They’re ugly, sometimes itchy and even painful, no fun at all. In the pursuit of soft, smooth skin we can inadvertently cause ourselves to suffer from the annoyance known as ingrown hairs. Ingrown hairs are a common issue and it’s something our clients often ask us about. Today we’re going to dive into this bumpy issue and discuss how to prevent and treat ingrown hairs.
An ingrown hair is a hair that grows into the skin rather than out of it. Sometimes a hair may grow sideways or curl back into the skin. They often cause a bump and are reddish in colour, something resembling a pimple. They’re more common with thick, coarse hair and usually occur in areas where hair is regularly removed like our underarms or the groin area. Like acne, they can be caused by dead skin cells clogging our skin and preventing hair follicles from growing properly. Sometimes a hair is cut short and the now-pointed end grows into the skin thickened by regular irritating hair removal.
Preventing future ingrown hairs and treating ones you already have can be done easily and at the same time. Prevention and treatment mean giving your skin some extra TLC with proper exfoliation and hydration.
Exfoliation is key to preventing and treating ingrown hairs. Exfoliation, whether with a scrub or an exfoliating acid, reduces dead skin cell build up and helps ingrown hairs to come out of the skin. We know the idea of using acids on skin, especially sensitive skin, can seem scary but it is often quite gentle and less irritating to skin than physical scrubs. Chemical exfoliating acids called AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) include glycolic acid and lactic acid help to gently exfoliate skin on a daily basis preventing acne and ingrown hairs while helping to boost skin cell turnover. They can be found in serums and creams.
Keeping skin hydrated helps to protect skin from irritation during hair removal and helps calm skin down afterward. Make sure to use a moisturizer regularly after bathing and after hair removal to keep your skin hydrated and protected.
Reducing the frequency of your hair removal can also help reduce ingrown hairs, as your current hair removal strategy may be irritating your skin, leading to ingrown hairs. For example, shaving daily can really irritate skin so consider reducing your frequency of shaving or opt for another hair removal method like sugaring. If you’re having a real problem with ingrown hairs your doctor may prescribe a retinoid or topical steroid to increase skin cell turnover and reduce inflammation.
It’s important not to pick at ingrown hairs. Picking at them can lead to infection which may require medication from a doctor to heal from. If you think an ingrown hair may be infected, talk to your doctor who may prescribe you antibiotics.
And there you have it! All you need to know to prevent and treat ingrown hairs. Like most aspects of personal care, it’s all about continued maintenance and being gentle.
