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Ingrown hair is simply what the name implies - it's hair that curls over and grows back into the follicle or hair that starts to grow out but stays imbedded in the skin. Ingrown hairs are usually not dangerous, but left untreated by laser hair removal or plucking, they can cause serious irritation and infection.
Typical causes include a stiff beard, dry skin, and bad shaving practices or hair removal techniques, all which allow dead skin cells to accumulate around afflicted areas and trap growing hairs under new layers of skin. Often mistaken for razor bumps, these ingrown hairs may feel like a pimple or cyst. Common areas are the face and legs.
Prevention
Regular skin exfoliation after shaving or waxing will remove the layer of dead skin that's left by these hair removal practices because exfoliation takes away the breeding grounds of ingrown hair. The way you shave can also be proactive. The longer the hair, the less likely it will grow over on itself. You might want to try shaving less closely or using a single blade or electric razor rather than a double blade model. Keep the shaving areas moist. Moisturizing a beard or other areas where growth is thick and abundant keeps the hairs wet, giving them less chance to grow back over on each other.
Getting Rid of Ingrown Hair
The first step in removing an ingrown hair is the application of a warm compress to the area. You might need to wait as much as ten minutes before the skin has been softened enough that the hair appears close to the surface. Then, use a sterilized pair of tweezers to gently pull the hair out. Make sure to wash the affected area afterwards and use antiseptic as a final measure to guard against infection. Deeper ingrown hairs may require the assistance of a dermatologist.
Did you know that laser hair removal can also get rid of ingrown hair? Even if it's covered by skin, the follicle of the ingrown hair can be targeted and destroyed. At Toronto Cosmetic Clinic, laser hair removal is performed by the Starlux 500, Lyra or Sciton.
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