Question: What's the most effective way to stop ingrown hair?

 LauraDutraHairDesigner more than 1 year ago

I have exfoiliating gloves that I use every day in the shower. They work great!
Nutrogena has an inexpensive salicylic body wash and a scrub.

 skinpro more than 1 year ago

Hey there,
Ingrown hairs are always hard to deal with. I believe the best way to stop them is to prevent them. Although they are hard to prevent, you need to exfoliate the skin regularly especially before and after hair removal. A trick that i have found to be helpful is using a moisturizing body wash with an exfoliating mitt/loofa or something like it. Keeping the skin well moisturized is also a good trick. Using Aloe vera, or Aloe based lotions are good moisturizers. Use multiple times a day. Body scrubs may be used but be careful on the size of exfoliating beads or crystals they have in them for they could be irritating to your skin.

The whole goal is to keep your skin free of a dead cell layer on the surface. This is what causes the ingrown hairs. When the hair grows back, sometimes it is not strong enough to break through the dead cell layer and may curl up under the skin. Causing a bumpy feel or appearance and sometimes causing a painful blister appearance as it fills up with pus.

 ruthlm more than 1 year ago

Exfoliating 2-3 times a week can help, and you can also buy creams to apply that can discourage ingrown hairs. Sometimes people are just prone to ingrown hairs. If you wax your hair the hair gets weaker and so can get caught under the skin as it is someimes not thick/strong enough to break through any dead skin cells etc that are on the skin. Hope that helps x

 Snipit more than 1 year ago

I agree with the other answers. Exfoliating is the best way to prevent ingrown hairs. Also if you are in a hurry take a towel and rub the area this is a fast way to exfoliate without product.

 amberbromer more than 1 year ago

exfoiliating every day.

 JLRichHC more than 1 year ago

Hello there!

An ingrown hair is a hair that curls back on itself and starts growing back into the follicle, or a hair that fails to grow out of the follicle and stays embedded in the skin.

The best way to treat an ingrown hair is followed by a series of easy steps.

1. Exfoliate the area. This will help to remove any dead skin cells, dirt, and oils that might be trapping the ingrown hair.
2. Apply a dab of acne medication. Ingrown hairs are similar to pimples. Acne treatment and daily exfoliation are most often enough to remove the ingrown hair, since swelling will be reduced, giving the hair more room to grow out (rather than in).
3. Apply a warm, moist compress to the area for a few minutes to soften the skin. Wet a clean washcloth with hot water, wring it out, and press it against the ingrown hair. This will help to soften the area which will help the hair come towards the surface.
4. Use a sterile tweezer to get the hair out.
5. Wash the area with a moisturizing soap to reduce any other particles that may enter the affected area.

 Lerage more than 1 year ago

Hi there,

All of the answers given so far are super and so I will be repeating a lot of what has been said already.

A hair becomes 'ingrown' because the follicle (which moulds and shapes the body of the hair or hair shaft) has become distorted via methods of removal otherwise is naturally (genetically) curved/spiral in shape. Unfortunately whatever the 'cause' or 'reason' - the follicle cannot ever be 'straightened out'.
'Ingrown Hairs' must be watched carefully (hairs can, in some instances, grow down and inwards reaching the subcutaneous and muscle tissue - very painful, requiring incision, leaving scarring)

Tend Skin and Ingrow Go are great products. These products rapidly dehydrate the superficial layers of skin encouraging new fresh cells (lower down) 'push up' the flaky dead skin cells that are cocooning the shaft of the troublesome hair. Use of these products should be contained to the area and preferably applied with a cotton bud for precision. Re-apply as often as the product recommends and exfoliate (again with precision) before each re-application.

The only permanent method (I can suggest) that could attempt to control ingrown hair 'outbreaks' is light-based hair removal therapies who's aim is to destroy the follicle and stunt hair re-growth. Of course this remedy has to be considered very carefully because it is not able to 'selectively' destroy ingrown hairs whilst allowing 'okay' follicles to continue producing hairs ... In other words Laser, LHE and IPL etc will permanently reduce ALL the hair growth in the area of application

I hope this helps and doesn't confuse

Kind regards

Michelle

PS. To avoid creating or exacerbating 'ingrown hairs' you should always visit an experienced professional for epilation. Incorrect plucking, threading and waxing (incorrect direction of removal) is a major cause of ingrown hairs however ROTARY EPILATORS ARE THE BIGGEST CREATORS OF INGROWN HAIRS - IF YOU HAVE AN EPILATOR - BIN IT ... NOW!!!

 MsElegant1 more than 1 year ago

Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate!!!! Exfoliation takes away the superficial layer of dead skin allowing oxygen to get into the pores and kill the bacteria that causes breakouts. Exfoliating the face is as simple as using your wash cloth to wipe away cleanser. You can also use a cleanser with exfoliating beads to help keep pores open so that previously removed hair can break thru the skin when growing back. Skin on the body is not as fragile so you can use any type of exfoliating body wash or a loofah sponge to keep pores clean and clear. ***PLEASE NOTE**** Do not exfoliate for at least 24 HOURS after you have had ANY WAXING SERVICES DONE!!!! Your skin has already been exfoliated from the wax treatment. Hope this helps!!!!

 JeunesseSpa more than 1 year ago

First, the obligatory disclaimer: the information presented below is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any medical condition or to substitute for a health care provider’s consultation.

And now for the fun stuff: Ingrown hair (also called embedded hair) is caused when hair gets trapped inside the follicle or re-grows into the skin. The hair can remain inconsequently below the skin or lead to conditions such as folliculitis (inflammation of hair follicles, similar to acne) or pseudofolliculitis barbae, a condition that leads to firm redish or dark bumps on the skin. This often occurs in shaved areas since the hair edge is sharper and can more easily penetrate the skin, especially with tightly coiled hair. If the hair is cut slightly below the surface of the skin, the hair tip may actually pierce the wall of the hair follicle without exiting the skin ("transfollicular penetration").

Treatment may involve avoidance of close shaving, topical prescription medications, or permanent hair removal:

The easiest and possibly most effective solution may simply be stopping to shave. For many people, however, this may not be a viable option. Instead, you can try a lighter shaving technique – i.e. don’t press down on the skin as much when you shave or use an electric trimmer instead of a blade. You can also try light exfoliation using a product such as a gentle buf puf (made by 3M – you can try either the regular or disposable pads and see what works for you).

Medical treatment may be reserved for patients with more serious conditions, such as pseudofolliculitis barbae or ingrown hairs over an extensive area. In this case, a physician may prescribe various topical or oral medications.

The third method involves permanent hair removal using laser, IPL, or electrolysis. All methods can help alleviate ingrown hair. We chose to use electrolysis to treat ingrown hair in our spa for three reasons: 1. It is the only method approved by the FDA to claim permanent hair removal (as opposed to hair reduction). 2. It can effectively treat ingrown hairs that lie below the surface of the skin, whereas the hair must be slightly visible for laser treatment. 3. You can choose to selectively treat the individual “problem-causing” hairs, instead of the whole surface.

To summarize -- you may want to start with a lighter shaving technique or electric trimmer coupled with gentle exfoliation. If this doesn’t work, or if you have severe ingrown hair, consider permanent hair removal or seek the advice of a dermatologist.

Sources: Joshua Gordon, M.D. http://www.NiosSpa.com/ http://www.Jeunessespa.com

 Christophe more than 1 year ago

It varies you don't look over weight maybe if you were looser clotheing.....then I don't know were the ingrown hair is LOL

 ReginaB more than 1 year ago

Be sure to exfoliate before you shave and to use a shave cream when you do shave. Don't shave as soon as you get in the shwer. The hair folicles will swell slightly the longer you are in the water thus making the hair thicker and easier to shave, getting closer to the skin. Follow with No Bump, which you can find at Sally's, to keep those ingrowns from happening.