Removing and preventing ingrown hair

Ingrown hair is a condition where the hair curls back or grows sideways into the skin.  Ingrown hair can affect any part of the body, not just areas that are depilated or epilated in any way.  Usually, they are minor irritations that can be painful and can become infected if left untreated.

Tips to help you get rid of ingrown hair:

•  Exfoliate the area.  This will help to remove any dead skin cells, dirt and oils that might be trapping the ingrown hair.  I suggest using an all-natural sugar scrub!
• Apply a small amount of acne medication; ingrown hair is very similar to a blemish.
• Apply a warm compress for a few minutes to soften the skin and bring the hair to the surface.
• Use a sterile needle or tweezers to gently tease the hair out of the skin.  The warm compress should have brought the hair to the surface.  If it hasn't, do not try to remove the hair.
•  Use a blackhead/comedone extractor.  The comedone extractor is very simple to use.  Just press the tool’s loop on the area around the ingrown hair and press down against the skin.

• Wash the area and apply an antiseptic to provide protection against infection.   

Normally, an ingrown hair corrects itself in its own time.  Try to prevent ingrown hair; by shaving with proper shaving gel/cream, shave with the grain of the hair, use aftershave cream that prevents ingrown hair and exfoliate regularly.  You should also avoid wearing tight clothing on the affected area.

If these methods do not work, consider consulting a dermatologist for advice.

XOXO

Euphrasie85