Laser hair removal works by emitting a beam of light that heats pigments within your hair without harming surrounding tissues and reduces the likelihood of folliculitis returning with repeated treatments.
Avoid scrubbing the affected area or engaging in activities that lead to sweating; if symptoms persist, consult your physician immediately.
1. Apply Over-the-Counter Topical Creams
We know you have done everything possible to prevent those angry red bumps from appearing – shaving less frequently, using depilatory creams and avoiding tight clothing; yet these painful folliculitis flare-ups keep reappearing!
Folliculitis occurs when your hair follicles become inflamed due to an infection. It usually begins as small red bumps that resemble white-head pimples; but if left untreated they can quickly progress into large, painful sores with pus-filled centers that remain crusted over and won’t heal.
OTC anti-inflammatory medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen can provide quick relief from itching, pain and inflammation caused by folliculitis; however if it’s caused by fungus (which is uncommon) you will require anti-fungal treatment with oral fluconazole or topical ketoconazole to manage symptoms effectively.
OTC moisturizers with ingredients such as glycolic acid and salicylic acid may provide temporary relief, helping soothe irritation and itching associated with folliculitis. These gentle ingredients are widely available and should be safe enough for sensitive areas that have been affected.
Use of glycolic or salicylic acid toners may also help to minimize ingrown hairs by exfoliating your skin, with your dermatologist being the best person to advise which one would work best.
Are you tired of shaving, waxing and using depilatory creams to rid yourself of unwanted hair and want something more permanent? Laser hair removal could be just what’s needed! At PureMD MedSpa, our laser technologies cater specifically to darker skin tones to deliver permanent results without damaging your skin. Unlike other laser options, our treatments actually shut down hair follicles so they cannot produce unwanted hair again! Plus, as they target the source of your folliculitis outbreaks directly. Reach out now and schedule your consultation!
2. Avoid Shaving or Waxing
If red bumps and itchy skin follow waxing, there are steps you can take to avoid this unpleasant and unsightly condition. Regular exfoliating and shaving, in addition to limiting direct contact with the area after waxing or shaving will help avoid this discomfort and unsightliness. Constant friction on your skin could clog pores leading to folliculitis – something exfoliation won’t do!
If you experience folliculitis after waxing, wait until the inflammation has subsided before trying to shave or wax again. Doing so could worsen symptoms and increase infection and irritation. If this cannot be achieved within 48 hours, alternative hair removal methods such as laser treatment might be better options.
At another step to prevent folliculitis is discontinuing depilatory products. Chemical-based depilatories can irritate skin and block hair follicles, leading to inflammation and infection of your hair follicles. If depilatory products must be used at all, limit usage to only the surface layer of your skin or try using them sparingly on individual areas only.
Make sure to avoid hot showers, baths, saunas, and steam rooms directly following a waxing session; heat and sweat may irritate the skin and trigger an acne outbreak, further worsening folliculitis symptoms.
Waxing and shaving often result in mild cases of folliculitis that will resolve in just a few days, but if symptoms don’t vanish quickly enough for your liking, cooling cream or antihistamine ointment should help soothe them. In more serious instances such as boils or carbuncles, medical intervention will likely be required in order to avoid long-term deep scarring as well as reduce serious infections.
3. Apply Cold Compresses
After your laser hair removal treatment, it’s essential that you follow all the aftercare instructions provided by your laser hair removal specialist. This will prevent further irritation of the area while keeping skin healthy – for instance avoiding tight clothing as this can clog pores with sweat and lead to breakouts; choose loose, comfortable clothing instead. In addition, it is also advisable to exfoliate regularly to help avoid ingrown hairs, while moisturizing daily will also aid your results.
If you are susceptible to folliculitis, make sure to wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your face with dirty hands, as this may spread bacteria that causes infection. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotic creams or ointments; for shorter-term relief use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen over-the-counter NSAIDs available from drugstores as they don’t need a valid prescription from their healthcare provider.
Avoid shaving or waxing until your infection clears up, using an electric razor with a new blade each time. In order to clean and reduce itching on affected areas, try using either hot water or vinegar rinses instead.
Cold compresses may help relieve itching and swelling, while applying antibiotic ointment may provide pain relief in severe cases. When selecting treatments to use, always avoid hydrogen peroxide as this can kill beneficial bacteria found in your skin, leading to infections.
If you are experiencing severe folliculitis symptoms, it is recommended to visit your physician as soon as possible in order to ensure the infection is diagnosed and treated effectively. Your physician may advise taking antibiotics and provide specific instructions in order to treat your infection; you may even be referred to a dermatologist in case more serious infections or complications arise.
4. Apply Over-the-Counter Antibiotics
After laser hair removal sessions, some individuals develop folliculitis – an infection in which clogged pores become inflamed due to dead skin cells and bacteria build-up resulting in pus-filled cysts as the body attempts to clear away debris from them.
Folliculitis may not be life-threatening, but it can be painful and embarrassing. Left unchecked, it could lead to more serious infections if left untreated – so it’s crucial that you visit a professional laser hair removal provider with extensive experience that adheres to strict hygiene practices and provides safe procedures.
A skilled laser hair removal specialist will customize each session of treatment for each client to ensure all hair follicles are effectively destroyed and do not regrow back, decreasing the risk of folliculitis outbreaks.
If your symptoms of folliculitis spread over large areas or don’t subside within days, see your physician as soon as possible. They can prescribe appropriate antibiotic or antifungal medication that will help control and clear up your infection.
Your doctor will diagnose folliculitis by inspecting the affected area and reviewing your medical history. They may use a swab to collect a sample from infected skin and hair for lab analysis; this will allow them to identify what’s causing folliculitis as well as determine its best course of treatment; they may even suggest performing a skin biopsy to rule out other conditions.
5. Visit Your Doctor
Folliculitis can be painful, itchy and embarrassing; left untreated it could even linger for an extended period. Caused by an infection of hair follicles, this condition usually appears as small red or white-head pimples that usually resolve without treatment on their own. Mild cases usually resolve themselves without medical intervention but fever, chills, an increase in bump size or spread indicate you may require medical care immediately.
Your doctor can likely diagnose the rash based on its appearance and your medical history; however, laboratory testing may also be required in order to accurately pinpoint its source. You may require antibiotic treatment as part of treatment plan to clear it away.
Folliculitis can be avoided by forgoing shaving, waxing and chemical treatments as well as practicing proper skin care techniques. A warm compress applied directly on the affected area may reduce itching and drain pus while over-the-counter anti-itch creams may provide comfort. Furthermore, washing twice a day with mild soap to maintain cleanliness will also help protect against infections.
While folliculitis may resolve itself naturally, there are also treatments available to both treat and prevent further infections. Over-the-counter anti-itch creams or washing your body with cool water may provide temporary relief, but if symptoms persist or recur frequently laser hair removal could be a solution – the procedure works by dismantling hair follicles so bacteria, fungi or viruses cannot invade and cause an outbreak. For best results however prevention through self-care techniques and techniques that minimize flare ups is key!
