Fashion Blogs

The problem of ingrown hair is compounded by frequent shaving. A hair removal method like waxing or hair remover cream works better.

It looks like a reddish or dark bump on the skin. On closer inspection, you notice that the bump has hair coiled inside it. You’re looking at an ingrown hair, and you cannot reach the hair unless you break the skin over it. However, doing so causes an infection and pus may form at the site.

What causes ingrown hair?

Ingrown hair is body hair that curls up into itself instead of growing outwards from the skin. Though the hair grows at a normal pace, it remains under the skin’s surface and does not rise out.

It is often caused by dead skin that clogs up the pores and hair follicles. It is most commonly seen on the legs, underarms and pubic area in women, and on the chin and jawline in men. Shaving is one of the most common causes of hair in growth.

How to cure it

* The first thing to do is to let the ingrown hair grow out. It will do so at some point. Do not attempt to remove it forcibly, or you will cause an infection at the site. In the most severe infections, the ingrowth develops pus and becomes painful to the touch.

* The next thing to do is to ditch shaving as a method of hair removal. Apart from causing in growth, shaving also causes roughness, dryness and jagged hair stubble that is prickly to the touch.

* You can try other hair remover methods that exfoliate and moisturise the skin. These include waxing and depilation with a hair remover cream.

• Why waxing? Waxing not only pulls out the hair from the roots, it also removes dead skin. The hair that regrows is free of dead skin deposits, and it takes time to grow back since the hair shaft must rebuild the follicle. The regrowth is sparser and finer than before, so subsequent waxing is much easier as well. Plus, the skin glows and feels softer to the touch when you take care to use wax strips that have moisturizing ingredients.
• Why hair removal creams? You can remove hair from your limbs, underarms and bikini line quite easily using a depilatory cream. The cream works just under the surface of the skin and reduces the hair to a jelly-like consistency. After a few minutes, you can simply wipe away the cream with a damp cloth and the hair comes away easily. It is the most painless way of hair removal. However, do pick a cream that suits your skin type, and which is packed with skin-nourishing ingredients.

You can prevent hair in growth recurrence with exfoliation. Use a body scrub cream or skin scrubber brush twice a week to remove dead skin, dried sweat and oil, dirt and dust particles, etc. to keep the skin clean. Exfoliated skin can repair itself faster and shows quicker cell rejuvenation. Take care to moisturize the skin after exfoliation.