs in the areas where they are growing in, although they understand that for most people this is an impossible mission.
The UK guidelines are less strict, advising that you should spend more time preparing for shaving and waxing to reduce the occurrence of ingrown hairs.
For example, razors should be changed regularly and thrown away if they become dull. And when shaving, rinse them with water after each pass over the skin. Another important tip is to remove hair in the direction of its growth , not against it.
If all this seems like torture, then it is worth changing the method of hair removal. For example, buy a depilatory cream or take a closer look at the laser.
What should I apply to my skin between epilation and depilation to prevent ingrown hairs?
Another effective way to prevent ingrown hairs is to take care of the skin that is subject to shaving and waxing.
To do this, you will need exfoliating products in the form of scrubs or peels. You can use any scrub you like, but remember that large and hard particles can damage the skin. Excessive damage to the skin will also provoke inflammation, so cleanse it with light massage movements without pressure.
Peels with salicylic or lactic acid act more gently and cleanse pores of dead cells more effectively. Peels are often released in the form of tonics and sprays, which can be soaked into a cotton pad and wiped onto the desired areas.
