Shaving, waxing and plucking can result in ingrown hairs – small red bumps that penetrate the surface of the skin to cause irritation, itching and discomfort.
Laser hair removal helps eliminate ingrown hairs by targeting their source, and stops an inflammatory response which could otherwise lead to scarring and dark pigmentation over time.
Ingrown hairs are a normal part of the hair growth cycle
Hair grows from follicles beneath the skin, and shaving, waxing and tweezing remove individual hair strands without damaging their root cause. As new hair is produced in its place, it may get caught between old hair follicles and curl back into the skin creating ingrown hairs that are uncomfortable but usually noncontagious; sometimes infected ingrowns form pus-filled bumps known as papules; this condition tends to affect women with curly or thick locks more frequently than men.
Laser hair removal uses selective photothermolysis, or “laser heat damage”, to effectively and painlessly eliminate unwanted hair growth. Laser heat damages hair follicles so they cannot produce further hair, rendering this procedure an ideal option for people with sensitive skin and quick and simple.
This treatment utilizes wavelengths of light that attract pigment from your hair, and a laser that targets this pigment is focused onto it to target dark hair follicles and destroy them through heat, killing any germs that might exist there as well as creating hair loss over time. Most patients require multiple sessions before reaching their desired result.
Laser hair removal typically causes itching, redness, and swelling around the treated area; these side effects should subside within days; if they continue, speak to your practitioner or see a physician immediately.
Before beginning laser hair removal, it is advised to seek professional medical advice. A comprehensive history should be reviewed to rule out infections, drug ingestion or hormonal imbalances that could contribute to hirsutism; additionally, all previous treatments including dates and frequencies should also be compiled in this history review.
Laser treatments may cause minor burning or scalding during treatment; however, this should only last briefly and is rarely uncomfortable. A topical anesthetic may be applied afterward to reduce discomfort; however, most patients aren’t required to use one. After your procedure, be sure to avoid sunlight as much as possible and apply moisturizer post-procedure in order to keep skin hydrated and retain its youthful look.
Most patients require two to six laser treatments for optimal results, after which most do not experience any new hair growth in the area for months or even years – when new growth does appear it tends to be finer and lighter colored than before.
They can be treated with topical creams
Ingrown hairs can be painful, unsightly and cause skin discoloration. While they can affect any area where hair grows, ingrowns are most prevalent on legs, arms and faces. An ingrown occurs when a hair that has been shaved or waxed curls back down into the surface layer of skin to form an irritating bump; razors, shaving creams or depilatories may all play a part in this. While shaving and waxing remove hair quickly but fail to treat its source effectively; thus laser hair removal provides an effective remedy for ingrowns.
Laser hair removal involves applying a light-sensitive lotion to the skin and then exposing it to a beam of laser light that targets unwanted hair growth. The laser light passes through and destroys hair follicles, thus preventing further hair growth; its light also shrinks their size, making any residual hair lighter and less noticeable over time. In order for people to achieve permanent results from laser treatments, typically several laser sessions must be undergone before permanent results can be seen.
Before and after laser hair removal, it is crucial to apply moisturizer to prevent skin drying out, which could result in crusting. Furthermore, avoid direct sunlight by wearing broad spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen; additionally laser heat can sometimes make skin feel prickly for several hours or days after treatment, leading some people to hold an ice pack against treated areas for comfort.
Exfoliation, topical retinoids, cortisone creams and chemical peels may help minimize ingrown hairs; however they aren’t 100% effective. Laser hair removal remains the best way to completely eradicate ingrown hairs without them returning in future.
Technicians apply a light-sensitive lotion to the skin before pressing a handheld device against it and activating a laser to treat various areas. The process typically lasts anywhere from several minutes to over an hour depending on which areas need treating, while post-procedure swelling might occur in some patients; this is perfectly normal; you can reduce its severity with an ice pack or cold compress.
They can be treated with laser hair removal
Laser hair removal can be an effective and relatively painless way of eliminating unwanted body hair, including ingrowns. Results typically range between 70-90% reduction and no loss at all in six treatments or less, plus reduced scarring and stretch marks. When selecting an experienced practitioner it’s essential that qualifications and insurance cover are verified prior to making a selection – be wary of “laser hair removal experts” advertising themselves without having been trained by medical doctors or dermatologists.
Laser hair removal differs from shaving, waxing and tweezing in that it targets the source of hair growth at its source – not just its surface. A burst of laser light pierces through your skin’s surface to penetrate beneath where hair follicles exist before using its energy to destroy them so that no new growth occurs. If ingrown hairs have been plaguing you, laser hair removal could be just what you’ve been searching for!
Exfoliation can help to prevent ingrown hairs by clearing away dead skin cells that clog hair follicles and cause them to grow back clumsily, but this method may not always be 100% effective or cause irritation and dryness. Luckily, there are safe and effective skincare products designed specifically to treat ingrown hairs like tea tree oil, retinoids, glycolic acid or salicylic acid which have proven their efficacy at treating inflammation while killing bacteria on contact.
Laser hair removal sessions typically feel like stings or sunburn, depending on the size and area being treated. There may also be the scent of smoke and burning hair due to laser heat being applied during treatment; afterward, your skin may appear red or swollen for some time until returning back to its usual state.
Hair follicles grow at different rates, so in order to experience permanent results it may take multiple laser sessions before seeing permanent changes. The number of sessions required depends on both your area of treatment and skin tone; you may require sessions every four or eight weeks in some instances.
They can be treated with tweezing
Ingrown hairs can be painful and unsightly. Although they may improve over time, complications including bacterial infections and permanent scarring may arise – so the best way to avoid ingrowns is through safer hair removal methods like electric razors that leave the tip of hair above skin’s surface, rather than shaving; this will stop curling of curling up into inward growth patterns. Furthermore, professional ingrown hair specialists often employ laser technology as an efficient means of eliminating them safely without harming surrounding tissue.
Ingrown hairs typically develop due to blocked or irregularly growing follicles or incorrectly growing hair, and can appear anywhere on the body – though they tend to occur more commonly in areas with thick, coarse hair. Left untreated, ingrown hairs may become infected and cause pustules; any ingrowns causing inflammation should be professionally removed in order to lower infection risks and facilitate healing.
Tweezing can help, but ideally it’s best to seek professional removal by a dermatologist or esthetician. Their training allows them to remove ingrown hairs safely and without further irritation; plus they can provide helpful tips for preventing future ingrown hairs!
Laser hair removal is the best solution for ingrown hairs, permanently disabling their source so that when they regrow they will be lighter and less noticeable than before. Results may last for years; however, maintenance sessions may be required periodically to keep up appearances.
Exfoliating is essential before and after laser therapy treatment to remove dead skin cells and unclog pores that could otherwise lead to ingrown hairs. Furthermore, staying out of direct sunlight as well as refraining from waxing, plucking or taking any medication which increases bleeding like aspirin are other helpful practices that should be implemented for maximum efficacy of laser treatment.
Laser treatments can be an excellent way to remove ingrown hairs, however they aren’t always successful and may lead to pain, redness, and swelling. For the best results it is wise to consult a professional experienced in laser hair removal for optimal results.
