Ingrowns bother many women who use epilators or waxing. Before I let you into my world of remedies for ingrowns and folliculitis, let me tell you about the cause of ingrown hair.

Why does hair grow back into skin?

Ingrowns usually result from removing hair with wax or epilators, or pulling hairs out together with the bulbs. A hair which is removed with a bulb is thick and soft, therefore it has problems with piercing the thick layer of skin. The problem gets bigger due to calloused epidermis which is the consequence of irritating the skin with an epilator or razor. That is why a hair gets twisted under the skin. Finally, it manages to pierce the skin. Unfortunately, before it happens, you may face up to folliculitis which appears through red, itchy, painful, usually pus-filled bumps. The skin around them is swollen and irritated, which may develop into a serious inflammation and scarring.

Even though ingrowns are generally caused by removing both hairs and bulbs, it happens that even a single-use razor (usually, a ragged one) is to be blamed. Legs, pubic area and armpits are most commonly affected by ingrowns. Men struggle with them as well – mostly affecting the neck and chin. Ingrowns may be caused by using a razor or a trimmer.

Remedies for ingrown hair

Ingrowns can develop into advanced inflammation and painful bumps. If this is the case, I suggest visiting a dermatologist who will probably advise on other hair removal methods.

  • Dermocosmetics for ingrowns
    Ingrowns usually react to dermocosmetics based on glycolic, salicylic or lactic acids, available at drugstores. You should apply products rich in these ingredients to your body after every hair removal routine because they soften epidermis making it easier for hair to pierce through.
  • Anti ingrowns scrubs
    A scrub is another effective way to fight ingrowns after hair removal. I recommend sugar and salt scrubs to you as well as scrubs rich in sodium, coffee or ground apricot seeds. You can buy or make scrubs at home. If you go for DIY, make use of honey, coconut oil or olive oil. If you tend to have ingrowns, simply massage your body using a rough sponge, glove or brush. Even though the visual effect will be the same, massaging won’t nourish your skin. At the end, remember to moisturise skin with a lotion or oil e.g. coconut oil. Also, don’t scrub the skin too often or too hard. In this way, you will make things worse; the epidermis will try to defend itself by building up. A scrub once in two weeks will surely do. In order to soften skin and help hairs pierce the skin quickly, use regular salt; melt a tablespoon of salt in a glass of lukewarm water, soak a cotton pad in and rub it in skin twice a day.
  • Laser hair removal to fight ingrowns
    The treatment removes hair and heals skin. When you go for laser therapy and you already have ingrowns, you don’t have to wait until they go away or help them do that. Laser is going to remove the ingrowns as well because the laser light is absorbed by the pigment of skin and hair follicles – melanin. As a result, a hair bulb is damaged and loses the ability to repair. To make it happen, you must go through a series of treatments; their number depends on your hair color, amount and structure.

Folliculitis – my remedies

If ingrowns lead to folliculitis, there are also ways to deal with it.

  • Aspirin
    Melt two aspirin tablets in a tablespoon of water and mix with a tablespoon of honey. Apply the pulp to irritated skin and leave it in for 10 minutes. Then, rinse it out.
  • Black tea
    If you’re a fan of black tea, I’ve got some good news. After having a warm beverage, the tea bag works as a cure for skin irritation – just rub it over the skin. Tea contains tannin which reduces redness and inflammation plus kills bacteria.
  • Aloe
    Aloe has similar effect. That’s why you should grow it in a pot and keep for a rainy day. To discover the benefits of this plant, tear a leaf off and rub the juice in red skin twice a day.

What are your remedies for ingrowns? What kind of hair removal lets you get rid of the problem or largely reduce it? Waiting for your feedback!

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