Ingrown Hair—the Causes, the Symptoms, and How to Address It
Are you dealing with ingrown hairs? If so, it could result from shaving, waxing, and tweezing. Sure, the above activities were meant to remove your hair one way or the other, but they can all cause ingrown hairs. This happens when the follicles under the skin remain, and the hair enters the skin before it gets to leave the follicle.
Regardless of the cause, removing ingrown hair is a must for anyone looking to ensure their skin doesn't only feel good but looks good! Today, we'll talk more about ingrown hair—the causes, the symptoms, and how to address it:
The Causes of Ingrown Hair
If you have ingrown hair, the hair follicle isn't growing correctly. There are a few major things that can cause the follicle to become incorrect, like:
1. Shaving Too Often, Usually around Once a Week
Shaving creates micro-cuts in the skin, which are a great place for bacteria to hide. If you shave your face, there are three things to avoid: shaving against the grain, dry shaving (little to no lubrication), and shaving too close. What's too close? About two days after the hair has come out.
2. Waxing Too Often
It's okay to wax, but you need to let your skin recover and let the hair grow back a bit before you wax again. It's best to visit a professional (where they use higher quality products), and it's best to space it out. Hair can get thinner if you wax too often, but it can also cause the follicle to become damaged. If you wax at home, make sure you're buying the right products.
3. Tweezing Too Often
It's okay to tweeze your eyebrows but tweeze only the hair that's sticking out of the skin. Be careful of the angle you're tweezing at so you don't cause any damage to the follicle.
The Symptoms of Ingrown Hair
You can have ingrown hairs, even though you might not see them. There are some tell-tale signs to look out for, like:
A bump under the skin
Red bumps
A rash
Tight, inflamed skin
Itching
There are other symptoms you can have, so if you're experiencing something different, it's best to see your primary physician.
How to Avoid or Address Ingrown Hair
To avoid ingrown hair in the face, try using a moisturizer that's made for sensitive skin. The moisturizer should also be fragrance-free. If you want to use a body lotion on your face, try doing so right after you shower. You can also use a sugar scrub or anything that's not abrasive to exfoliate your skin. This can help you remove any dead skin cells, allowing you to remove the hair quicker and more effectively.
If you're shaving your face, make sure you're not going against the grain. Also, use a sharp blade and shaving cream or gel. When you're finished shaving, rinse your skin with warm water. This will help soften the hair and to open the pores.
Note that there are many other ways to avoid and address ingrown hair. Feel free to do extra research on the remedies people use. Keep in mind that some may work for you, while others might not.
Conclusion
Sometimes, you might have ingrown hair, and you might not. Of course, the best solution is to avoid it in the first place by using good shaving, waxing, and tweezing practices. However, if you are unsure if you have ingrown hairs, the best way to find out is to see a dermatologist who'll be able to examine your face. If you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above, it's best to see your doctor right away. This is especially true if the problem doesn't go away after a few days.
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