How to get rid of ingrown hairs

These bores not only create pimples but also leave spots and later scars. And no one likes that.

Before you get into how to get rid of scars from ingrown hairs, you should understand what causes skin problems in general. Dr. Rachel Mayman, MD, a certified dermatologist at Marmur Medical, explains that ingrown hairs occur when hair fails to grow its normal course through the follicular opening and then out and above the surface of the skin.

These annoying bumps can appear anywhere you shave but are more common in people with curly hair or in places where the hair is curly and where it is coarse, which can be the pubic area, bikini line, and armpits in some people.

"When hair grows into or inside the skin, the body reacts to it as if it were a foreign object," explains Mayman.

This triggers an inflammatory reaction that produces symptoms ranging from pain to itching, redness and/or swelling. In most cases, the inflammation produces a solid or purulent lump that can be seen and felt. Moreover, inflammation often leaves behind post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (dark spots) - and if the inflammation is strong, real scars can occur.

So what can you do about it? Start by dealing with your current ingrown hairs, then treating existing scars and hyperpigmentation, and finally, taking appropriate steps to prevent ingrown hairs and unattractive traces in the future.

Cure all existing ingrown hairs

The first step in removing scars is the proper treatment of the growths (keyword - proper).

"When the condition is not treated and becomes chronic, scarring and hyperpigmentation can occur," explains Dr. Hoop Mitchell, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Mitchell Dermatology.

She says that scratching or squeezing can lead to secondary bacterial infections and leave a change in color or hyperpigmentation that may take many months to resolve. And during the healing period, avoid shaving, tweezers, and depilation of that area.

If you feel any redness and pain, Dr. Ellis Love, a doctor of medicine, a dermatologist with a certificate from the board from New York, suggests that you alleviate it with warm compresses, which can also help pull the hairs to the surface. In addition, Mayman suggests using a one percent hydrocortisone cream as a treatment for inflammation. But if the ingrown hair really causes significant pain and irritation, make an appointment with your dermatologist for a consultation.

Exfoliation of the problem region

If exfoliation is not already part of your regular skincare routine, we reveal why you should start as soon as possible. As Mayman explains, some ingrown hairs appear because the follicular opening is physically blocked, which leads to the follicle growing completely under the skin. To remove dead skin cells that clog pores and excess fat on the surface, and to release hair that grows underneath, Mitchell suggests washing the area with a mild cleanser and exfoliating with warm water several times a week.

When the ingrown hairs are settled, continue exfoliating to prevent new ones from appearing. For prevention, Mayman recommends exfoliation with a product that contains ingredients that speed up cell turnover and reduce the likelihood of clogging pores with dead skin cells and debris, such as alpha-hydroxy acids (such as glycolic acid) and beta-hydroxy acids.

Not only is exfoliation key to treating and preventing ingrown hairs, but it can also work to improve residual scars. Dr. Leo says that dark spots will fade over time, but the process can be accelerated by using alpha-hydroxy acids and beta-hydroxy acids, as well as chemical peeling at your local beauty salon.

Fade dark spots with certain ingredients

Fortunately, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation left over from ingrown hairs will resolve spontaneously without any treatment, says Mayman. Unfortunately, this can take several months to a year. Can you speed up that process? If the scar you have is more discolored than the actual scar, Mayman says it can be treated with certain skincare products and ingredients.

As mentioned earlier, Leo recommends alpha-hydroxy acids (for exfoliation and fading dark spots) and also suggests trying hydroquinone (for treating hyperpigmentation). Mitchell also recommends vitamin C, which brightens the skin and improves and prevents the appearance of pigmentation. Other ingredients to have in your routine, according to Mayman, are retinol, niacinamide, and coic acid, which all lighten, regulate dark spots and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and even out skin tone.

Be careful with home hair removal

Ingrown spots are often associated with shaving for a reason: improper or random shaving can leave you with quite painful irritation and ingrown bumps.

"Education on how to shave, shaving frequency and minimizing irritation is key to reducing the occurrence of this condition," says Dr. Mitchell.

First: choosing the right products and tools.

"Single-blade razors are usually the best because they allow you to shave evenly along the surface of the skin. A high-quality shaving cream will protect the skin underneath and provide a slippery base to achieve a smooth shave, ”explains Leo.

Dr. Mayman also emphasizes the importance of using shaving cream or gel, because it reduces micro-injuries to the skin, which can increase the risk of ingrown hairs and inflammation.

Once you get the right supplies, focus on the shaving technique. Apply a cream or gel, and then start shaving in the direction of hair growth, says Dr. Mitchell. Regular rinsing of the razor may take a little longer, but this is not a step you want to skip.

"Be sure to clean the blade after each stroke to make sure each stroke is as efficient as possible," explains Dr. Mayman.

That way, you won't have to cross more than once, because each crossing increases the risk of further growth. When you're done with the shaving session, don't wait too long for the next one.

"It sounds counterintuitive, but shaving more often helps prevent hair growth. This prevents the hair from growing long enough to curl back into the skin, ”says Leo.

If waxing is your choice for hair removal, Dr. Leo also recommends using a gentle scrub several times a week to prevent the accumulation of dead skin cells. And just like with shaving, Leo says that you choose shorter intervals between waxing to prevent the hair from growing long enough to curl into the skin, which is especially important for those with curly hair.

Try treatments in the beauty salons

According to Dr. Mayman, real scars generally require treatments in the salon for some noticeable improvement, and the right treatment is determined by the type of scar. For hyperpigmentation, you have many options for treatments in the office, from light-based devices, such as intense pulsed light therapy, to laser surface restoration.

If you have tried all the products for which the recipe is not needed and introduced the proposed changes in the shaving routine, but you do not see the improvement of scars from ingrown hairs, consult a professional.

"If the condition persists, I recommend that you make an appointment with a dermatologist for treatment options," says Dr. Mitchell.

After all, just because ingrown hairs are common doesn't mean you have to put up with them if you don't want to.

By: Olivia J.