Ingrown hair are hairs that curls back or grows sideways into the skin. The problem with this is that it leads to infection and inflammation that can result in a pus-filled sore that is not only unattractive to your skin, but painful as well and a health risk if the infection worsens and spreads.
Although an ingrown hair can appear anywhere, the 3 most common areas of the body where ingrown hairs develop on a woman’s body are the underarms, the groin and the legs. It’s the area where women shave regularly. This happens not only as a result of shaving, but also waxing.
HOW TO TREAT INGROWN HAIR OR INFLAMMATION
Aloe or a Hydrocortisone Cream
In cases of mild ingrown hair or inflammation of the skin seen as small bumps due to the trauma of a razor scraping too close against the skin, dermatologists recommends treating it with aloe or a hydrocortisone cream to reduce the inflammation and soothe the bumps.
But in cases where the ingrown hair results in a pus-filled sore, dermatologists recommend treating the ingrown hair with a 3-step process as follows:
1. Soak the sore with a wash cloth that has been wetted with warm water. This will soften the skin and gently cause the top of the sore to slough off.
2. Using a pair of tweezers, gently grasp the hair at its bend above the sore and pull the free ingrown end out without plucking out the entire hair. Pulling out the entire hair may increase the chance of further infection.
3. Soothe the affected area with an application of benzoyl peroxide.
Hypericum perforatum
It is a yellow flowering plant of the genus Hypericum and a medicinal herb with potent anti-inflammatory properties. Most effective components are hyperforin and other polyphenol.
In folk medicine, oil is made out of this herb called Perforate St John’s wort oil and it is for external use only. Perforate St John’s wort oil is prepared from freshly collected material, placed in glass containers, most often in olive oil and left in the sun. Under the influence of heat and light it comes to photolytic decomposition of some components (hypericin and similar components) and red colored hyperforin is created which passes in the oil.
Apply to your skin few drops from the oil and gently massage the affected area. Repeat this few times a day until you start noticing the results. You will see the benefits from this powerful herb within few weeks although it depends from the type and the size of the skin condition.
Massage with a moisturizer
Massage the affected area (scars) with a thick moisturizer to keep skin hydrated and increase blood flow to the area. The increased blood flow stimulates collagen production within your skin, healing skin problems effectively.
Eat a well balanced diet
Eat a well balanced diet rich in zinc and vitamin C such as broccoli, potatoes, beef, peanuts and citrus fruits. These nutrients help speed the healing process in your skin during and after injury. These nutrients build collagen tissue around your blood vessels in order to restore your skin to a more appealing appearance.
Consult dermatologist
Consult your dermatologist for professional chemical peels to remove the outer layers of damaged skin and promote new skin healing to eliminate scar appearance.
HOW TO PREVENT GETTING INGROWN HAIR
The ingrown hairs appear as a result of the type of razor you are using. Women should never use a typical men’s multi-blade style razor. The multi-blade razor is designed to cut hairs so that they retract below the skin to give a smoother shaving experience for a man’s face. However, it also significantly increases the chance that those hairs will curl beneath the skin and become ingrown in those problem areas for women.
4 steps to proper shaving technique for women:
1. Exfoliate the skin briefly to remove dead skin and prepare the area for shaving.
2. Apply a lubricating shave gel to soften the skin and the hairs.
3. Use a single-blade razor designed for women that will cut the hairs at skin level rather than below the skin.
4. Apply a cool compress to the skin to soothe and prevent bumping.