How to Treat and Avoid Ingrown Hairs

Ingrown hairs (also called razor bumps) are unsightly and painful. They result when the shaved hair gets trapped inside the follicle or grows back into the skin. It can cause scarring, redness and swelling.

Here, reasons why ingrowns occur:
The hair follicle becomes injured. Repeated nicking/pulling of the skin through shaving or waxing can damage the opening of the follicle so there’s no clear hole from which the hair shaft can grow.

• The hair follicle becomes obstructed. Excess oil produced by the sebaceous glands can form a plug in the stockinglike follicle, forcing the hair either back down into, or out a side of, the follicle.

Not all women and men can look clean-shaven. Some individuals–especially with heavy, curly hairs may develop ingrown hairs. Shaving facilitates the process of ingrown hairs by “sharpening” the free hair end. Tender pimples then arise when closely cut hairs grow out and pierce the hair follicle or curl back and reenter the skin to cause a foreign body reaction.

This condition is known as PseudoFolliculitis Barbae–PFB (see diagram). The screw-shaped hair growth pattern, where hair winds itself like a screw, is more common with curly hair.

How to treat and avoid ingrown hair:

FIRST – Treat with active ingedients: There are several products that claim to help treat ingrown hairs, but the reality is that Salicylic acid is the one active substance that can visibly improve razor bumps. It is a dermatological-grade ingredient that exfoliates, moisturizes, clears pores and can help prevent infection. Use a post-shave product with salicylic acid so it remains on your skin the whole day.

• Ingrown Hair: A “sharpened” hair re-enters the hair follicle causing an ingrown hair. To help relieve this condition, roll on PFB Vanish to affected areas morning and night two days prior to hair removal. After hair removal apply daily for maximum benefits. After using PFB Vanish, the trapped hair is “lifted” above the skin surface.
• Razor Bump: A “sharpened” hair pierces a neighboring hair follicle resulting in a razor bump.To help relieve this condition, roll on PFB Vanish to affected areas morning and night two days prior to hair removal. After hair removal apply daily for maximum benefits. But the powerful exfoliants in PFB Vanish, “lift” the hair above the skin surface.

SECOND – Improve your skins surface: Exfoliate your skin with a gentle face and/or body scrub. (I recommend Phytomers Gomage . Make sure you use a circular motion and to obtain best results use an exfoliating body glove. You can also try this quick fix for Bikini ingrowns: Exfoliate the area with a salicylic or glycolic acid-packed cleanser (try Intaglio’s Glycolic Cleanser-3) while in the shower, then dab a lactic acid-containing cream (try Intaglio’s LAC Moisturizing Lotion) right on the spots, which will help soften the skin so that hair can emerge,

THIRD - Adjust your shaving technique. Don’t shave to close- Hair stubs cut too closely will get trapped inside the hair follicle and dig inward or sideways. Don’t pull the skin when you shave; don’t put too much pressure on the blades; shave with the grain and use a single-blade razor. Be gentle when shaving- go over your skin lightly with a clean, not dull, razor blade and use a shaving lubricant. (tryAmerican Crew’s Shaving Oil or Phytomers Homme line)

Fourth – Find the best method of hair removal for you and stick with it. Once you figure out which one causes the least bumps for you–whether it’s waxing, shaving or using depilatory lotions–don’t switch.

If you have any experiences with skincare for teenage acne or would like to share anything with us, please post a comment or question below!

Tags: American Crew, Intaglio Skin Care, men, pfb vanish, phytomer

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