How to get rid of ingrown hairs – causes of occurrence

Unwanted body hair causes many women and men to resort to depilation. However, very often the hair removal procedure causes an unpleasant complication in the form of ingrown hair. How to forget about the problem forever? Experts of Expertology portal offer several effective ways to treat and prevent pseudofolliculitis.

What are ingrown hairs?

So, ingrown hairs are primarily an aesthetic flaw that, as the problem worsens, can cause a lot of discomfort and discomfort for the person. An ingrown hair is an insignificant subcutaneous growth that is colored brown or red. Appears as a small bump that contains serous or purulent fluid. If you look closely, you can see a growing hair under the skin.

After mechanical removal, the hair shaft begins to grow inside the skin, rather than outside, which causes inflammation of the epidermis, and there is irritation.

Why do ingrown hairs?

The scientific name for ingrown hairs is pseudofolliculitis.The main causes of this pathology are:

1. Changing the structure of the hair – constant depilation makes the hair shafts thinner and the skin coarser. For this reason, fine hairs cannot grow out, so they become twisted and sprout inward.

2. Improper epilation: when hair removal is done with a razor blade that is blunt or not properly groomed.

3. Stiff or excessively thinning hair shafts.

4. Hair follicles are tilted with respect to the skin at an acute angle.

5. Dry skin type or curly hair.

6. Genetic predisposition to ingrown hairs.

7. Hormone imbalances, in particular spikes in estrogen levels that are fixed during the first days of menstruation.

8. The hair canal was damaged during the hair shaving procedure, then led to tissue scarring.

9. A hair below the epidermis has been broken, which was caused by a violation of the rules of depilation procedure.

10. Shaving the hairs was carried out against the growth.

11. Bacterial infection caused by moisture retention caused by wearing uncomfortable underwear made of synthetic fabrics.

Types of ingrown hairs

No official medical qualification for ingrown hairs has been provided until now. Therefore, when dividing them into categories, beauticians are guided by their practical experience and opinions of colleagues:

1. Flat pantyhose hair type. The main feature of this type – hair growth occurs under the skin. Visually, it is very difficult to determine where the rod is located – only a beautician discovers ingrowth, if he conducts the depilation procedure. Flatly ingrown hair does not cause inflammation, so no discomfort the person does not experience.Very often there are flat hairs when depilation of the thighs, lower legs, as well as in the bikini zone.

2. Curled hair type. It, in turn, is divided into two subtypes: a hair that appears as a black dot of insignificant size, which, when pressed, releases the hair tip; a bump with purulent content, which has clear signs of inflammation or infection. Depending on the type of ingrown hair, the master selects a remedy that helps eliminate the problem.

3. The ingrown hair in the epidermis.The hair shaft, which broke through the stratum corneum on the legs, because of the impact of mechanical factors turns back, in other words, the growth of the hair shaft in the opposite direction occurs. After reaching the surface layer of the skin, its ingrowth occurs.

4. Growing in the dermal layer.Doctors believe that this type of hair poses the greatest danger to its owner. The fact that it cannot penetrate the thick cells of the stratum corneum, traumatizing skin cells, which leads to inflammation. Very often with hair growing in the dermis joins bacterial infection, as the hair shaft, blocking the sebaceous duct, does not allow the sebum to go out.

Is it possible to remove an ingrown hair at home?

Twisted hair, embedding itself in the epidermis, greatly irritates the dermis. A papule is formed in the problem area, which in appearance resembles an inflamed pimple.

We want to warn you against a mistake – you should not pierce inflamed papules with a needle or tweezers. Opening the inflammation at home is fraught with infection, as well as the appearance of post-inflammatory areas of hyperpigmentation. Very often in the place of the puncture a rough scar is formed.

Therefore, if the ingrown hairs give you discomfort, you need to seek help from a cosmetologist. He will choose the most effective method of treatment, which is ideal for the patient.

Salon treatments: how to get rid of ingrown hairs?

If after depilation there are complications in the form of ingrown hairs, it is necessary to contact a specialist before an inflammatory process occurs. Cosmetology offers a wide range of effective remedies aimed at combating this flaw:

1. Chemical peeling and scrubbing.Waiting for the removal of particles of the horny layer, the beautician uses professional care products that will gently and gently get rid of the defect.

2. Mechanical removal.This treatment is indicated in patients with pustular papules at ingrown hairs. A specialist will open the inflammatory focus, avoiding complications and side effects.

3. Surgical opening of the node. The doctor opens the pustule under absolute sterility, after which he sanitizes the wound and removes the hair. A dressing is applied to the wound.

4. Photoepilation.One of the most effective procedures you can have in a beauty salon. The light pulse destroys the hair follicle and hair shaft, thus avoiding complications. The main disadvantage of the procedure is that it is not suitable for blond or gray hair.

5. Electroepilation– A salon procedure which can be carried out only by a professional cosmetologist. To the place of ingrown hair shaft with the help of an electrode wire, an electric current is delivered. As a consequence, the hair is destroyed and the aesthetic flaw is eliminated.

6. Laser hair removal.This method is recognized as one of the most effective and often used by cosmetologists in the removal of ingrown hair. Correction can take place with any skin type. The laser treatment is absolutely painless and does not cause discomfort.

Hardware methods can be used only if there are no signs of skin inflammation.

Hair ingrowth prevention

It is difficult to treat ingrown hairs, so it is better to prevent the risks of this defect. To do this, you should follow the simple recommendations that cosmetologists give to their patients:

Review of the best lotions against ingrown hairs

Suitable even for the most delicate intimate areas.

Aravia Professional 2-in-1 Lotion

Rating: 4.9

The product, which has been on the Russian market for many years. The manufacturers point out that it promotes renewal of the stratum corneum, thus ensuring that problematic hair comes to the surface of the skin. Applicable for sensitive epidermis, the lotion restores skin elasticity and beauty. Aravia Professional’s active ingredients slow hair growth by acting on the hair follicles.

Anti-grown hair lotion with lemon extract

Rating: 4.8

It is an excellent preventive treatment which prevents the risk of ingrown hairs. The lotion removes skin roughness, redness and irritation after depilation. Can be used on any part of the body, including the bikini area.

Kora hair growth retardant lotion

Rating: 4.8

A mildly antiseptic and skin-soothing product, which can be used after any kind of depilation. The main effect of the product is to stop hair growth. The drug penetrates deep into the pores, after which there is a weakening of the follicles, which not only slows hair growth, but also leads to hair loss. During the application of the lotion on the body is a cooling effect, which reduces the discomfort of itching and burning after depilation.

Review of creams against ingrown hairs

After depilation, the treated areas of the body should be deeply moisturized, for which it is recommended to use non-greasy creams.

Aravia ingrown hair removal cream with nano acids

Rating: 4.9

The care product of this company is recommended to use in the period between depilation sessions – it provides deep moisturizing of the epidermis, which is the best prevention of ingrown hairs. No more irritation after application. Fruit acids, which are included in the composition, have a mild exfoliating effect on the stratum corneum of cells, reduces the appearance of hyperkeratosis. As a consequence, fine hair growth begins, which eliminates the problem of ingrown hairs.

Aravia Professional Anti-Grow Fluid

Rating: 4.8

Russian development for intensive care of problematic epidermis. If you want to avoid hair ingrowth, this product is the best prevention. The fluid reliably restores and effectively protects the epidermis from the influence of negative factors. The active ingredients contained in the product have an inhibitory effect on the follicles, which slows hair growth and results in further hair loss. Daily use of the cream can enhance skin regeneration, hide the signs of aging of the epidermis, and restore the lipid barrier. The active substances of the product reduce the expression of pigment spots.

In your daily care, use care products from the professional lines, which are aimed at preparing the skin for depilation. Such cosmetic products cleanse, disinfect and disinfect the epidermis.

Aravia Professional Enzyme Peel-Powder

Rating: 4.7

The enzyme powder prepares the epidermis for depilation by treating the stratum corneum with papaya enzymes. They have gentle cleansing and softening effect, reducing the appearance of hyperkeratosis. The components have a proteolytic property, which ensures a reliable fight against ingrown hairs. Enzymes prevent the growth of hair shafts, and also improves the results of depilation.

Aravia professional Papain Gel-Scrub

Rating: 4.6

Perfectly prepares the epidermis for the mechanical removal of hair. Not only does it make them easier to remove, but it prevents new ingrown hairs. After the application of the scrub the surface of the skin is smoothed, and the tone of the skin is lightened. Can be used as a daily cleanser.

If hair removal took place in the intimate area, you should not use creams for skin care. This is due to the fact that the epidermis in this area is never dry, so no extra care is needed.

In a situation where there are ingrown body hairs on the type of small pimples, but without inflammatory symptoms, you should not extrude them. A mechanical opening is fraught with the development of a strong inflammatory process.

Eliminate ingrown hairs that appeared after mechanical pulling out, you can easily and easily. Is enough to resort to one of the above methods, which will pick up dermatocosmetologist, assessing the condition of the skin.

If there is a predisposition to ingrown hairs, the doctor may recommend refraining from the use of any mechanical means of removal: shugaring, vaxing, shaving. It is better to use hardware methods to combat unwanted vegetation on the body, which will provide long-lasting results.