Ingrown hairs are a very unpleasant occurrence for everyone.
An ingrown hair occurs when a shaved or tweezed hair grows back into the skin. It can cause inflammation, pain and tiny bumps in the area where the hair was removed.
Ingrown hairs are more common in people with coarse or curly hair. They also occur more often when the hairs are very short, for example after shaving, waxing or tweezing.
They often do not cause complications and it’s better to let them heal on their own.
However, there are few simple ways to get rid of ingrown hairs at home
How to get rid of ingrown hairs
Whilst is often better to leave them to heal on their own if you see an ingrown hair coming out of the skin you can pull the hair out and allow the follicle to heal.
Here are 6 steps to remove ingrown hairs safely:
- Wash the area with mild soap and warm water. If the area is not irritated, gently exfoliate it.
- Apply a warm, wet washcloth over the ingrown hair. This can help open the follicle and allow it to drain.
- Hold the washcloth in place for 1 minute, then remove it.
- Using a sterilized needle or tweezers, gently tease out the rest of the hair.
- When the entire hair is above the surface of the skin, use the tweezers to grab its base. Pull firmly upward to remove the hair.
- Wash the area again with warm, soapy water, and apply a warm washcloth if needed to help soothe any irritation.
Do not try to pick out an ingrown hair that is under the skin. This can lead to infection. It may also push the hair deeper into the skin, increasing the time it takes to heal.
Prevention
How to prevent ingrown hairs
Cleanse & Moisturise Skin
Keep skin clean by using a moisturizing body wash and then apply lotion immediately following a bath or shower to lock in moisture.
Exfoliate
Exfoliating skin is one of the most underrated and overlooked ways you can care for your skin. Exfoliating skin several times a week doesn’t just keep your skin smooth and radiant, it also helps expedite the skin cell shedding process.
Create a Protective Barrier
Don’t forget to wet skin and apply a protective barrier before shaving to prevent ingrown hairs on legs, and razor burn for that matter. Whether it’s our best-selling rose shave cream, coconut shaving cream, a body oil, or a lotion, applying a protective barrier to the skin will help your razor glide across your legs, get a closer cut, and prevent irritation. Just trust us on this one.
Use a Sharp Razor
Use a brand new razor when shaving to prevent ingrown hairs on legs. A dull razor can (and most likely will) cut or irritate your skin, not to mention a dull razor creates more friction on the skin – ouch!
Consider permanent hair removal treatment such as Laser Hair Removal.
Here at The Dorchester Clinic, we specialise in Laser Hair Removal Treatments and our patients are extremely happy with their results.
No more ingrown hairs, shaving, waxing and unpleasant excess hair!
To read more about the laser hair removal treatment click here or if you’d like to book a consultation and discuss your options click here.
