Dealing with ingrown hairs can be a real nuisance. They’re the result of shaving, waxing and plucking; especially on darker skin.
Ingrown hairs appear as small red bumps that are both irritating and painful, often leading to further health issues such as pilonidal cysts – pockets filled with dead skin cells containing hair follicles that must be surgically drained off or extracted in order for treatment to work effectively.
What is an Ingrown Hair?
Dermatologist Devika Icecreamwala states that when hair grows out of follicles and into skin layers, it should emerge straight up through them, not down into them, according to its normal trajectory. When an ingrown hair becomes trapped beneath the surface of skin and coils back towards its original source follicle, it becomes an ingrown hair.
Ingrown hairs can appear anywhere that hair grows, but they often crop up where people shave or wax regularly – such as beard areas for men, legs and bikini regions for women, etc. Ingrowns can be especially bothersome when they appear in areas such as face, armpits or pubic regions where shaving or waxing occurs regularly.
Gary Goldenberg of New York City-based dermatology advises against trying to extract an ingrown hair yourself, which could aggravate it and make it worse. Instead, try gently massaging or applying a hot compress compress on it instead for best results.
Use sterile needle, pin or tweezers to safely extract ingrown hairs from your skin. Before proceeding with this technique, make sure that the surrounding area has been disinfected with rubbing alcohol to reduce infection risks. Thread the tool through each loop of hair until you lift it away from your skin with gentle force.
Exfoliation can also help an ingrown hair break loose and heal faster, but it’s essential not to shave the area until either it resolves itself on its own or your medical provider removes it, as shaving may irritate and worsen an existing ingrown hair issue. Also avoid plucking, tweezing or waxing until all ingrown hairs have disappeared completely from your body.
How Do Laser Hair Removal Treatments Work?
Laser energy passes through the skin and into hair follicles, where its heat destroys them and prevents new hairs from growing from them. This procedure can save time and hassle by permanently disabling hair-producing follicles; eliminating shaving, waxing and plucking altogether.
After receiving laser hair removal treatment, some may experience irritation or side effects which usually dissipate within several days; however, scarring, changes to skin color, or infection could occur – however partnering with an experienced medical specialist who understands skin health can significantly lower this risk.
Patients with dark skin and light hair tend to make less ideal candidates for laser hair removal as the contrast between their pigmented skin and nonpigmented hair can cause the laser to misread and target other parts of the body instead of just the follicles. A specialist must use the appropriate type of laser and take all precautions possible in order to limit risks as much as possible.
Permanent results require multiple sessions of laser hair removal in order to achieve lasting results. The frequency of sessions depends on both the area being treated and its cycle, such as how quickly hair in its anagen (growth) stage regrows compared to hair in catagen or telogen stages (loss/resting).
Laser hair removal treatments are commonly performed on legs, arms, bikini area, back chest and shoulders of men and women alike. Men often find the treatments quick, relatively pain free and convenient. Prior to your treatment session it’s wise to refrain from shaving or plucking to ensure maximum effectiveness of laser treatments.
What Causes Ingrown Hairs?
Ingrown hairs are little red bumps that form in areas where you’ve recently removed hair. They’re typically irritated and can be painful. They’re also unattractive. They look like pimples and often become infected, leaving you with red spots filled with pus. They can even lead to more serious skin problems, including pilonidal cysts (pockets of dead hair and skin cells that are located at the base of the tailbone).
Ingrown Hairs are caused when a newly shaved, waxed or tweezed hair curls back in on itself instead of pushing through the surface of the skin. This happens more frequently with curly or coarse hair. They can also occur on the legs, face, armpits and bikini area. They’re more common in men than women because they tend to have more facial hair.
While anyone can get ingrown hairs, they’re most common for people who shave or tweeze their body and facial hair. Ingrown hairs are especially a problem for those who have coarse or curly hair because the sharp points on the ends of their hair can easily poke into the skin and cause an irritation.
Ingrown hairs can also form when hair grows back into the wrong opening in the skin. They can be caused by a blocked hair follicle, shaving incorrectly, using over-the-counter hair removal creams or waxing. Ingrown hairs can also be caused by genetics, being on birth control or having a condition called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Ingrown Hairs are most common in the legs, arms and face but can occur anywhere in the body. They are more of a problem for people who have darker skin. The best way to prevent ingrown hairs is to use a laser treatment to destroy the hair follicle so it can’t grow hair in the future.
How Can I Prevent Ingrown Hairs?
To prevent ingrown hairs, it’s recommended to use a high quality razor and avoid shaving dry skin which can lead to razor burn. When shaving must occur, an exfoliating strip that helps clear away dead cells can soften hairs more effectively – also moisturizing after each shave can help protect from sun damage and keep ingrowns away.
Visiting your dermatologist could be invaluable if you’re still suffering from ingrown hairs. They may recommend topical cream that can help relieve symptoms; however, this won’t prevent future outbreaks altogether. Laser hair removal offers more permanent solutions as it both eliminates existing ingrowns as well as stops them regrowing over time.
Ingrown hairs are caused by clogged pores or blocked hair follicles that have become blocked due to shaving, waxing, tweezing or using depilatory creams. When this happens, hair doesn’t grow correctly and eventually sprouts back out again in an unattractive curved way from under the skin causing ingrown hairs.
Though ingrown hairs may appear anywhere on the body, they’re most commonly found in armpits, legs and the bikini line. To avoid ingrown hairs and reduce chances of them returning it’s best to use a quality razor and shave with the grain rather than against it – at least 24 hours prior to any laser hair removal treatments as this allows laser technology to better detect dark pigmented hair and treat it efficiently.
Contact Spring Street Dermatology in SOHO, Tribeca or Uptown NYC today for an informative consultation regarding permanent hair reduction with laser technology. We provide Cynosure Elite nd:YAG laser treatments suitable for all skin types and hair colors with annual follow up treatments required as necessary.
How Can I Get Rid of Ingrown Hairs?
One of the best ways to eliminate ingrown hairs is using laser hair removal, as it works directly at their source – killing off hair follicles and stopping further growth. Furthermore, this procedure is quick, safe and painless.
If you discover an ingrown hair, it’s essential that you refrain from touching or squeezing it; doing so could worsen its condition or lead to infection, which could leave scarring behind. Furthermore, avoid shaving, tweezing, or waxing this area until all signs have healed completely.
Instead, try exfoliating to gently free the ingrown hair by gently loosening and clearing away dead skin cells that clog it up. Apply a warm compress for added relief against swelling and itching. Remember only use soft cloth exfoliation and for short intervals – excessive exfoliation could damage nearby skin, leading to inflammation or discoloration.
Always wear sunscreen to protect against ingrown hairs and other undesirable skin issues, and to reduce pigmentation issues. A sunscreen designed specifically for your skin tone may even help alleviate some pigmentation concerns.
Ingrown hairs are an unfortunate side-effect of shaving, and can develop on any part of the body including facial areas. Though painful, left untreated they can lead to serious infections like pilonidal cysts. To minimize them and protect yourself, be sure to follow proper shaving habits while exfoliating regularly and avoid picking or squeezing at them; see your dermatologist immediately for treatment if this does happen to you.
