Komal Parmar
Hair Removal Techniques That Actually Cause Ingrown Hairs
Ingrown hairs can be a pain that no one wants to deal with. These are hairs that choose not come through normally, but instead, curl around and grow back into the skin. They are easy to spot because they usually leave a pimple like raised red bump, which often irritates the skin. Men usually get these on their chins after a shave while women can have the ingrown hairs on bikini lines, under arms or legs. Did you know that the shaving methods you use can lead to ingrown hairs? Find out the hair removal techniques to avoid if you want to steer clear of ingrown hairs.
Shaving with Clogged or Dull Razors
Both men and women shave. While this usually works well, you have to be mindful of the tools you use for the job. If you are using unclean and dull razors, you can be sure that they will cause the hairs to curls back into your skin. The best thing to do is use electric shavers that will allow you to shave close and clean to avoid the growth of ingrown hairs.
It is also important to shave with shaving gels if you want to end up with smooth skin. It is also advisable to shave against the direction in which the hair is growing so that you do not have to keep shaving all the time. When you only cut the hair above the skin, trust it will grow back very fast.
Waxing
Waxing involves the use of melted warm wax that you apply on the skin in strips in the direction of the hair growth before pulling it in the opposite direction. Many people love this hair removal method because it makes it easier for you to remove the entire hair including the root.
Even though waxing almost does the job perfectly, it can also cause ingrown hairs especially if you are fond of using this technique in the bikini area. Experts recommend that you always exfoliate the skin before going in for waxing. This helps to get rid of dead skin cells that clog the hair follicles leading to the risk of ingrown hairs.
The Use of Depilatory Creams
Depilatory creams have chemicals that dissolve the hair found on the surface of the skin. These are available without any prescription. The creams allow users to get rid of hair in an affordable and pain-free manner. Ingrown hairs can, however, still occur if you opt to use this method. This especially happens to persons who have very sensitive skin. Anyone who opts to use the creams should always follow the directions on the pack to the latter to minimize irritation.
If you happen to notice that you have ingrown hairs in any part of your body, you will be happy to learn that you can easily take care of this at home. There are a couple of treatment options to explore such as:
- Using a soft toothbrush or warm cloth – You can gently coax out the ingrown hairs using a warm cloth or a very soft toothbrush. Soak your washcloth in warm water and apply it to the affected area. This helps to relax the pores as well as the follicles. Rub the cloth in a circular motion to uncurl the hair. If you prefer using a toothbrush rub it gently in a circular motion to unclog the follicles and release any trapped hair.
- Use tweezers – If you do not have the patience to allow the ingrown hairs to go away on their own, you can also use tweezers to pull the hair straight. Be warned that this may be a little bit painful and you should only do it for the hair that is above the skin. Do not pluck out the hair because there are high chances it will grow back as ingrown.
You may need to see a doctor if the ingrown hair becomes infected leaving behind a scar and dark skin. The medical professional may use a sterile needle or scalpel to make a small cut on the skin to release the hair. He or she may also prescribe medicine that will help bring down any irritation or swelling and advise accordingly.