INGROWN hairs are not pretty and they aren’t pleasant to have but they are extremely common, though some people are more prone to them than others.
As the hair grows back, it may come in at more of an angle than normal, causing it to miss the opening of the follicle, or when dead skin cells are blocking it from getting through then it will curl back around and start to grow back into the skin.
This leads to infection, which causes those raised red spots, pustules or whiteheads that commonly occur when hairs become ingrown.
As the hair grows under the skin, it blocks the pore and allows bacteria to grow, essentially creating a pimple. Some of the causes can be dry skin, coarse, curly hair, incorrect waxing techniques and distorted follicles.
To help prevent this, allow the hair to grow longer before removal, exfoliate the skin often, directly after removing the hair and in between hair removals, keep your skin well moisturised, using a moisturiser that will not block your pores and contains AHAs.
Keep your skin as clean as possible, make sure to wash the areas where you are prone to ingrown hairs after sweating or exercising.
If the problem of ingrown hairs persists after trying all of the above then I would suggest a different method of hair removal, if the hair is dark enough, Laser would eliminate any ingrown hairs but if not then I would suggest a different technique of removal.
Mary Ferry is the proprietor of the Genesis Skin Care & Laser Clinic in Upper Dore, Bunbeg, Tel 07495 32575, www.genesissalon.ie. If you have a query you would like answered in Mary’s column confidentially, e-mail healthandbeauty@donegalnews.com
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