Ingrown hair can be unattractive. It can also be painful or itchy. This health tip explains what you can do about ingrown hair.
Shaving regularly is part of everyday life for many people, whether it's their face, armpits, bikini area or legs. Regardless of where the hair is, it's got to go. But if you are not careful when shaving, you can wind up with irritated skin or ingrown hair.
What is ingrown hair?
Ingrown hair can actually occur anywhere, but it is most often seen in areas of the body where the hair is thicker and frizzier and where we shave it off. Often, hair is cut at an angle during shaving and does not grow back straight. If the pores are then blocked by sebum (an oily, waxy substance produced by your body's sebaceous glands) or scurf (thin dry scales of skin), there is an increased risk that hair will grow in. If the skin in that area is also delicate and exposed to rubbing – like the armpits – this increases the risk.
A cosmetic problem or a health issue?
First things first: Ingrown hair isn't usually dangerous. After some time, the body becomes aware of the ingrown hair and gets rid of it itself. However, it is not possible to say exactly how long the ingrown hair will remain in place. It will disappear more quickly or more slowly depending on skin type and irritation. It is important not to make the affected area worse by scratching. In a few cases, the hair root may become inflamed. This may be due to an infection caused by poor hygiene after shaving or to damaged skin in the case of neurodermatitis. Inflammation can also be caused by medication or fatty skin care products such as Vaseline or massage oil. In the worst case, a painful abscess can develop. In this case, do not under any circumstances attempt to remove the hair yourself or squeeze the area around it. You are going to have to see a doctor.
Watch out when shaving
To prevent the development of ingrown hairs, there are a few things you should look out for when shaving:
- Preparation: Treat the skin with warm water (do not use oils, as they block the pores). An exfoliant can be used before shaving. This gets rid of dead skin particles.
- Shaving: Always shave in the direction of hair growth and take special care in sensitive areas (the armpits or the genital area).
- After shaving: Use a non-greasy moisturising cream or body lotion. This will allow the skin to breathe and regenerate.
