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What Is An
Ingrown Hair?
Ingrown hair is a condition
where the hair
curls back or grows sideways
into the skin.
It may or may not be
accompanied by an infection of
the hair
follicle (folliculitis)
or "razor bumps" (Pseudofolliculitis
barbae), which vary in
size. While ingrown hair most
commonly appears in areas
where the skin is shaved (beard,
legs,
pubic
region), it can appear
anywhere.
Anything which causes the hair
to be broken off short with a
sharp tip can cause ingrown
hair. Shaving is the leading
cause, followed by tight
clothing. The embedded hair
causes a localized inflammation
(sometimes painful) response
in the skin. Sometimes ingrown
hair occurs naturally without
shaving.
Symptoms include rash, itching
skin, hair which remains in
spite of shaving, and
infection and pus collecting
under skin. Treatments for
ingrown hairs include putting
a warm washcloth over the
ingrown hair, shaving in a
different direction,
exfoliating with facial
scrubs, sponges, towels, or
creams containing acids,
treatment with Ibuprofen
and prophylaxis
with twice daily topical
application of diluted Glycolic
acid. Ingrown hair will
often fall out after a couple
of weeks. See more specific
examples & information
below.
Types of Ingrown Hairs
Superficial Ingrown
Hair:
One of the most common types
primarily found on the legs,
more specifically on the lower
legs. I refer to this ingrown
hair as superficial because
the hair is not embedded deep
within the epidermis.
Releasing it is relatively
simple.
Cause: Generally, the
superficial ingrown occurs
from a lack of exfoliation.
Solution: Regular
exfoliation. Using massage
gloves at shower and bath time
will help to release and
prevent ingrown hairs.
Dormant Ingrown:
Usually found on the lower
legs, these types of ingrowns
lay parallel to the skin and
are often too deep to remove.
Generally, they dissolve in
time. Dormant ingrowns can be
lanced by a physician.
Cause: The natural
direction of the follicle has
been disrupted and/or the skin
type has keratinized at a
faster rate and in a tighter,
surging pattern. The skin
tends to feel like very tight,
smooth leather. This skin type
makes it more challenging to
remove the hair because the
mouth of the follicle forms
tightly around the hairıs
shaft.
Solution: The #1 skin
solution is regular
exfoliation of the skin
combined with removing the
hair in the natural direction
of growth. (Shave in the
direction of hair growth, not
against it)
The J-Peg Ingrown:
This is a hair inside the
follicle, which begins to curl
back down into the skin as it
grows and attempts to either
pass through the accumulated
dead skin cells covering the
mouth of the follicle or
through an opening that does
not exist. As a direct result,
it creates a bump and can
cause some discomfort until
the hair is released.
Generally, this type does not
become infected when it
develops in areas other than
the face or bikini.
Cause: Lack of
exfoliation and skin
softening. The reason why this
ingrown becomes infected is
the natural direction of the
follicle has been disrupted.
Solution: Epilating a
hair in the natural direction
of growth far exceeds the
benefits of removing it
against the natural direction
of growth. A good home regimen
of exfoliating and hydrating
the skin will allow one to
free their own follicles of
accumulated dead skin cells,
thus preventing the hair to
become ingrown.
The Bikini Ingrown Hair:
These ingrown hairs most often
look like little black dots or
pinkish-red bumps. Thatıs if
they are not infected. Then
there are those that look like
purplish-red bumps which can
actually become cystic.
The pressure from the hair
growing inside the bump along
with infection (pus and blood
accumulation) can cause much
discomfort until the hair is
released. Iıve seen a hair as
long as 2² released from this
type of ingrown.
Cause #1: Lack of
exfoliation and removing the
hair in the opposite direction
of the natural pattern of
growth. When hair is removed
in the opposite direction of
growth, often, the hair is
broken off at the skinıs
surface allowing dead skin
cells to easily form over the
mouth of the follicle trapping
the broken hair beneath. As
the hair continues to grow, a
red bump quickly develops and
can often leaves the skin
feeling itchy and
uncomfortable. The one
characteristic all ingrown
hairs have is dead skin cells
blocking the mouth of the
follicle.
Cause #2: Lack of
hydrating and moisturizing the
newly exfoliated epidermis. I
have seen so many women make
the mistake of applying lotion
to their skin only when it has
a dry sallow look to it. The
idea is to apply a good
hydrating lotion when the skin
looks great so that it keeps
on looking its best.
Cause #3: Some people
are highly prone to ingrown
hairs. Their skin tends to
keratinize at a much faster
rate than the average person.
Solution: Removal of
the hair in the natural growth
only. Regular exfoliation,
softening the skin and
hydrating on a daily basis. A
regular electrolysis regime
will help to achieve maximum
results.
Treatment Program:
The following are four
recommendations that will help
eliminate and prevent ingrown
hair problems.
-
Drink
plenty of water daily.
We are all too familiar
with this fact. Drink as
much water as you can
each day for maximum
hydration.
-
Use
a hydrating lotion
everyday. Lotions
containing animal or
petroleum by-products
should be avoided. They
can clog pores and cause
many other reflecting
complications to the
skin.
-
Exfoliate
dead skin cells. Using
Dead Sea salt mixed with
cured sesame seed oil to
massage onto the skin is
an uncomplicated
exfoliating option for
all skin types. The
results are excellent,
lasting at least two
weeks and leave an
immediately visible
impression.
-
Epilate
the hair in the natural
direction of the
follicle. When hair is
removed against its
natural direction, you
will have hair breakage
and you will promote
ingrown hairs.
-
If
you are prone to getting
serious ingrown hairs
you may need to use a
glycolic-based lotion to
promote addition
exfoliation.
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