Ingrown hair

Ingrown hair

Ingrown hair is an inflammatory reaction in the skin, where hair grows under the skin's surface. Ingrown hairs can be bothersome, but often only for cosmetic reasons. Hair removal, especially shaving, is a common cause of the condition.

What is ingrown hair?

Ingrown hairs are the result of hair growing under the surface of the skin, which leads to an inflammatory response in the skin. The condition is most common on the face and neck, but you can also get it in the armpits, underneath and on the legs, or possibly other places where hair is removed.

Ingrown hairs are most common in dark-skinned men of African descent, but anyone who removes unwanted hair can experience it. The reason why dark-skinned people may experience it to a greater extent is because they often have dense, curly hair that has a higher tendency to curl back towards the skin surface.

Cause of ingrown hair?

Ingrown hairs often occur as a result of the removal of unwanted hair growth. Especially for shaving, but also for other types of hair removal. Instead of growing out of the skin surface, cut and short hairs will lie under the skin. This can lead to irritation and inflammation.

Ingrown hairs can occur as a result of two mechanisms. By the fact that the hair bends and goes back into the skin after it has grown out of the skin surface. Shaving will contribute to this by forming short, sharp hairs that can penetrate the skin.

It can also happen because the hair does not grow up and out, but to the side and gets trapped under the skin. This can also be caused by shaving, as the cut hair can go back into the hair follicle again as a result of the skin being pulled by shaving. Razors with multiple blades can cause this as the first blade pulls the hair upwards, while the second blade cuts it so it goes back under the skin.

Symptoms of ingrown hairs

• Small, firm, swellings where the hair should have grown out. These can be skin colored, dark or red. You can also see hair that has gone back into the skin at the swelling.

• Itching and irritated skin on the exposed area.

• Pus-filled swellings may occur.

• Formation of scars.

Good advice

Do not pick or squeeze the ingrown hairs as this may cause further skin irritation.

Use plenty of lubricating shaving foam, cream or gel that is left to work for a few minutes. This will make the hairs softer before shaving and it can also lead to less sharp hairs.

Do not shave against the direction of the hair.

Use warm compresses to soften the hairs before shaving.

Avoid stretching the skin when shaving.

Use a razor with only one blade. This will result in less short, cut hairs that can go back under the skin.

Men can try washing their beard gently with a cloth or sponge in circular motions for a few minutes a day. This can cause ingrown hairs to be released.

Avoid picking out the ingrown hairs as this can lead to worsening of the inflammation.

Hair removal cream as a substitute for shaving can help for some, but it can also lead to worsening of skin irritation if one reacts to the product. It's a good idea to try hair removal cream on a small area first to see if you react to it.

Avoid too close a shave. Leave the hairs to a certain length.

Scrub the skin regularly to prevent dead skin cells from clogging the pores and causing hair to grow in the wrong direction.

Treatment

The treatment is primarily aimed at preventing hair from growing under the skin. The safest and most effective way to do this is to avoid permanent hair removal. You will then be able to see an improvement after one to six months. This is often unrealistic for many, but you can also achieve improvement by avoiding the hair removal that has led to the ingrown hairs for only a period.

Alternatively, changing hair removal routines or removing hair with laser treatment can also prevent ingrown hairs. Laser treatment will lead to less thick and dense hair by destroying the hair follicles, while improving hair removal routines can control the condition and prevent worsening.

Current additional treatment:

• Apply antiseptics after shaving.

• Apply mild hydrocortisone cream.