Ingrown hair after epilation: causes, remedies and prevention
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Ingrown hair after epilation is one of the most common problems. They appear, when hair removal or depilation is not completely removed - the part remains under the skin, continuing to grow.
Causes of the ingrown hair after epilation
Usually ingrown hair occurs as a result of hair removal performed at home, but sometimes a similar problem appears after the salon procedure. In order to know how to get rid of growing hair, you first need to find out the reasons why it happens. Cosmetologists believe that this problem mostly depends on the density of the skin, as well as the number of its layers.
The causes that provoke ingrown hairs:
- Dense layer of skin;
- Hormonal failure (in the first half of the menstrual cycle, there is a surge of estrogen). Also, such changes can occur due to disruption in the endocrine system, and in addition to this increase in the rate of estrogen production;
- Injury of the hair canal during the procedure of hair removal;
- Appearance after the procedure of a microscopic scar in the hair channel;
- Wraparound or damage to the hair under the skin level, possible in case of improperly performed hair removal;
- Shaving performed against the growth of the hairline, especially if a blunt razor is used;
- Tight or uncomfortable underwear (especially synthetic), which prevents the evaporation of sweat from the skin and often causes the development of bacterial infection. Synthetic lingerie is not recommended to be worn immediately after the procedure, so as not to cause an inflammatory process.
Risk factors
More often than not, the owners of this sensitive problem are too sensitive, and in addition to this thin skin, as well as girls with excessively dense and rough skin. Another risk factor is dry skin, which was additionally overdried by tanning (including artificial in the solarium).
Symptoms of the ingrown hair after epilation
Among the first signs of the problem - the appearance of local redness on the epidermis, which look like a large rash. In the worst case, when the hair grows on the skin, furuncles are formed, which begin to inflame.
Complications and consequences
What is dangerous for ingrown hair after hair removal? Consequences and complications
Ingrown hair can provoke quite dangerous complications:
- They can lead to the development of an inflammatory process with subsequent suppuration - this can be the beginning of an infectious infection;
- After removing the hairs on the surface of the epidermis, there may be various scars, scars or spots, similar to pigmented ones, and it is possible that they will become quite large and noticeable.
[1],
Who to contact?
Treatment of the ingrown hair after epilation
You can correct the problem using the following methods:
If the hair is not deep and the skin is not affected by inflammation, it is necessary to steam it, then apply a light peeling, applying a scrub. If there is no scrub, you can take a hard loofah or a special synthetic mitten. Maybe you will not be able to free the ingrown hairs completely and you will not be able to, but by your actions you will still clear their way to the surface. Such peeling is allowed to be done daily or after a day, softening the skin after the procedure - use any moisturizing cream or pick up a lotion.
In case of inflammation, it is necessary to apply to any place for a long time any drug that removes acne. When the inflammation subsides, you can perform a light peeling procedure.
If the location of the hair is too deep, it is determined by the tightening of the skin in this area, as well as a slight reddening of this place. In this situation, the hairs need to be removed mechanically - using a medical needle and tweezers. But it is not recommended to remove them on their own - it is better to provide this procedure to a specialist.
If you do not have this possibility, you need to steam the area of inflammation, taking a simple moist warm compress, and then treat it using an antiseptic. Then take a sterile medical needle, carefully pry her hair, and grab it with tweezers. Then you need to again treat this place with an antiseptic, and then apply a cooling compress on it.
Means from ingrown hair after hair removal
There are many different drugs that help to fight the ingrowth of hairs after the procedure of hair removal.
Levomecol ointment can improve the process of tissue repair, and also has an excellent antibacterial effect. With it, you can remove the hairs and quickly heal the remaining wounds after them. It is required to apply the ointment on gauze and for several hours to apply it to the damaged place. This procedure can be repeated every day until the hair is removed.
Salicylic acid pinpoints the spots of inflammation until the hairs are on the surface of the skin. Since this remedy is an antiseptic, you will protect yourself from possible infection.
In addition, it is permitted to apply special treatments for treatment that help to remove ingrown hairs. Almost any cosmetic company has similar products in their cosmetic lines. There are local ointments that help to soften the skin, as well as sprouting a hair through it. FoliSan products are quite effective in dealing with such problems.
There are also lotions - for example, Ingrow Go from Skin Doctors, and in addition to Aravia Professional or Depilflax, as well as other products that have disinfecting, drying, and pulling properties, which helps the hairs to surface without difficulty. These lotions cost quite cheaply, and one such flakonchika will suffice for a long time. They can be applied after each hair removal - as a preventative against possible ingrowning.
Creams from ingrown hair after hair removal
The skin requires regular moisturizing - it uses a variety of creams. With ingrown hairs, fatty creams should not be used as a moisturizer, as they can clog pores. More suitable will be conventional drugs that have natural substances in their composition.
Alternative treatment
There are also methods of alternative treatment.
To cope with the problem effectively helps lotion, which is prepared as follows - you need to take 2 tablets. Aspirin, 1 tsp. Glycerol, and also ¼ stack. Boiled water and mix these ingredients, forming a medicinal mixture. Such a lotion should wipe places with ingrown hair several times a day. Soon they will sprout to the surface.
Take a little powder of water and mix with a small amount of hydrogen peroxide to get a mixture that will be neither thick nor liquid. It must be applied to the damage site and held for 10 minutes. At the end of the procedure, you should wash off the mixture and apply olive oil or ordinary baby cream to the treatment area. To conduct this procedure you need every day for a week.
Stir 2 tablespoons. Cane sugar and 1 tbsp. Jojoba oil (or olive oil), and add 10 drops. Oil melaleuka. The resulting scrub will help exfoliate the hardened skin cells, and besides this will have an antiseptic and softening effect on the skin.
Oil against ingrown hairs after hair removal
Remove redness and irritation from the skin with a variety of essential oils: such as jojoba, orange, almond, bergamot or incense oil. Thanks to these tools, the skin softens and the metabolic processes are improved - this allows you to remove redness and stains, make the skin more tender and smooth.
Herbal Treatment
To remove hairs, we use also lotions, made on the basis of chamomile, calendula, and other herbs. Warm moist lotion should be applied to the inflammation zone for several minutes. Such compresses should be applied within a few days.
Prevention
There are several methods of prevention against ingrown hairs under the skin:
- To get rid of keratinized skin cells, it is necessary to perform a light peeling before the epilation;
- After performing the hair removal procedure, it is necessary to soften the skin, using a moisturizing cream, and also to apply a remedy that inhibits the growth of vegetation;
- As before the procedure, after it, too, it is required to perform a light peeling procedure, and then repeat it at least twice a week;
- The most tender and sensitive areas of the epidermis should be constantly treated with a solution of salicylic acid or chlorhexidine - they have mild exfoliating properties;
- In order not to provoke ingrowth, after the procedure it is not recommended to put uncomfortable or tight synthetic underwear.
Forecast
The ingrown hair after epilation is not a dangerous problem for health and basically brings only aesthetic discomfort. But it must be taken into account that improper removal of them can lead to infection and development of purulent inflammation. Therefore, to eliminate hairs (especially ingrown deep under the skin) should seek help from specialists.