Beauty
How to treat and prevent ingrown hairs
Istockphoto Image by: Istockphoto
Beauty
How to treat and prevent ingrown hairs
Those little red bumps that crop up on your legs, underarms and bikini line just in time for summer are called "ingrown hairs," and while they're not dangerous, they possess the power to ruin an otherwise perfect day at the beach. If you’re burdened by a bump (or two), rest assured: Ingrown hairs are not only treatable, but preventable, too. With proper care, those painful and unsightly ingrowns will be good and gone by bikini season.
What is an ingrown hair?
An ingrown hair “is a hair that does not grow sufficiently out of the follicular opening and continues to grow underneath the surface of the skin,” says Bailu Lu, senior researcher of the Gillette Reading Innovation Centre.
Although several factors contribute to the development of ingrown hairs, “a tendency for thick, tightly curled hairs and the presence of excess skin flakes surrounding and clogging the hair follicle opening” are primary culprits, says Lu. “These conditions typically exist in the bikini [and underarm] regions.” For that reason, summer is a particularly unforgiving time for ingrown hairs to rear their ugly heads.
Prevention
Women can greatly reduce the number of bumps they experience by adding two simple steps to their bathing routines.
First, says Lu, “light exfoliation with gentle scrubs will help to prevent ingrown hairs by removing and reducing flaky skin around the hair follicle opening.” Women with sensitive skin might prefer exfoliating pads or a natural-fibre mitt or brush in lieu of a body scrub, but some level of exfoliation is necessary in the prevention of painful bumps.
Second, don’t forget to moisturize. Women who shave should use a hydrating shave gel to ease the glide of the razor (using short, gentle strokes), while women who wax, depilate or laser should round out their hair removal session with a light layer of unscented body lotion.
Treatment
Bikini bumps fade quickest when caught early. “If you do find ingrown hairs,” says Lu, “free them by carefully removing excess skin so that a part of the hair can be caught and pulled.” This method works best after a warm shower when hair follicles are as open as possible. “Always use clean tweezers when removing ingrown hairs,” explains Lu. And be sure to pluck in a quick, streamlined motion to avoid breakage while removing the offending hair from root to tip.
If an ingrown hair becomes painful and bright red with a bulbous white or yellow tip, it might be infected. Treat the area with a topical antibiotic ointment, or speak with your doctor if you’re especially prone to infections.
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