If you are prone to chronic ingrown hair, you do have a few options:
1. Change the way you remove unwanted hair: instead of shaving or tweezing, use scissors to clip hair short in prone areas
2. Opt for hair removal methods that do not promote ingrown hair (remove hair follicle instead of only hair), such as laser hair removal
3. Do not remove the hair that is in an ingrown-hair-prone area
The Mayo Clinic's Ingrown Hair had some great tips on how to release an ingrown hair that is already present, as well as hair removal tips to prevent ingrown hair from forming.
To release ingrown hairs, you can:
* Wash the affected area using a washcloth or soft-bristled toothbrush, using a circular motion, for several minutes before shaving and at bedtime
* Use a sterile needle, inserting it under hair loops, to gently lift hair tips that are embedded in your skin
To help prevent ingrown hairs, use hair removal methods that make ingrown hairs less likely.
If you shave:
* Wet the hair to be removed with warm water
* Avoid close shaves
* Use a lubricating shave gel
* Use a single-blade razor
* Use a sharp blade
* Don't pull your skin taut while shaving
* Shave in the direction of hair growth
* Rinse the blade after each stroke
* Apply cool compresses to the shaved area when you're finished
Other methods of hair removal include:
* Electric razor. Avoid the closest shave setting.
* Chemical hair remover. The chemicals may irritate your skin, so test on a small area first.
* Eflornithine hydrochloride cream (Vaniqa). Not actually a hair remover, this prescription cream decreases hair growth in women. It must be used with another hair removal method.
If you are worried about ingrown hair that is chronic, you may also talk with your doctor (dermatologist) about hair removal options, as scarring can occur in chronic situations.
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If you are prone to chronic ingrown hair, you do have a few options:
1. Change the way you remove unwanted hair: instead of shaving or tweezing, use scissors to clip hair short in prone areas
2. Opt for hair removal methods that do not promote ingrown hair (remove hair follicle instead of only hair), such as laser hair removal
3. Do not remove the hair that is in an ingrown-hair-prone area
The Mayo Clinic's Ingrown Hair had some great tips on how to release an ingrown hair that is already present, as well as hair removal tips to prevent ingrown hair from forming.
To release ingrown hairs, you can:
* Wash the affected area using a washcloth or soft-bristled toothbrush, using a circular motion, for several minutes before shaving and at bedtime
* Use a sterile needle, inserting it under hair loops, to gently lift hair tips that are embedded in your skin
To help prevent ingrown hairs, use hair removal methods that make ingrown hairs less likely.
If you shave:
* Wet the hair to be removed with warm water
* Avoid close shaves
* Use a lubricating shave gel
* Use a single-blade razor
* Use a sharp blade
* Don't pull your skin taut while shaving
* Shave in the direction of hair growth
* Rinse the blade after each stroke
* Apply cool compresses to the shaved area when you're finished
Other methods of hair removal include:
* Electric razor. Avoid the closest shave setting.
* Chemical hair remover. The chemicals may irritate your skin, so test on a small area first.
* Eflornithine hydrochloride cream (Vaniqa). Not actually a hair remover, this prescription cream decreases hair growth in women. It must be used with another hair removal method.
If you are worried about ingrown hair that is chronic, you may also talk with your doctor (dermatologist) about hair removal options, as scarring can occur in chronic situations.
July 3, 2011 - 12:42pmThis Comment
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